New York Rangers goalies: The future is bright

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Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

As we’ve seen over the last few days, the pages of New York Rangers history are writ full of goalies who have thrilled Madison Square Garden fans throughout the years. And the team’s future in net is no less bright.

It’s clear someone other than King Henrik will be New York’s number one next year. Luckily, the Rangers have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to goalies. Let’s look down the depth chart at the pretenders to the throne.

Jean-Francois Berube #30 of the New York Islanders (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

It’s not worth spending much time talking about Jean-François Bérubé. The 28-year old former Islander and Blackhawk never stuck in the NHL and even his time in the minors hasn’t been impressive. The Flyers traded Bérubé to New York in exchange for ‘future considerations’, so they didn’t value him that highly, either.

Bérubé’s an unrestricted free agent after this season so it remains to be seen if he will be re-signed. But the Rangers need an expendable goalie with NHL experience to expose to the Expansion Draft next summer, so don’t be surprised if they ink him to a new deal. That might be the only reason New York acquired him, as Vancouver did in 1993 when they traded for John Vanbiesbrouck.

A brick Wall in net

In his column from a few months ago, Steve Paulus called 22-year old Tyler Wall “the best goaltender in college hockey” and he looks like another great late-round goalie pick by the Rangers.

Wall was chosen 174th overall in the sixth round of the 2016 Draft. He just finished his senior year playing for the UMass Lowell River Hawks with a GAA of 2.10 and a save percentage of .931.

FEBRUARY 21: Tyler Wall #33 of the Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks during NCAA men’s hockey at the Tsongas Center on February 21, 2020 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The River Hawks won 3-2. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Also on the plus side, he sounds very excited to play in Madison Square Garden. In an article by Shawn Hutcheon on NHL. com, Wall was quoted as saying this on being drafted by New York:

“It was surreal. I mean, an original six team with such an amazing fan-base. You couldn’t really ask for a better team than the Rangers.”

Tyler Wall is an exciting prospect, but we need to see how he does against pro opposition. Also, the Rangers must sign Wall to an entry level contract by August 15 or risk losing him to free agency. He could pull a Jimmy Vesey and go the unrestricted free agent route by not signing. It will be worth watching.

One negative: His nickname is “Wallsy”. That will have to change.

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