The move that New York Rangers fans have been waiting for has finally been made. Top goalie prospect Igor Shesterkin has been called up from Hartford.
The New York Rangers made the announcement via Twitter on Monday morning. Igor Shesterkin is being called up from Hartford. That’s it. No word on a reason why and no indication if he will even start a game. Henrik Lundqvist has been suffering an unspecified illness and the assumption has to be that that is the reason for the call-up. But is it?
First @NHL recall for Igor Shesterkin. ☑️ pic.twitter.com/ZDZtd35pZk
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 6, 2020
If the Lundqvist is indeed the reason, it makes sense as he was scheduled to make the start on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden against the Colorado Avalanche. The key question is whether Shesterkin or Alexander Georgiev will get that start. The next game for the Rangers is at home against New Jersey on Thursday.
Alexandar Georgiev has been struggling. He has won one of his last four starts, allowing 19 goals in that span. His save percentage has been a mediocre .858 and he has had a 5.30 goals against average.
The Wolf Pack play once before this weekend so it is a good time to bring Shesterkin up to the varsity. Adam Huska will get the Wednesday start in Hershey.
Shesterkin has been having an All-Star season in the AHL. He is 15-4-3 in 23 games for the Wolf Pack. His 1.93 goals against average leads the league. His .932 save percentage and 15 wins are second best in the AHL. He has also added three shutouts.
After a forgettable two games against Charlotte in mid-December, Shesterkin has won his last four starts, allowing only four goals on 110 shots, posting a .964 save percentage. He is red hot.
In 12 of his 22 starts he has allowed one goal or less. In his last start on Friday night, he allowed one shorthanded goal as the Wolf Pack beat the Providence Bruins 3-1. He had 27 saves.
Let the speculation begin
The questions raised by this move are numerous.
- Why the call up? Is it due to Lundqvist’s illness or is the team concerned with Georgiev’s play over the last few games? Of do they just want to see what Shesterkin can do and are willing to go with a three goalie system?
- What’s wrong with Lundqvist? He’s been reported to have an ailment since the California road trip and reportedly spent portions of the last game in Vancouver in the locker room.
- Will Shesterkin get the start against Colorado? Lundqvist was due to start, but Shesterkin is obviously replacing him. Will Quinn go with Georgiev or let Shesterkin make his NHL debut against a loaded offensive team?
- Would he be better off getting his first start against a weaker New Jersey team on Thursday?
- Is he here to stay? In the past, when there has been a need for two goalies, the team has promoted an AHL netminder. Magnus Hellberg, Brandon Halverson and MacKenzie Skapski are three recent call-ups.
- Do they have a deal in place for Georgiev and need to keep him on the sidelines?
- The unthinkable. Do they have a deal in place for Lundqvist and need to keep him on the sidelines?
Larry Brooks of the New York Post weighed in on Twitter.
Shesterkin recall is not related to goaltending health issues. No word at this point, team practices at 11, but expect Shesterkin to get the assignment tomorrow at MSG v Colorado. They didn't bring him here to dance.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) January 6, 2020
There should be some answers at the Rangers’ noon practice today. As ever, the New York Rangers are making life interesting.