New York Rangers’ star goaltender Igor Shesterkin will be sidelined for at least one to two weeks after sustaining an upper-body injury during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He appeared to injure himself while lunging for a puck in the first period and was later seen flexing his right wrist following a goalmouth scramble in the second.
Although the injury is not considered long-term, it is uncertain whether Shesterkin will be ready to return when the NHL schedule resumes on February 22. This is the second time this season he has dealt with an upper-body injury, having previously been placed on injured reserve in December.
Rangers Recall Dylan Garand from Hartford
In response, the Rangers have called up Dylan Garand from the Hartford Wolf Pack to bolster their goaltending depth behind Jonathan Quick. While Shesterkin’s injury comes at an inconvenient time for the team, his expected return in a few weeks should lessen the impact. Additionally, the NHL’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament helps reduce the potential disruption.
Shesterkin has cemented his reputation as one of the NHL’s top goaltenders but is also set to become the league’s highest-paid netminder at $11.5 million per season. His contract has faced significant scrutiny, with some viewing it as a potential burden. While he has performed well this season, his stats have been below average, leading to debates over whether he is living up to the investment the Rangers made.
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