With Igor Shesterkin firmly confirmed as the New York Rangers’ starting goalie for years to come, the Rangers have more pressing needs than adding another goalie to their system. Here’s why I don’t think the Rangers should draft a goalie in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
The Current NHL Goalies
In all, the Rangers have six goaltenders in their system, most of them very young and with a lot of potential. Let’s start with the obvious: Igor Shesterkin, one of the best goalies in the world. This past season, Shesterkin played in 61 games, posting a lackluster 27-29-5 record, with a .905 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.86 goals-against average (GAA). Although those are by far and away the worst statistics of Shesterkin’s career, as the Rangers hopefully improve on this season’s catastrophe, so will their starting netminder.
In the summer of 2023, the Rangers orchestrated one of the best signings of the offseason, bringing in an aging Jonathan Quick to back up the aforementioned Shesterkin. The Connecticut-born goalie was amazing in the 2023-24 season, posting a .911 SV% with a stellar 18-6-2 record. However, this past season, just like Shesterkin, was a down year, as Quick only had a .893 SV% and an abysmal 3.17 GAA, with an 11-7-2 record. Although the Rangers will probably let the aging Quick test free agency in the next offseason, the organization still doesn’t need to draft another goalie, since one of the up-and-coming goalies in the team’s system will take Quick’s place.
Related: Top 3 All-Time Rangers Goalies
Additionally, the Rangers will most likely go and sign a backup goalie in free agency after Quick either retires or leaves the team at the expiration of his contract. Therefore, drafting a goalie will not guarantee that they will be able to play NHL games anytime soon.
The Key Prospects
The Rangers have four goalies who are under 24 years old, all of which I believe have the potential to make the NHL in a few years. Let’s start with the one everyone expects to back up Shesterkin for a long time: Dylan Garand. Drafted 103rd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, he has been one of the best prospects for the Rangers. As the starting goalie for the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Garand put up a very solid .913 SV%, with a 2.73 GAA. It is very possible that we can see Garand in the NHL as early as next season, and I am very excited about that. Although a restricted…
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