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The New York Rangers are set to utilize long-term injured reserve after learning that their No. 1 goaltender, Igor Shesterkin, will be sidelined for the rest of the season with a knee injury. According to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, the team has placed the star netminder on standard LTIR rather than season-ending LTIR.
That designation grants New York an additional $3.97MM in cap space. The Rangers could gain relief from the full $11.57MM cap hit of Shesterkin by shifting him to season-ending LTIR. Such a move could be executed at any point this year, but it would prevent Shesterkin from being activated at any point during the 2026-27 season.
The Dallas Stars took a comparable approach when Tyler Seguin suffered a season-ending knee injury in December 2025. He was initially placed on standard LTIR, then moved to season-ending LTIR in late February. That maneuver netted them roughly $6MM in extra cap space just one week before the Trade Deadline.
In a corresponding transaction, New York has recalled Spencer Martin from the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack. This will complete the Rangers' goalie room with backup Joonas Korpisalo also out due to injury. The Rangers will proceed with Dylan Garand and Martin, a tandem that began the season filling out the AHL lineup.
Garand will get the first opportunity at the starting role. He has appeared in two NHL games this season after being called up to replace the injured Korpisalo. Garand has a 1-1-0 record and a .971 save percentage (SV%) in those matchups, continuing strong play in a Rangers jersey after setting a 2-0-1 record and .948 SV% in the first three games of his NHL career last season.
He has received the lion's share of Hartford's starts over the last three seasons, though he never appeared in more than 40 games. Garand's 65-57-19 record and .901 SV% through 148 games, and five seasons, in the AHL made him New York's third-string goaltender headed into the 2026-27 season.
Martin also received a handful of appearances with New York last season. He recorded a 1-3-0 record and .864 SV% across six games. He has also appeared in NHL action with the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Carolina Hurricanes. Across his career, Martin has recorded a 25-33-8 record and .881 SV% in 72 games at the top flight. He has also recorded a 117-106-34 record and .903 SV% in 267 games, and 11 seasons, in the AHL.
The 2013 draft pick will offer a veteran presence behind the rookie Garand. Martin has only appeared in more than 40 games in one of his 11 seasons in the pros. With Garand also unfamiliar with a heavy workload, the Rangers could be forced to seek out another goaltender on the trade market. Any newcomer would need to step back when 2022 Vezina Trophy-winner Shesterkin returns next season.
Key Analysis
The Rangers' decision to place Shesterkin on standard LTIR rather than season-ending LTIR provides immediate cap relief while keeping the door open for a potential return during the 2026-27 season. This mirrors the Stars' handling of Seguin, which maximized flexibility and cap space. With both Shesterkin and Korpisalo injured, New York turns to Garand and Martin, an inexperienced duo that could prompt the team to explore trade options. Garand's strong NHL numbers in limited action offer hope, but his workload in the AHL suggests he may need support. Martin's veteran presence provides a steady backup, but his career save percentage is modest. The Rangers' playoff hopes may hinge on how well this makeshift tandem performs and whether management can acquire additional goaltending depth.
Originally reported by yardbarker.