BUFFALO – The Sabres will be placing goalie Alexandar Georgiev on waivers today, coach Lindy Ruff said.
Georgiev, who struggled during the preseason, became expendable Monday when the Sabres claimed goalie Colten Ellis, 25, off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.
“When Ellis became available, he’s someone that as an organization we felt really highly about,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said following today’s practice in KeyBank Center.
With No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen injured, Ellis will likely serve as Alex Lyon’s backup early in the season.
Ruff said Georgiev, who signed a one-year, $825,000 contract last month, won’t go on waivers to have his deal terminated.
“I’ve been around him,” said Ruff, who was an assistant coach with the New York Rangers when Georgiev entered the NHL. “He’s a good person. He worked hard. He’s done everything that was asked. Just felt that we couldn’t pass up on this opportunity.
“UPL is feeling better, which is good. He’s progressing. We feel Lyon we’ve a guy that can play also, can help us win games.”
Georgiev posted a 4.17 goals-against average and an .872 save percentage in four preseason games. He did not practice today.
The Sabres want to keep goalie prospect Devon Levi with the Rochester Americans.