Igor Shesterkin Stands as New York Rangers' Elite Anchor
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Despite a last-place finish in the Eastern Conference last season, the Rangers' star goaltender continues to produce at a world-class level.
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin remains the primary catalyst for a team seeking to return to the Eastern Conference playoff picture, according to reporting from Sports Illustrated.
Coming off a season where the Rangers finished last in the Eastern Conference with 77 points, Shesterkin maintained a winning record at 25-19-6. Sports Illustrated reports that Shesterkin produced at an elite level despite battling injuries and playing behind one of the league's worst defensive units. His performance included a .912 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average, the second-lowest mark of his career. Additionally, he recorded 21 goals saved above expected—the fifth-highest total in the NHL—and delivered quality starts in 34 of his 51 games.
His standing among the league's elite is reflected in the NHL Player Tiers from The Athletic, which placed Shesterkin in the 2B tier for the 2026-27 season, trailing only Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. One former player quoted in that piece suggested Shesterkin belongs even higher, stating that if he had to pick one goalie to give a team the best chance to win the Stanley Cup, it would be Shesterkin.
Looking ahead to the 2026-27 campaign, projections from The Athletic expect Shesterkin to maintain a +13.1 Net Rating and a .908 save percentage. Sports Illustrated notes that with an improved group of defensemen now on the blueline, the franchise cornerstone is expected to continue his excellent production.