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Igor Shesterkin injury triggers unprecedented goaltending crisis for Rangers

With Igor Shesterkin, Joonas Korpisalo, and Spencer Martin all hurt, the Rangers are down to Dylan Garand and Callum Tung as their only healthy goalies.
ByJustin Bonhard
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Oct 9, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) is helped off the ice after being injured against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Oct 9, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) is helped off the ice after being injured against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Rangers were unable to defeat the Washington Capitals on Friday night, losing 3-1. After Alexis Lafrenière opened up the scoring, the Caps got one back before disaster struck. 

In the second period, Blueshirts goaltender Igor Shesterkin was racing to get back to his net when his skate pushed against the right post and essentially crunched his right leg under himself. He was screaming in pain and unable to bear any weight on it as he left the ice. 

Currently there is no word on the severity of the injury, but the Rangers are now in a pickle if this is a long-term injury. Dylan Garand hopped in net and allowed a goal on 12 shots faced in the losing effort.

If this is a lengthy injury for No. 31, and the injury to Joonas Korpisalo, only Garand remains in terms of goaltenders with NHL experience. What in the world do the Rangers do now?

Can’t go to Spencer Martin, but possibly Callum Tung

After the injury happened, I’m sure every Rangers fan thought of Hartford. That would be Spencer Martin getting the next call-up, but there is a bit of a snag. 

Martin is currently dealing with a lower-body injury himself, and his status is uncertain. That now leaves Callum Tung as the only other goaltender under contract.

The organizational goaltending depth was already very thin, but this is ridiculous. Tung has 20 games of AHL experience under his belt and has been fantastic this season with a 2-0 record, a .971 save percentage, and a 1.00 goals against average. 

He may be a solid answer to this big problem in a pinch for this weekend, but it’s a bit of a gamble.

Stick with Garand until Korpisalo heals 

Korpisalo has been on the IR since right after the season opener with a lower-body injury. There is no timetable yet for his return, as he has yet to even start skating again. The idea of sticking with Garand until Korpisalo comes back is likely going to be impossible. 

The gap in time is just too severe.

External trade? 

The Rangers have a good team on the ice right now. Nobody expected them to look this clean and put together, and then they had that injury to Shesterkin. If it didn't happen, there is a very good chance that the Rangers rally back to win that game against the Capitals.

With that said, President and General manager Chris Drury might have to bite the bullet and bring in external talent to ensure the team stays competitive until Shesterkin returns, that is If he returns this season.

Looking around the league, Connor Hellebuyck is still available from Winnipeg, as well as Jordan Binnington of St. Louis. Both are experienced goaltenders, but it is hard to imagine the Rangers adding a full-fledged starter unless Shesterkin misses the rest of the season.

Binnington makes a little more sense as his contract will expire at the end of the season. Hellebuyck is a long-term investment that the Rangers cannot afford. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available, as this is certainly a story that has major implications on the rest of the season.

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