The New York Rangers confirmed on Saturday that Igor Shesterkin, the 30‑year‑old netminder who signed an eight‑year, $92 million contract in December 2024, is out for the remainder of the 2026‑27 NHL season. Shesterkin suffered a lower‑body injury early in the first period of Friday’s 3‑1 loss to the Washington Capitals when his right skate struck the post while he was repositioning after a save.
Video replay showed Shesterkin’s leg bending awkwardly as the skate hit the post during a scramble in the Rangers’ zone. He was unable to put weight on his right leg and was helped off the ice by teammates. The injury was described by the team as “scary” and “devastating.”
Coach and captain react
Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan said, “It’s concerning, obviously. He’s an elite goaltender, and you don’t ever want to see anybody get hurt, but he’s an important player for us.” Captain J.T. Miller added, “He’s a pillar of this team. It stinks. … It’s a shock to all of us, but it also means we have to step up and get the job done, especially Dyland Garand.”
Impact on the roster
Backup goaltender Dyland Garand took over for Shesterkin in the Capitals game and will now assume a larger role moving forward. The Rangers are also dealing with other goalie concerns: Joonas Korpisalo is expected to miss another month, and Spencer Martin of the AHL Hartford affiliate is listed as day‑to‑day.
It remains unclear whether the organization will look outside its system for a replacement, but the depth chart will be a focal point as the Rangers continue their season.
Season context
New York entered the 2026‑27 campaign with a hot start, winning four straight games after an opening loss to the Boston Bruins. During that stretch, Shesterkin posted a .927 save percentage, allowing just five goals on 109 shots. However, the team’s recent performance follows a difficult 2025‑26 season in which the Rangers finished at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with a 34‑39‑9 record and 77 points, far behind the league‑leading Carolina Hurricanes, who amassed 113 points.
The loss of Shesterkin is a significant blow to the Rangers’ playoff aspirations, but the organization hopes the remaining goaltenders can rise to the challenge and keep the team competitive in the tightly contested Eastern Conference.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
