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The New York Rangers entered the season with a significant advantage in goal: Igor Shesterkin, a bona fide superstar. Ranked as the top netminder in the NHL, Shesterkin is an elite performer between the pipes.
However, the Rangers will not benefit from his talents this year. Shesterkin suffered a lower-body injury on October 9 against the Washington Capitals that was deemed season-ending. This marks the second consecutive season in which Shesterkin has battled injuries, a setback that has altered New York's expectations.
Without him in net, the team's performance has been uneven, with Dylan Garand doing everything possible to keep the Rangers afloat.
Despite his limited availability over the past two seasons, Shesterkin is still trending toward a Hall of Fame career, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com. Rosen compiled a list of players who have logged fewer than 500 games but have shown enough to be regarded among the best to ever play. Shesterkin came in at No. 4 on the list of nine, a ranking that seems justified.
While he won't be adding to his impressive resume this season, a healthy return next season could allow him to continue his ascent among the best goalies in franchise history. Currently, that title belongs to Henrik Lundqvist, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023. Shesterkin has several plateaus and milestones to aim for to reach that level.
Lundqvist is the all-time leader in wins with 459. Shesterkin has a long way to go, with 190 career wins. He hasn't played on as many strong teams, but his impact cannot be overstated. His performance in 2025-26, the second straight season the Rangers missed the playoffs, speaks volumes. Shesterkin went 25-19-6 in a campaign in which New York finished last in the Eastern Conference with only 77 points.
In the postseason, Shesterkin has a record above .500 at 23-20, with a save percentage of .928 and a goals-against average of 2.41. Lundqvist went 61-67 with a .931 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against average. The Hall of Famer was in net for three consecutive runs to the Eastern Conference Finals from 2013 through 2015, with a Stanley Cup appearance in 2014.
The injury certainly hurts, but Shesterkin is on a Hall of Fame trajectory right now. He must prove he can stay healthy to continue trending in the right direction; otherwise, the clock will start ticking on his opportunities to stockpile production and accolades.
Key Analysis
Shesterkin's elite talent is undeniable, but durability concerns are mounting. At 29, he still has time to build a resume worthy of the Hall, but consecutive injury-shortened seasons raise questions about his long-term availability. If he can return to full health, his numbers suggest he could eventually challenge Lundqvist's franchise records. However, the margin for error is shrinking, and the Rangers' recent struggles without him underscore his value to the team.