When the Buffalo Sabres signed veteran Alex Lyon in free agency, they appeared to have solidified the goaltending position.

Lyon would back up Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Buffalo, while Devon Levi would return to the Rochester Americans for another year of development.

So, why did the Sabres on Thursday night, a week before training camp opens, sign veteran goalie Alexandar Georgiev to a one-year, $825,000 contract?

It’s possible one of their goalies suffered a long-term injury. Or perhaps they simply want to beef up the position. Two rookies – Topias Leinonen and Scott Ratzlaff – are expected to compete for the No. 2 job in Rochester.

Georgiev, having played 303 NHL games with three teams over the last eight seasons, is now the Sabres’ most experienced goalie.

While the Bulgarian, 29, has enjoyed success as a starter – in 2022-23, he compiled a 40-16-6 record and posted a .919 save percentage for the Colorado Avalanche – there are reasons he lasted 10 weeks on the open market.

He endured a brutal season last year, compiling a 15-26-4 record with a 3.71 goals-against average and an .875 save percentage in 49 total games with the heavyweight Colorado Avalanche and hapless San Jose Sharks.

On Dec. 3 in Buffalo, he allowed four goals on eight shots in the opening 11 minutes, 49 seconds before the Avalanche pulled him from a game they rallied to win 5-4.

Six days later, he was traded to San Jose in a deal that sent goalie Mackenzie Blackwood to Colorado.

The 6-foot-1, 178-pound Georgiev enjoyed his best days with the Avalanche. In 2022-23, he also registered a 2.51 goals-against average and five shutouts in 62 games.

Despite being named to the NHL All-Star game the next season, he slumped, compiling a 38-18-5 mark with a 3.02 goals-against average, an .897 save percentage and two shutouts in 63 games.

The undrafted Georgiev has compiled a 151-108-26 record with a 2.99 goals-against average, a .903 save percentage and 15 shutouts over his NHL career.

He spent four seasons with the New York Rangers after they signed him in 2017.

– The Sabres play the New Jersey Devils tonight in their Prospects Challenge rookie tournament opener at LECOM Harborcenter.