Igor Shesterkin’s right skate appeared to catch the goalpost as he scrambled back toward his net during a Washington Capitals power play on Friday. His leg bent awkwardly beneath him, and he could not put weight on it as teammates Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson helped him off the ice. Shesterkin had stopped 13 of 14 shots before leaving the Rangers’ 3-1 loss. New York confirmed on Saturday that its star goaltender will miss the rest of the 2026-27 season, leaving the team without its most important player in goal.
New York Rangers must turn to Dylan Garand
New York began the season 4-2-0 after two disappointing campaigns, but its options in net have narrowed sharply. Joonas Korpisalo is expected to miss about a month, putting Dylan Garand in line for a larger role. The 24-year-old made 11 saves after replacing Shesterkin and recently recorded his first NHL shutout against Detroit. In five career appearances, he has a 1.31 goals-against average and a .954 save percentage.
Shesterkin had started the season 3-1, with a 1.79 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. The 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner signed an eight-year, $92 million contract in December 2024.
Captain J.T. Miller said the rest of the team would need to respond to the loss. “It means we got to step up to a man to try to get the job done, especially (Garand),” Miller said.
Shesterkin’s injury history
His latest setback follows several previous absences.
Shesterkin also missed 13 games during 2025-26 with a lower-body problem. He recorded a 25-19-6 record, a 2.50 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in 51 starts as New York missed the playoffs.
Rangers consider their other options in goal
Dylan Garand is not the only option within the organization. Spencer Martin appeared in six NHL games last season, posting a .864 save percentage and a 4.13 GAA. Callum Tung is another possibility after splitting last season between the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack and ECHL’s Bloomington Bison. Tung has a 1.00 GAA and .971 save percentage in two appearances with Hartford this season.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that retired goaltender Jonathan Quick could also be considered if asked. The 40-year-old now serves as New York’s director of goaltending development, and Kaplan reported that “sources believe he could be a possibility.”
Hellebuyck trade could be difficult for Rangers to complete
Experienced goaltenders are limited on the trade market, making it difficult for the Rangers to find a replacement. Connor Hellebuyck is a major name available after requesting a trade from the Winnipeg Jets, but New York may not have enough trade assets to meet general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s demands for a blockbuster deal. Without a trade or an unexpected development involving another goaltender in the organization, the Rangers may have little choice but to rely on Dylan Garand as their main netminder.
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