GEORGIEV GOES TO COLORADO
The Colorado Avalanche acquired goaltender Alexandar Georgiev from the New York Rangers for a third-round draft pick in 2022 (No. 97 overall), a fifth-round draft pick in 2022 (No. 161 overall) and a third-round draft pick in 2023.
What does it give the Colorado Avalanche
This is an interesting trade because Colorado just won the Stanley Cup, but they decided to make a change at goaltender anyway. Darcy Kuemper will now test the unrestricted free agent market and Georgiev will step into his shoes. The 26-year-old Georgiev has some untapped upside, which is why the Avalanche are acquiring him here. He is currently a restricted free agent, and Colorado does not have a lot of cap space. Therefore, look for the two sides to settle for a short term, prove-it deal.
What does it give the New York Rangers
For the Rangers, getting three draft picks for their backup goaltender (who had asked for a trade and was on the way out anyway) is good asset management. The Rangers have Igor Shesterkin as their franchise goalkeeper, so look for New York to go for a cheap backup this off-season. This trade seems to satisfy everybody involved: Colorado, Georgiev, New York and Shesterkin. The Blueshirts now have six draft picks this year and get back a third-round pick for 2023, since theirs had already been traded away.
Fantasy impact
Georgiev's fantasy stock skyrockets after this trade, as he goes from a little-used backup behind Shesterkin to the probably starter on the defending champs. His main competition will come from Pavel Francouz, whose fantasy stock also rises quite a bit after this deal. Meanwhile, Kuemper's stock dips a bit.
