December 19th 2024.
In the whirlwind world of the NHL, trades are a common occurrence, but it doesn't make them any less chaotic for the players involved. Take Alexandar Georgiev, for example. He was traded on a Monday and found himself playing for his new team, the San Jose Sharks, just 72 hours later. It was a blur of logistics and text messages as he tried to navigate his way through the sudden change.
Georgiev had been the starting goaltender for the Colorado Avalanche for two and a half seasons before the trade. In an instant, everything had changed. Amidst the flurry of introductions and farewells, he found some time to reflect on the situation. "I thought about it the evening after I got traded," he shared with The Denver Post, "and the number that stood out for me was probably 95 wins in two years and two months. That's a lot of good hockey."
The Avalanche had acquired Georgiev shortly after winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, but with their tendency to not spend a lot of salary cap space on goaltenders, they made the decision to move on from him after his contract year. Despite a strong first season and an up-and-down second year, Georgiev's performance in his contract year fell short of expectations. And so, in a span of just 10 days, he found himself being traded to the Sharks along with Nikolai Kovalenko and a second-round pick for Mackenzie Blackwood and Givani Smith.
Georgiev admitted that he didn't have too many emotions about the trade, as it was simply a decision made by management. "You do your job, they do theirs, and you have to accept it," he said. He had been planning to continue helping the Avalanche fight for a playoff spot and another Stanley Cup, but now he was focused on starting a new chapter with the Sharks.
Despite his struggles in his final year with the Avalanche, Georgiev has found a fresh start with the Sharks and has already made two starts for his new team. His coach, Ryan Warsofsky, praised his competitiveness and quick reflexes, saying that he gave the team a chance to win in both games.
However, this new challenge also comes with its own set of uncertainties. The Sharks are a young team on the rise, but it may take some time for them to reach their full potential. And with the presence of Yaroslav Askarov, a highly-touted young goalie, and Evgeni Nabokov, a legendary Russian goaltender, in the Sharks' organization, the future is uncertain for Georgiev.
But for now, he is focused on the present and making the most of his time with the Sharks. "The future is what's most important now," he said. "There will be more time to reflect on the past once the future is settled."
Georgiev looks back on his time with the Avalanche with fondness, describing it as a "great group of guys" and a team with high expectations. "It felt like we were fighting for something special," he recalled. "That's what I loved about it." And while he is excited for his new opportunity with the Sharks, he will always cherish the experience of winning and being part of a team that was constantly striving for the ultimate goal - the Stanley Cup.
The future may be uncertain for Georgiev, but he remains positive and grateful for the experiences he has had so far in his career. "Winning is so much fun," he said, "and being in a position with a really, really good team and having that opportunity every night is just incredible. I'm happy I got to experience that, and I will experience that on another team again."
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