What’s Next for Igor Shesterkin?

Igor Shesterkin brought a breath of fresh air to Madison Square Garden during a recent victory against the Devils, lifting the spirits of his teammates after a notable altercation with goaltender Jacob Markstrom in his debut game.

He played like the Vezina Trophy winner from two years ago, allowing just one goal in consecutive games and helping the Rangers secure their first three home victories of the season. It’s a remarkable turnaround that has him positioned as a cornerstone for the future amidst a potential team shake-up.

However, there’s some uncertainty surrounding his backup, Jonathan Quick. At 40, he’s a free agent after a lackluster season in New York, marked by a 5-16-2 record and a goals against average of 3.19. On the other hand, Dylan Garland, a 23-year-old rookie, has made a promising start with a 1-0-1 record and a 1.44 GAA.

You might think it would be smart to give more starts to a rookie in this challenging season, but head coach Mike Sullivan appears hesitant to do so at the expense of a seasoned veteran.

“We’ll make choices based on what we believe is best for all three goalies,” Sullivan mentioned after practice. “Clearly, Shesterkin is our top choice. He’s essential to our future plans. Quick offers leadership in the locker room, and Dylan has shown us something special in his two starts, which makes us optimistic about his future.”

There’s a lot to think about. Is it worth giving Garand another chance? Absolutely. Sullivan acknowledged that both performance and long-term goals play a role in decision-making. “It’s hard to say how much a few more starts could really tell us about evaluating Dylan, but what I see so far is promising. He’s competitive, he has a love for the game, and we appreciate what he brings to the table.”

Garland could be set to start again on Thursday against the Canadiens as the Rangers attempt to build on their season-high four-game winning streak. He performed well last Friday, stopping 27 of 28 shots for his first career win against the Blackhawks. Meanwhile, Quick, who hasn’t played since a rough outing against the Devils, is nearing a return from an upper-body injury. Sullivan seems keen to get the accomplished American goaltender back for possibly one last season.

And then there’s Shesterkin, who remains eager for more action.

“Looking ahead, Shesterkin wants to be in the game because he genuinely loves playing hockey,” Sullivan remarked. “His desire to play is clear, and with only seven games left, everyone is keen to make the most of the opportunities available.”