Less than two weeks ago, Alexandar Georgiev was still seeking a team for the upcoming NHL season. The 29-year-old goaltender, who played 303 NHL games and split last season between Colorado and San Jose, remained an unrestricted free agent until the Buffalo Sabres signed him to a one-year contract on September 11. This move came as starting goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen began training camp sidelined with a lower-body injury.
“It was a long offseason, for sure, but I was waiting for an opportunity to open up in the best spot,” Georgiev said. “The Sabres had an opportunity here, so I’m very excited to be with the group.”
On Monday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Georgiev stopped all 16 shots he faced over two periods as the Sabres defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0 in their preseason opener. Buffalo struggled early and was outshot 8-4 in the first period, but Georgiev’s performance kept them competitive.
“I thought he gave us a couple really good saves, until we kind of got grounded in that first period,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “And I think that’s what you need your goaltender to do. You’re not always going to win every period; you’re going to give up some stuff, and if your goaltender can keep you in there, it gives you a chance to win hockey games.”
After a scoreless first period, Buffalo scored twice in the second and finished with a 31-14 shot advantage over the final two periods. Devon Levi replaced Georgiev for the third period and made six saves.
“I thought we took the game over,” Ruff added.
Georgiev has accumulated 151 career wins and led the league in victories during both the 2022-23 (40) and 2023-24 (38) seasons. He is aiming to reestablish himself among top NHL goalies.
“Obviously (want to) get back to where I’m one of the better goalies in the league,” Georgiev said. “Played a lot of games, got to an All-Star (Game); I feel like this is my level, and I want to get back to that – and be a big part of getting to the playoffs here.”
Buffalo’s coaching staff had previously expressed confidence in their existing goalie lineup of Luukkonen and Alex Lyon at the NHL level with Levi developing further in Rochester. However, if Georgiev returns to form it could create difficult roster decisions ahead of opening night.
“He’s just got to use this platform,” Ruff said about Georgiev. “I think it’s an opportunity for him to say, ‘I can be a goaltender that can really help you guys out.’ Every opportunity that he gets is a statement that he’s gonna make to us.”
Bowen Byram opened scoring early in the second period with help from rookie Radim Mrtka, who recorded his first NHL assist during his debut game at age 18. Byram praised his new defensive partner: “He’s a good player, man… He can skate, he’s a big body, he can shoot the puck, sees the ice well. So, it was fun playing with him. He’s going to be a really good player.”
Forward Joshua Dunne brought energy late in the first by fighting Columbus’ Max McCue following an offensive-zone faceoff—his second fight since joining Buffalo last season.
“He did a heck of a job …the guys were fired up,” Ruff said regarding Dunne’s effort on Monday night. “The game in Florida when he got in the altercation, same thing. I think he’s a guy that will try to do anything to make an impression on a team.”
Dunne played alongside Tyson Kozak and Mason Geertsen; their line contributed heavily on Byram’s goal while also creating additional scoring chances throughout their shifts.
Other scorers included Beck Malenstyn (second-period goal), Jack Quinn (empty netter), and Konsta Helenius (final-minute tally).
New signing Justin Danforth won nine out of twelve faceoffs during his unofficial Sabres debut; overall Buffalo won just under half its draws Monday night but Danforth is expected play an important role as bottom-six forward next season.
“He’s a very versatile guy that can play the wing, can take faceoffs on right side – I think he won every D-zone faceoff that we put him out there for,” Ruff commented about Danforth’s contribution at center ice.“And just a heady player does right thing at right time.”
Danforth skated with Malenstyn and Peyton Krebs—a combination likely seen again during regular season play.
The Sabres will host Columbus again Tuesday night at KeyBank Center with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m., available via stream on Sabres.com.
