The New York Rangers have signed the 37-year-old, three-time Stanley Cup Champion, Conn Smythe-winning goalie, Jonathan Quick as an Unrestricted Free Agent.
Jonathan Quick might be toward the end of his career, but signing with the New York Rangers is a childhood dream that is coming true for the NHL veteran goaltender.
Quick grew up as a Rangers fan in Milford, Connecticut, and idolized the legendary net-minder, Mike Richter.
Nearly a decade after defeating his favorite childhood team in the Stanley Cup Final, he will now wear the Ranger red, white and blue.
Say what you will about Quick and his play in recent years, but the Rangers aren't seeking a 1A-1B kind of goaltending duo. Igor Shesterkin will be getting the brunt work in the blue paint and all this team needs is a competent enough backup that can come in and play in 20-25 games.
Quick didn't have the best 2022-23 season, as he skated to a 3.41 GAA along with a .882 SV% between his time with the Los Angeles Kings and the Vegas Golden Knights. But let's not forget that he helped get the Kings back into the playoffs the season before as he boasted a 2.59 GAA and a .910 SV%.
These were his numbers as a starting goaltender, the Rangers aren't asking this of him. He also happened to have finished 7th amongst goaltenders with a +17.8 GSAx. Don't let recency bias get the best of you.
I know what Ranger fans are going to say about this signing "another guy past his prime", but here's the thing, would it be the worst thing in the world to have a guy with Quick's resume be there for Igor Shesterkin when things aren't going well?
We saw Shesterkin have some breakdowns this season and let's not forget this quote from November.
There is no denying the fact that Quick is a winner. He has collected many accolades throughout his career. He is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, a Conn Smythe trophy winner, a two-time Vezina trophy nominee, and an Olympic silver medalist.
Of course, the Rangers aren't getting Quick at the top of his career, but perhaps they want their young goalie prospect, Dylan Garand, to have more time to grow in the minors.
A lot of people are saying that this signing is a downgrade from Jaroslav Halak, but when the Rangers signed him he was essentially at the same age as Quick is, with far fewer accolades. Halak skated to a record of 10-9-5 with a 2.72 GAA and a .903 SV%, if you ask me those are certainly numbers that Quick can surpass.