Avalanche Notebook: Alexandar Georgiev Takes An Old, Familiar Number

Alexandar Georgiev has taken his number with the Colorado Avalanche: 40.

Devan Dubnyk last wore the number. Georgiev will become the 10th player in Avalanche/Nordiques history to wear it. The previous nine: Ron Tugnutt (the best man at Joe Sakic’s wedding), Tony Hrkac, Kevin Kaminski, Brad Larsen, Alex Tanguay, Marek Svatos, Mark Olver, Jeremy Smith and Dubnyk.

We’re still waiting to see what “Georgie’s” new mask looks like. It’s been shipped from its designer, Dave Gunnarsson, to the Avalanche, but it’s up to them to OK it to “Gunner” to post pics of it on his site.

When I think of No. 40, I still picture Alex Tanguay scoring two goals in Game 7 of the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals, and of Svatos scoring goals after deking a guy down the right side. Svatos’ death at such a young age remains a moment of deep sadness.

The number 40 was Georgie’s number with the New York Rangers.

Ryan “We Hardly Knew Ye” Murray signed a free-agent, one-year contract with Edmonton today. Injuries were the problem in Murray’s one season with the Avalanche. I’m still curious to see if his name will be on the Stanley Cup or not.

The unofficial-official rule is: A player needs to play either 41 regular-season games or one game in the Stanley Cup Final to guarantee getting his name on the Cup. Murray did neither, playing 37 regular-season games and none in the postseason.

Special exceptions can be made for some players (one that died, one that had some other major malady) but generally it’s very tough to get such an exception if you didn’t meet the aforementioned requirements. The basic philosophy from the NHL and Hockey Hall of Fame on this is: “Hey, if we make an exception for one player, we’ll have to do it for everyone. Rules are rules.” 

That would be a tough break for Murray, who nonetheless was granted a day with the Cup this summer. Maybe he’ll get his name on it, we’ll see.

Erik Johnson is inviting everyone to come out and see him and the Stanley Cup tomorrow morning in Centennial.