Igor Shesterkin to miss remainder of season with New York Rangers

The New York Rangers have announced that star goaltender Igor Shesterkin will miss the rest of the 2026-27 season due to a lower-body injury. The injury occurred during a Friday night game against the Washington Capitals when Shesterkin jammed his right skate into the goalpost while scrambling back into his crease, leaving him unable to put weight on his leg.

This loss significantly impacts the Rangers' goaltending depth. Backup Joonas Korpisalo is also sidelined for approximately four weeks with a lower-body injury, and forward Joe Veleno is expected to miss three months. Consequently, the team will rely on 24-year-old Dylan Garand as the primary starter for the immediate future.

Shesterkin had started the season strongly, posting a 3-1-0 record with a .927 save percentage before the incident. The team may explore trade or free-agent markets to bolster their netminding, with rumors suggesting a potential return from retirement for current goaltending director Jonathan Quick.