Igor Shesterkin
No matter what the Rangers do, no matter what people say about them and no matter what the expectations are going into the 2025-26 season, one thing remains the same: New York has a chance in any game with Igor Shesterkin.
Even in a down year where Shesterkin posted career lows with a 2.86 GAA and a .905 SV%, the 29-year-old showed his brilliance. New York let up the most high-danger chances in the NHL, and Shesterkin was one of the reasons the Blueshirts were able to stay competitive in these games.
One of the biggest offseason priorities for New York -- especially with Sullivan's regime coming in -- will be stifling the defense. No matter what they do, the Rangers have one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.
Shesterkin is New York's "great equalizer" against nearly every opponent. He wasn't enough for the team to be competitive this year, but assuming the roster gets better, he's the reason the Rangers can be among the NHL's best.