The Buffalo Sabres have signed veteran netminder Alexandar Georgiev to a one-year, one-way contract valued at $825,000. The announcement of the signing comes with word that Sabres netminder Ukko-Pekka-Luukonen has an injury and that no timetable has been set for his return.
The Georgiev deal signals that the Sabres are concerned about Luukonen’s availability. The start of the season is rapidly approaching, and Buffalo can ill afford a question mark at the goaltending position. The plan to start the 25-26 campaign had Luukonen sharing the Sabres crease with newly signed free agent Alex Lyon, while young talent Devon Levi would be available for spot duty in Buffalo; he was set to continue his development in Rochester with the Amerks.
Overworked And Shipped To The Sharks
Georgiev’s play has fallen off significantly in the past year. He split time last season with the Colorado Avalanche and the San Jose Sharks, recording just fifteen victories in forty-nine games played. The native of Bulgaria has played in 119 regular-season games from 2023 to 2025. He recorded a career-best 40-win season with the Avs in 2022-2023 and followed that with a thirty-eight win showing in 23-24.
While postseason struggles derailed his career in Colorado, it remains possible he could deliver a bounce-back season with the Sabres. Georgiev and Lyon will be called upon to shoulder the goaltending load should Luukonen remain on the sidelines. With so much riding on this season in Buffalo, a strong start out of the gate remains a must. Improvement in netminding and goals against will be key if the Sabres are to reverse their fortunes and push for a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
With the future of general manager Kevyn Adams hanging in the balance, the signing of Georgiev may be far more significant than just a depth insurance policy.
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