Alexander Georgiev, a 29-year-old goaltender with Russian and Bulgarian roots, has inked a two-year deal with Spartak Moscow, a KHL team, as announced on Tuesday. This announcement came just two days after he and the Buffalo Sabres mutually agreed to terminate his contract, fueling speculation that he planned to return to play hockey in Russia.
This season, Georgiev only appeared in two AHL games with the Rochester Americans, both resulting in losses, with a goals-against average of 3.57 and a save percentage of .896. Although born in Bulgaria, Georgiev moved to Russia as a child, and this marks his first time playing in the KHL as well as his first stint in a Russian league since 2014 at age 18. Between ages 18 and 21, he competed in Finland, primarily for TPS Turku, participating in 54 regular season and playoff games in the Liiga and 3 Champions Hockey League matches.
Despite never being drafted by an NHL team, Georgiev signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers in 2017. From then until 2025, he took part in 303 NHL regular season games, playing for the Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, and San Jose Sharks. He amassed a record of 151-108-26 including 15 shutouts, with a goals-against average of 2.99 and a .903 save percentage. In playoff action, he played 20 games, compiling a 9-10 record, a 2.72 average, and a .904 save percentage.
Georgiev now joins Spartak Moscow, which holds the seventh spot in the KHL’s Western Conference, boasting a 14-12-3 record over 29 games. Spartak’s squad includes former NHL players Adam Ruzicka and Christian Jarosz from Slovakia, and Georgiev likely shares some parallels with 30-year-old Artyom Zagidulin, who played a single game with the Calgary Flames in 2021.
Fan Take: Georgiev’s move back to the KHL highlights the increasing fluidity between North American and European hockey leagues, offering players fresh opportunities and fans exciting talent shifts. For hockey enthusiasts, this signals a dynamic global landscape where skilled players can impact the sport across continents, enhancing competition and viewership worldwide.
