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Top Five Goalies That the Toronto Maple Leafs Could Trade For

By Jarrett Noakes

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 12: Toronto Maple Leafs logo pictured at centre ice at the Scotiabank Arena on January 12, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 12: Toronto Maple Leafs logo pictured at centre ice at the Scotiabank Arena on January 12, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 23: New York Rangers Goalie Alexandar Georgiev (40) makes a save on Toronto Maple Leafs Left Wing Andreas Johnsson (18) during the regular season NHL game between the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs on March 23, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 23: New York Rangers Goalie Alexandar Georgiev (40) makes a save on Toronto Maple Leafs Left Wing Andreas Johnsson (18) during the regular season NHL game between the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs on March 23, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Alexandar Georgiev

Alexandar Georgiev has an opportunity to be a special goaltender in the NHL. The 23-year-old has posted a career .914 SV% in 64 games with the New York Rangers over the past three seasons. His statistics have undoubtedly been suppressed by a struggling Rangers team.

In fact, Georgiev has faced the highest shot quality in the NHL since his rookie season. In his young career, the difference between his xSV% and his actual SV% ranks third in the entire NHL, just behind John Gibson.

Georgiev appears to be the most likely victim of the three-headed goalie problem in New York, with Henrik Lundqvist and highly valued prospect, Igor Shestyorkin being the most likely suitors to stay with the club long-term.

The team that manages to pry Georgiev from the Rangers may look back at the trade as the biggest steal of the trade deadline, much the same way that the Leafs look back at their trade for Frederik Andersen in 2016 when he was the odd man out with the Anaheim Ducks.

Georgiev holds a cap hit under $800K and is a restricted free agent at the end of this season. He is the strongest long-term backup solution available to the Toronto Maple Leafs and would give the Leafs significant leverage in contract negotiations with Frederik Andersen after next season.

dark. Next. Leafs Top 10 Prospects

Georgiev’s blend of skill, youth, obtainability and cap control solidifies him as the top goaltending trade target for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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