Evaluating the New York Rangers goaltending rotation

Here's a brief look at each of the four recent New York Rangers' goaltenders and what their future holds, in addition to discussing whether it's worth the Rangers having more net insurance for their franchise.
New York Rangers v Florida Panthers
New York Rangers v Florida Panthers | Joel Auerbach/GettyImages

The New York Rangers' goaltending situation for the 2025-26 season is going to remain focused on Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick unless there's both rapid and drastic changes.

Shesterkin's contract extension was announced back in December with the agreement between him and the Rangers being eight-year, $92 million contract extension with a record annual average value of $11.5 million for an NHL goaltender. In March the Rangers similarly signed Quick to a one-year contract extension at $1.55 million — also featuring a base salary of $1 million, a $550,000 signing bonus and up to $300,000 in potential performance bonuses. But with Quick and Shesterkin on lock, could the Blueshirts do with some more insurance in their roster of netminders if things go sideways?

There are fans and coaching staffs alike out there who argue that having more than two healthy and highly skilled tendys on the roster is essential to the success to a National Hockey League franchise.

With that in mind, here's a brief look at each of the recent Blueshirt goaltenders and what their future holds.

Igor Shesterkin

For the 2024-25 season, Shesterkin was one of five goalies in the league to make 60+ starts, getting the nod a career-high 61 times. He also matched his career high with six shutouts, including one to close out the season against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Shesterkin was a good goaltender for a flawed Rangers team in 2024-25. When the Blueshirts take the ice in 2025-26, Shesterkin will do so as the highest-paid goaltender in the history of the sport — as previously mentioned, and clearly for good reason.

Jonathan Quick

Quick, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, has been a very decent Blueshirt over the past two seasons. While some thought Quick appeared to be at the tail-end of his career, he’s certainly undergone a bit of a resurgence and has settled in nicely as Igor Shesterkin’s backup and even the starter on occasion.

The Connecticut native took home his 400th career victory, giving him the most by an American-born goaltender. Quick also became the 17th goaltender in NHL history to appear in 800 career games, and the second U.S.-born goalie to do so.

Dylan Garand

AHL affiliate goaltender Dylan Garand was recalled on Feb. 7 to back-up Jonathan Quick for the Rangers game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 8 after Igor Shesterkin was diagnosed with an upper-body injury.

The 22-year-old was one of the best young goaltenders in the AHL this season, boasting 20 wins, three shutouts and a .913 save percentage.

A fourth round selection of the Rangers in 2020, Garand shows that the future of the Rangers' net security is safe in development.

Louis Domingue

Similar to Garand, following injuries to Shesterkin and Quick, Domingue played in his first NHL game in 423 days, a 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in which he made 25 saves. Prior to that, his most recent start also saw him make 25 saves, this time in a 4–1 win against the Minnesota Wild on November 9, 2023.

But, his contract expired at the end of the 2024-25 season. He is now an unrestricted free agent. This Garand is essentially the only goaltender with additional experience the Rangers have on the back burner/in development

While all three of these athletes are great goaltenders, long story short, having another option in the net couldn't hurt. And after making NHL infamy by missing the postseason playoffs the very year after winning the Presidents' Trophy, the Rangers unfortunately need all the help they can get. Maybe Chris Drury will go shopping for another one this July.