A player rarely reveals that his team won’t be re-signing him immediately following the season’s completion, but that is what Alexandar Georgiev said after the final San Jose Sharks game on Wednesday.
“I’ve already had a conversation with the GM, and he said they’re going with a different group for next year,” Georgiev said postgame. “I know that I’ll be a part of a different team, and at least that’s good to know. I have a new challenge.”
Georgiev says that he and Grier have already met and Grier told him that the #SJSharks won’t be retaining him. Georgiev will be a UFA
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) April 17, 2025
The Sharks acquired Georgiev in the Mackenzie Blackwood trade with the Colorado Avalanche. Nikolai Kovalenko was also part of the deal that sent Blackwood to Colorado.
It was a very tough season for Georgiev. The former New York Rangers netminder struggled before the trade.
In 31 games with the Sharks, Georgiev had seven wins, a .875 save percentage, and a 3.88 GAA. His save percentage was actually .001 higher with the Sharks than with the Avalanche.
Georgiev is still thankful for the Sharks & their fans
The San Jose Sharks netminder could’ve easily been upset and angry publicly about being told he was not returning so fast, but he chose not to.
Georgiev thanked goalie coach Thomas Speer and the fans. He explained that he received a massive gift bag from a Sharks fan following the morning skate on Wednesday.
“It’s incredible. Honestly, [I’ve] been so impressed with how dedicated the fans are. We had such a tough season, losing a lot, and then you come up to the gym after a game at like 11 PM, and you leave the rink and there are big crowds waiting just for an autograph or just a picture and just saying hi, it’s kind of crazy,” Georgiev said. “At the practice rink, too. A lot of fans are waiting and giving us gifts. I got a book today, a Lego set, candy, and whatnot. It was too big of a bag to tell what else was there. It’s pretty crazy.”
cries georgie mentioned my gift from this morning…i’m gonna be mourning for the next few days don’t talk to me https://t.co/e3LAiSDuCO pic.twitter.com/jTpmJwkymM
— iris 🦈 (@404error_iris) April 17, 2025
Despite playing just about half the season with the Sharks, the love and dedication the fans gave him will be something he will take away from his time with San Jose.
“They’re very dedicated. You can tell they’re big, big Sharks fans for life. Not just hockey fans, like [Logan Couture] said yesterday,” Georgeiv said. “You can tell the city cares about the team. Stuck with the team even in tough times.”
Georgiev and the San Jose Sharks didn’t have a great marriage, but he gave his all for the team he played for. His effort and dedication can’t be ignored, especially after the situation he was thrust into following the trade.
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