Colorado Avalanche 2024-25 Player Projections: Alexandar Georgiev – The Hockey Writers – Colorado Avalanche

For the Colorado Avalanche, it’s been ages since they won the Stanley Cup in 2022. Elimination at the hands of the Dallas Stars in the playoffs last spring would have been fresher had it not been for a season fraught with questions.

However, one aspect of a team you can rely on can be the difference between competing and fighting. Alexandar Georgiev will be heavily supported, but the final year of his contract will be fraught with even greater uncertainty. What could be his last season with the Avalanche, what awaits Georgiev?

How Georgiev’s 2023–24 season went

On paper, it’s hard to ask for more than Georgiev brought to the team a season ago. He was the undisputed workhorse, starting 62 of 82 games. He compiled a record of 38-18-5, leading the NHL in wins.

If you want to be picky, his goals average (3.02) and save percentage (.897) were among the worst of his career (he never had a worse save percentage and only twice finished with a higher GAA). In the regular season, such things matter less.

In the playoffs, when the Avalanche needed him to step up, Georgiev couldn’t. He finished with a career-low .894 SV% in the playoffs and a career-worst 2.85 GAA. His performance wasn’t bad by any means, but it highlighted a major problem for Georgiev and the Avalanche.

What the avalanche needs from Georgiev

It’s simple what the team needs from him. They need big offensive contributions from the likes of Casey Mittelstadt and will rely on one of the best defenses in the NHL. At worst, Georgiev will be a solid if unspectacular option in net.

Related: The Colorado Avalanche may face cap issues as the season progresses

Justus Annunen appears to be waiting for help, whether it be on skill merits or a flexible contract is up for debate. Going into the 2024-25 season, the Avalanche need Georgiev to remain a solid and consistent presence in net.

If he can start the match well, his play could help solve the problems that the midfield is struggling with. Goals can be hard to come by early on, so Georgiev’s stellar play could help the Avalanche stay competitive until reinforcements arrive – Artturi Lehkonen, Gabriel Landeskog and possibly Valeri Nichushkin.

Projections for 2024–25

Even with holes in the lineup, Avalanche should still be formidable. They have enough offensive firepower to keep up with the strong teams in the Central Division, even if it takes some time for the names mentioned to return. For this reason, look for more of the same from Georgiev.

It’s unlikely he’ll match his 2022-23 season, the best of his career. He won 40 games and had a .918 SV% and 2.53 GAA – the best results of his career. It may be difficult for him to get back to nearly 40 wins simply due to Annunen’s expected deployment.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Georgiev breaks the 35-win mark again. He likely won’t come close to his 2022-23 benchmarks, but something in the .910 SV%/2.75 GAA range seems likely. It should also be more than good enough to at least keep the Avalanche within striking distance of the Stars, Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators in the Central.

Could this be a swan song?

Given the uncertainty facing the Avalanche and cap situation, many predict this will be Georgiev’s last year in Denver. This is the final year of his already very team-friendly three-year, $10.2 million contract. He will receive a healthy increase in his $3.4 million salary per season.

Georgiev should not be asked to play over 60 games again this season, especially if all eyes are on Annunen and the future. Still, in a contract year, it wouldn’t be surprising if the 27-year-old Russian goalkeeper had a truly stellar season.

If this is indeed the case for Georgiev in an Avalanche uniform, this could be his chance to take the team to the next level. His playoff performance could determine the type of contract he receives next, so a deep playoff hit will benefit him as much as the team.