What will Shesterkin's 2nd Year As Starter Look Like?

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Joshua Deeds
August 28, 2022 (9:46)

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The New York Rangers lucked out when Henry Lundqvist was moved, as they had Igor Shesterkin fall right into the starter position. No team has been as lucky in transition, from a future hall of Famer to a Vezina Trophy winner.

The Rangers made a great run last year, advancing to the 2nd round after besting the Carolina Hurricanes to falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

In three years on NHL ice, Shesterkin has a career SV% of .928, with a 2.44 GAA. Without these solid numbers, the Rangers would have had trouble making it so far last year.

His 2021-2022 stat line is nothing short of phenomenal:

He was 36-13-4 in 53 games and led the NHL with a 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage. Shesterkin won 10 of 20 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 2.59 GAA and .929 save percentage that led all goalies who appeared in at least eight games

Winning 29 of 32 Vezina votes and finishing third in the Hart Trophy race, leads us to ask if is it possible for Shesterkin to run it back.

The Rangers didn't change too much overall in the off-season, defensively and while losing Andrew Copp for Vincent Troecheck is a move that is more lateral offensively, I don't see Gerard Gallant running into issues with defensive production.

Shesterkin has proven himself and now is the time for the Rangers to take the next step.