Rangers Assess Goaltending Options After Shesterkin Injury
The Rangers are dealing with a season-ending leg injury to starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin. They placed him on long-term injured reserve, creating about $3.97 million in cap space, while backup Joonas Korpisalo is also expected to miss a month. New York is expected to explore external goalie options, though a trade for Connor Hellebuyck is viewed as unrealistic.
New York lost Igor Shesterkin to a season-ending leg injury suffered Friday against Washington. Placing him on long-term injured reserve creates roughly $3.97 million in space, calculated from last season’s average league salary rather than his $11.6 million cap hit. Backup Joonas Korpisalo is expected to miss about a month with a lower-body injury, and Spencer Martin was recalled to support Dylan Garand.
Possible short-term fixes include free agents Peter Mrazek, Matt Murray, and James Reimer. Trade candidates mentioned are Jordan Binnington, John Gibson, Darcy Kuemper, Anton Forsberg, Arturs Silovs, and Sam Montembeault. A Connor Hellebuyck deal is seen as unrealistic because his $8.5 million contract through 2030-31 would combine with Shesterkin’s for over $20 million.
The Rangers’ goaltending uncertainty could affect fans, teammates, and opposing teams in the short term. If New York struggles, playoff hopes may shift, altering ticket demand, media attention, and fan mood in the New York area. Backup and replacement goalies could face unusual pressure and opportunity. The situation may also influence how other clubs value goalie depth and injury insurance.