The New York Rangers have a goaltending issue
It would not seem so on the surface, but the New York Rangers have a problem in the crease. While the recent performance of their goaltenders, surrendering 18 goals over the previous four games is cause for concern, it is nothing to ring the alarm bells over. Rough patches are to be expected, as is the ability of both Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev to bounce back. The potential of the New York Rangers goaltending issue is far more pervasive.
The New York Rangers are a team that is and has been built with the requirement of exceptional goaltending. The team received this from Henrik Lundqvist for most of his 15 year career and is now receiving it from Shesterkin. The issue lies in the dependance, not on goaltending, per se, but on one a specific goaltender.
The ghosts of New York Rangers backup’s past
The New York Rangers backup parade during Lundqvist’s tenure iced Kevin Weekes, Steve Valiquette and Marty Biron for the first eight years. It was not until Cam Talbot arrived that the Rangers had a backup capable of providing sufficient rest to the starter. More importantly, Talbot was effectively able to take over the crease when Lundqvist fell to injury. Talbot would post a 16-4-3 record to help the Rangers keep pace to win the 2015 Presidents Trophy.
Talbot’s exploits earned him a starters job with the Edmonton Oilers and the New York Rangers acquired Antti Raanta as the new backup. He too was capable of providing the necessary rest to the starter while also filling in while Lundqvist struggled in the early stages of the 2016-17 campaign. However, the Rangers time with capable backups was short lived as both Raanta and Talbot were traded after no more than two seasons of service each.
Looking at the team now and towards the future, it does not appear that the organization has learned its lesson. A deeper look at the men who guard the crease will show just how precarious the New York Rangers goaltending situation really is.
Igor “The Great”
Shersterkin is having a career year that is pacing to be a top 10 goaltending season since the league returned to play for the 2005-06 season. He is the clear front runner for the Vezina Trophy as the leagues top goalie and possibly the Hart Trophy as MVP as well. He has led the way for a New York Rangers team that has grown by leaps and bounds as it has emerged from the rebuild that began at the 2018 trade deadline.
It should be understood that some regression will be seen from a career high save percentage that only recently dipped below .940%. How the Rangers respond when his save percentage hovers more regularly around the .920% mark remains to be seen. However the larger questions have little to do with talent, but instead focus on Shesterkins durability and endurance moving forward.
It’s Igor, why worry?
Shesterkin’s 39 appearances this season are already a career high in the NHL. While in the KHL he has played as many as 44 games in a season, including playoffs. Even with all of the time off worked into this season, is a starter’s workload in the NHL catching up to Shesterkin?
They’re tired, they come in, they say, ‘Coach, I’m not going to go on.’ We manage our goalies. He hasn’t played a whole lot of games. As good as he's played, how many games has he played right now? [37] ... He's not going to play every game, trust me. He'll be fine."
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) March 7, 2022
Directly following his admission of being tired after a 45 save win versus the Winnipeg Jets, Shesterkin turned in his two worst performances of the season. This may simply be coincidence, but it is something the organization needs to keep a close eye on. Additionally, the team should be concerned with the recognition that tired players are more prone to injury.
This is of particular concern for a goaltender who has missed 29 potential starts over the past two and a half seasons. During that span, the Rangers have played 147 games, with Shesterkin being injured for nearly 20% of them. Worse, is that groin injuries, of which he has had three while with the Rangers, are prone to reoccurring.
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None of this is to say that Shesterkin will break down or injure himself, but it is something to be cautious of. The Rangers have 23 games remaining before the playoffs and Shesterkin will need as much rest as can be given. However, with the goaltending options at his disposal, how much rest can Coach Gerard Gallant realistically give him?
Alexandar “The Not So Great”
Two seasons ago the New York Rangers decided to stick with Georgiev when they opted to buy out Henrik Lundqvist. This decision showed faith in young Bulgarian goaltender. In the five seasons with the club, Georgiev has rewarded that faith with a career .908% save percentage and 50 wins in 119 games played. On the surface these numbers reflect a competent backup goaltender. However, a deeper look into the statistics reveals a troublesome trend.
Since debuting at the end of the 2017-18 season, Georgiev has been called upon to start in stretches to relieve the starter nine times. This has been due to rest, injury and to be given a chance to make the crease his. During these stretches Georgiev has posted a combined 22-6-4 record with a .947% save percentage and three shutouts while surrendering just 62 goals in 36 appearances.
A tale of two goaltenders
These are phenomenal numbers. Unfortunately, all good things must come to end. Each of these stellar streaks ended with exceptionally poor results as he surrendered the net back to either Lundqvist or Shesterkin. In these games Georgiev recorded a lowly 2-5-1 record with a disastrous .858% save percentage while surrendering 34 goals in just eight games.
The remaining balance of his games played can be characterized as spot starts and/or relief appearances, which are the bread and butter for a backup. In these 75 games Georgiev has posted a save percentage of just .892% while giving up 224 goals. Upon this below the surface look it would be tough to call Georgiev a quality backup.
That said, what these numbers also show is that with a larger workload, Georgiev has the potential to be an effective starter. But, with Lundqvist previously and Shesterkin now, that will not be with the New York Rangers. Where remains to be seen.
Down on the farm
Keith Kinkaid is having a decent year with the Hartford Wolf Pack posting a .909% save percentage with 18 wins in 26 games. But despite a 29 save performance for the Rangers this season, his save percentage in the NHL has been below the .900% mark since the 2017-18 season. Unless trade deadline transactions dictate otherwise, Kinkaid, with 167 games of NHL experience, is the next man up should the Rangers goaltending situation require it.
Who are the pups of the pack
Adam Huska (24 years old) may have a .917% save percentage, but only has seven wins in 19 games while splitting time with Kinkaid. He has improved with a 5-2-2 record in his last nine starts while Kinkaid has slumped, losing four of his last six.
Tyler Wall (24 Years old), though having had a successful collegiate career has not found that level of success as a pro. He has posted a .900% save percentage at the ECHL and only .867% with the Wolf Pack. He has six wins in a combined 13 games played.
Former second round pick Olof Lindbom (21 years old) has had a rough time with injuries and is currently patrolling the crease for Kristianstads IK in Sweden’s second tier league. He has a .900% save percentage and 10 wins in 27 games this season.
Dylan Garand (19 years old) has had a wonderful career in the WHL and has been chosen to represent Canada in the 2021 and 2022 Under 20 World Junior Championships. While he has a ton of potential, he will need seasoning at the pro level before looking to make it to the Rangers’ NHL roster.
Will the backup please stand up
The Rangers need two specific things from their backup. The ability to perform well in spot starts as well as being able to step in should Shesterkin require extended rest. Within the organization, as it stands now, no one goaltender is the right fit. However, the Rangers should think hard before moving on from Georgiev at the deadline. The more he plays, the more opportunity he can be revived back into effectiveness and be the organizations safety net through the playoffs.
Chris Drury should also shake the trade tree for a veteran backup, and if a better option presents itself, go for it. That said, it is on Coach Gallant to begin working Georgiev into more games. He needs to get into a rhythm to be an option in net. Further, getting him back to form will only raise his asset value.
The fact that Gallant started Georgiev in net against Anaheim has to be seen as a positive move if he did it to get Shesterkin some more rest. It could also be to get him some work so that they can showcase him before the trade deadline if there is any interest.
Regardless of how the remainder of the season plays out, it is a mathematical cap certainty that he will be dealt before next season. These last games may determine how much they get back in return for him.
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