New York Rangers’ 2025-26 Report Cards: Igor Shesterkin

The New York Rangers did not play to their potential this season as they finished with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. While this was a frustrating season, there were some bright spots as many of their rookies played well, and some of their key veterans, including star goalie Igor Shesterkin, played at a high level.

Performance in 2025-26

After helping the Rangers win the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24 and leading them on a run to the Eastern Conference Final, the 2024-25 season was the worst of Shesterkin’s career statistically. He finished with a 27-29-5 record, a .905 save percentage (SV%), and a 2.86 goals-against average (GAA), but those numbers were largely due to New York’s poor defensive play.

Early this season, the Rangers played better defensively and allowed fewer odd-man rushes and chances from the slot, and Shesterkin played very well. He controlled rebounds, made key saves on the penalty kill and late in close games, and showed elite quickness moving laterally. Despite his strong play, the team struggled badly offensively and was held to two goals or fewer in 17 of their first 32 games, including six shutout losses.

Shesterkin repeatedly gave the Rangers chances to win games, even when they were outplayed, but they did not provide enough offense to consistently do so. He avoided going through any big slumps and had some standout performances. He had a 37-save shutout in a 4-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 9, stopped 36 of 38 shots in a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 26, and stopped 36 of 37 shots in a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Jan. 2 in the Winter Classic.

During a 3-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Jan. 5, Shesterkin suffered a lower-body injury and did not return until after the Olympic break on Feb. 26. The Rangers struggled without him, but he continued to consistently play at a high level once he was back in the lineup. He finished the season with a 25-19-6 record, a .912 SV%, and a 2.50 GAA. The team went 9-20-3 when he was not in goal this season.

The Rangers Need to Build Around Shesterkin

Shesterkin had an excellent season, but it did not lead to success for the Rangers as many of their other key players struggled. They were frequently outplayed, and though he was able to steal some victories for them, backup goalie Jonathan Quick had a rough stretch when he was injured, and the team fell out of the playoff race.

At 30 years old, Shesterkin is in his prime, and he is a massive difference-maker. The Rangers need to put a team in front of him that can be competitive and give him a chance to make the playoffs. He has led them on runs to the Eastern Conference Final in 2021-22 and 2023-24, and in his career in the playoffs, he is 23-20-0 with a .928 SV% and a 2.41 GAA.

Shesterkin has played his best in big games, and it’s up to Rangers’ general manager Chris Drury to improve the team around him. They have another elite player in Adam Fox, and many of their rookies showed promise last season. Developing their young players like Gabe Perreault, Matthew Robertson, and Noah Laba will be key, and the hope is that they will continue to improve next season.

Overall Grade

Shesterkin gets an A for his play this season. Regardless of how the Rangers played in front of him, he consistently played at a high level and gave the team a chance to win games. They were competitive when he was in goal, but struggled to get points when he was injured or getting a game off. They should expect another great season from him in 2026-27, and the key will be getting better play from the rest of the team.