Three things: I wouldn’t count on us pulling a Talbot or a Raanta out of thin air this season. Just because we have in the past doesn’t mean we can at the drop of a hat. Two- don’t be shocked when Georgiev starts for a team some season. Another, if not ours. Three- no one in our system has shown the promise that Georgiev has. Maybe Shesty is better. But outside of him- Huska, Wall, Lindbom, nothing. Not yet. And that’s it.
I mean, all those things are reasonable to believe for sure. But first, I don't really care what happens this season. If we are the worst team in the league because we aren't able to manufacture a quality platoon goalie, that's fine with me. Second, I agree, I wouldn't be shocked if Georgiev ends up as a Raanta or Talbot level goalie and starts for someone eventually. Third, but Georgiev didn't show the promise he had until he basically did it here in the pros. He was not some high end prospect we were all counting on. He developed from similar or worse pedigree to the guys we have in the pipeline now. Allaire has a track record of getting these guys able to contribute in the pros.
Whether it is wise or not, Lundqvist will continue to at least get split starts with some goalie here for the foreseeable future. There is no goalie in the next season or two who is going to relegate Hank to permanent backup. That means there is at least that 2 year window or so for the organization to develop another high-end backup/low-end starter caliber goalie from our prospect pool before we'd feel any real loss. That's especially true when you take into consideration that if we DID feel the sting from having traded Georgiev, it only improves our draft positioning anyway.
If, in two years, Shestyorkin hasn't become a solid starter or better, or alternatively, if Wall, Huska or Lindbom hasn't developed into a near-peer of Georgiev, that is when we'd really be missing having him. So that's the real "risk" of trading him. That in two years, we're missing a low end replacement level starting goalie. Not a big risk -especially when you consider the pretty decent likelihood (in comparison to other clubs) that one of our prospects pans out.
You also have to weigh that risk of loss with what you're getting back -- which, again, I'm not saying trade him for peanuts. -- but if you include him in a package gets you a valuable asset, like one of the forwards you covet in this draft, then you are probably still coming out way ahead. Mid or low level starting goalie, or securing a top 6 center? Seems like a no brainer.
Keep in mind the hypothetical I was addressing was a package of Kreider and Georgiev to include a return of the 8th overall pick, which I would assume we would do if Zegras, Cozens, or another top center we like was still on the board. If we're getting a guy like that, I'm not really worried about how I will replace Georgiev's 30-40 starts for the coming years. It will either be Shestyorkin, Wall, Huska, Lindbom (all of who I feel good about), or, I'll go find someone else. Give me that top center!
If we are shopping Georgiev and someone only offers us a second rounder, well, that's another story. Don't move him just to move him.
Not yet at least. The time may come if Shestyorkin explodes that we may have to move Georgiev just to free up room for Prince Igor.
