Alexandar Georgiev Terminates KHL Deal, Eyes NHL Comeback

Alexandar Georgiev is taking a bold step in his quest to return to the NHL, having officially terminated his contract with KHL Spartak. This decision opens the door for a potential comeback after a tumultuous journey that has seen him navigate three different leagues in less than two seasons.

According to a league announcement, Georgiev’s agent, Stanislav Romanov, confirmed that the goaltender is focused on re-establishing himself in North America for the upcoming season. This marks another chapter in Georgiev’s career as he aims to regain the form that once made him a prominent figure in the NHL.

Not too long ago, Georgiev was riding high, solidifying his status as a full-time starter with the Colorado Avalanche. During the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, he excelled, leading the NHL with 38 wins in 2023-24 and tying for the league lead in victories the previous season. His performance briefly positioned him among the league’s most productive goaltenders.

However, that momentum took a downturn during his final stretch in Colorado. In the 2024-25 season, Georgiev posted an 8-7-0 record alongside a 3.38 goals-against average and a .874 save percentage over 18 games. A subsequent trade to the San Jose Sharks exacerbated his struggles, where he recorded a 7-19-4 record with a 3.88 GAA and a .875 save percentage across 31 games.

His decline in the NHL significantly altered his market standing. Georgiev signed a one-year, $850K deal with the Buffalo Sabres just before training camp, but after clearing waivers and playing only two games with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, his time with the organization ended swiftly.

Seeking a fresh start, Georgiev made the move to Spartak in the KHL, where he demonstrated more consistent performance, finishing with a 2.37 GAA and a .918 save percentage over 24 games. While these numbers are respectable, they have not fully restored his status as a starting goaltender in the NHL.

As Georgiev heads back into free agency, he will find a goaltending market led by established names like Sergei Bobrovsky and Stuart Skinner. With many of the remaining options likely to serve as backups, Georgiev is expected to be viewed primarily as organizational depth, with teams weighing his past successes against his recent struggles in North America.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.