Can Igor Shesterkin Save The New York Rangers This Season?

Igor Shesterkin (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

The New York Rangers made goaltender Igor Shesterkin the highest-paid goalie in NHL history in December, but he hasn't played like it.

Even after the Rangers started the season 14-12-1, they have since gone 14-13-3 to have a mediocre 28-25-4 record. Shesterkin is by no means the only player not meeting expectations for them this season, but his .903 save percentage and 2.98 goals-against average are career worsts.

Do the New York Rangers need another defenseman before the trade deadline?

The Rangers need help if they want to sneak into the Stanley Cup playoffs and rebound next season. Shesterkin stealing some games and living up to the new contract would be a big help.

Shesterkin recently said his play has been "not good so far." That's also a good description of six of his past seven appearances, where Shesterkin has posted a save percentage of .885 or worse.

Shesterkin looked more like his old self in Sunday's win over the sad-sack Pittsburgh Penguins, posting a .925 save percentage. He did have back-to-back shutouts on Jan. 18 and Jan. 21 against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators, respectively.

Even after that, the Rangers are two points behind the Senators for the second and final wild-card spot, but the Boston Bruins and Blue Jackets are ahead of the Rangers in the standings.

Shesterkin hasn't been particularly bad overall. But when you take into account his $11.5-million cap hit that kicks in for the next eight seasons, you absolutely need him to be a needle-mover and a difference-maker in a way he hasn't been this year.

Even if the Rangers fail to make the playoffs this season, another good performance from Shesterkin down the stretch would at least give fans reason for optimism over the summer and at the beginning of next year.

When you're generally acknowledged as one of the top netminders on the planet – and when you're paid as such – you have to be dominant on the regular.

Rangers fans have every right to expect more from Shesterkin. The way he responds in the next few weeks and months will dictate the Rangers' fortunes.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Comments5

0/3000

You are not logged in, but may comment anonymously. Anonymous comments will only be published with admin approval.

Sort byTop

FastEddieFelson·Feb 26, 2025

Igor is overrated. He plays much too low to be a good butterfly goaltender. He is beaten up high too often. He's no Mike Richter.

Show reactors

AdamProteau·Feb 27, 2025

I don't think Shesterkin has forgotten how to be a good goalie. He's now playing behind a far worse Rangers defense corps, so he's not getting much help.

Show reactors

anonymous·Feb 26, 2025

Shersterkin is a big part of the problem. He and Drury have contributed the most to undermining the morale of the Rangers. How many goals has Shersterkin allowed within the first two minutes of a game? And he’s being paid what?

Show reactors

AdamProteau·Feb 27, 2025

He definitely hass to own his share of the blame. But he's not the key culprit in the Rangers' struggles. When his salary spikes next year, the heat will ratchet up on him. But right now, Shesterkin deserves a bit of the benefit of the doubt.

Show reactors

JonathanTovell·Feb 25, 2025

When looking at some of the advanced stats, Shesterkin has 10.2 goals saved above expected, according to moneypuck.com. So he's stopping what any goalie is expected to stop and a little more, but he only ranks 19th in that regard. There's a new standard for him. (Jeremy Swayman, who re-signed with the Bruins just before the season, ranks 44th among goalies with at least 10 games with minus-1.6 goals saved above expected.)

Show reactors