Igor Shesterkin is too good for the Rangers to tank

Given what has happened since he returned from injured reserve, it is time to consider that maybe Igor Shesterkin wasn't lying. When asked about his reaction to "Letter 2.0" following his return, the New York Rangers' franchise netminder offered a deadpan masterpiece: "Honestly, I didn't read the letter, because I don't speak English."

It was a classic bit of Igor humor, but after Saturday’s 46-save heist in Minnesota, it feels less like a joke and more like a mission statement. If President and General Manager Chris Drury’s letter was a request for the fans to be patient with some losing while the franchise overhauled the roster, Igor clearly missed the memo. Not only is he ignoring the retool... he is actively sabotaging the tank by refusing to lose.

Shesterkin is reminding everyone he is "that guy"

It was quite notable when Mike Sullivan talked about Igor after his return from the Olympic break, as Sullivan had just finished coaching Connor Hellebuyck and Team USA to a gold medal. At one of his first availabilities back on Broadway, Sullivan remarked, "I think he's (Igor) the best goalie in the game."

It was quite a statement considering Hellebuyck’s recent resume includes that Olympic gold, a Hart Trophy as league MVP, and a Vezina Trophy as the league's best netminder. While Sullivan has been a little less complimentary toward Adam Fox lately, his evaluation of Shesterkin is a loud reminder that Igor remains the foundational guy.

The Rangers are still sitting in the basement, but they aren't playing like a lottery team anymore. Since Igor returned to the crease on February 26, the Blueshirts have earned points in eight of their last nine games. He has posted a 5-0-2 record with a .916 save percentage and a 2.64 goals against average. Aside from one outlier OT loss against Columbus, he has been absolutely dialed in.

Saturday was the definitive proof that as long as Igor is healthy, a proper tank is impossible. Try as the Rangers did, they were unable to surrender their lead. The Wild outshot the Rangers 21-1 in the third period. At a time in which the Blueshirts were physically overwhelmed and structurally collapsed, Igor turned aside every single shot to preserve a regulation win. A team that is truly tanking and committed to a high draft pick loses that game 5-2. Igor won it 4-2.

Plausible deniability in the crease

By "not speaking English," Igor has the ultimate out. He doesn't have to answer for why he’s ruining the Rangers' odds at a generational talent in the upcoming draft. He can just point to his stats and shrug. While nobody would ever suggest Igor is trying to ruin the tank, his brilliance is creating a fascinating Catch-22 for the organization.

While the Letter 2.0 promised a focus on development, Igor is providing a masterclass in why elite goaltending is the ultimate equalizer. He masks the defensive lapses of players learning on the fly, and he bails out a veteran core that has struggled with consistency all season.

The tank is officially dead

The Rangers were outscored 27-10 in the four games directly following the injuries to Igor and Fox in January. That was the tank in its purest form. But with Igor back at a Vezina caliber level, those days are over.

Ultimately, it is impossible to truly bottom out when your goalie is making 46 saves on 48 shots against a gold medal winning general manager's roster. The most the Rangers can do is try to load-manage him, but even that strategy is looking shaky... Jonathan Quick just recorded a shutout against Calgary, a massive turnaround from his struggles while Igor was out.

Igor Shesterkin might not have read the letter, but his message to the rest of the league is coming through loud and clear. The Rangers might be retooling, but as long as he’s in net, they aren't going down without a fight... No. 1 overall draft pick be damned.