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NHL Network goalie rankings confirm what Rangers fans already knew about Igor Shesterkin

Unlike their controversial defensemen list, NHL Network gave Rangers superstar Igor Shesterkin his proper due among the league's elite tier on their Top 10 Goalies countdown. That said... Igor is probably feeling the way he looks in the picture above.
ByTom Urtz Jr.|
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Oct 4, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) returns to the net after a break in the action during the third period period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) returns to the net after a break in the action during the third period period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The NHL Network had an outrageous spot for Adam Fox when it came to ranking the top defensemen in the game today, and their most recent ranking of goaltenders reinforced what New York Rangers fans already knew about Igor Shesterkin. While there could be some quibbles regarding how the top three fell, the names at the top of the list are ones that most would agree are the true best of the best. With that said, let's get into Shesterkin's ranking heading into this season.

Shesterkin stands his ground in latest NHL Network ranking

The Rangers' franchise netminder was ranked No. 3 overall last season, and that's where he remained in the most recent rankings. In all honesty, I wouldn't have been shocked if they'd moved Shesterkin back given how poorly things have gone the last two years in New York, but it was nice to see common sense prevail.

The three goaltenders who were up for the Vezina this past season include Andrei Vasilevskiy (No. 1 and reigning winner), Ilya Sorokin (No. 4), and Jeremy Swayman (No. 5), but only Vasilevskiy held a top spot on this list.

Connor Hellebuyck, just a year removed from a Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy, finished at No. 2 overall just ahead of Shesterkin.

How does Shesterkin compare to top goalies on this list?

Shesterkin finished the season with a 25-19-6 record along with a 2.50 goals against average and .912 save percentage. Those numbers don't tell the complete story, as his underlying numbers were very strong.

According to Evolving-Hockey, Shesterkin graded out as a top-tier performer in Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA). Last season the top three netminders in the league were Logan Thompson (26.28), Scott Wedgewood (25.84), and Shesterkin (22.4). Vasilevskiy sat in fourth (20.75), while fellow finalists Swayman (6th, 17.65) and Sorokin (9th, 15.49) trailed significantly.

When looking at Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx), Shesterkin was fifth in the NHL with a 35.54 rating, this time the top three was occupied by Thompson, Sorokin, and Swayman. Shesterkin ultimately finished in seventh for Vezina voting, and he picked up two second place votes.

Vasilevskiy had 114 voting points (17, 9, 2), Sorokin had 51 voting points (8, 1, 8), and Swayman had 46 voting points (2, 9, 9) to round out the top three.

Vasilevskiy earned top spot by rebuilding his reputation

Andrei Vasilevski
May 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period in game seven of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The 2022-23 season saw Vasilevskiy finish with a .915 save percentage along with a 2.65 goals against average, and the following year he posted a .900 save percentage and a 2.90 goals against average. The Lightning's franchise goaltender has been dealing with back problems, and it is possible that his recent stretch of play is simply him being healthy again.

The 2024-25 season was classic Vasilevskiy with a .921 save percentage and a 2.18 goals against average, and he followed that up this season with a .911 save percentage and a 2.31 goals against average. Winning 39 games to lead the league probably was top of mind for the general managers voting as well.

How Shesterkin compares to Vasilevskiy at this point of his career

All in all, the reigning Vezina winner has started 588 games to this point and has 370 wins, a .917 save percentage, and a 2.50 goals against average. He's done this all while winning two Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy and another Vezina on top of the one he just captured. He turned 32 in July, and has had a solid career that started when he was only 20 years old.

Shesterkin turns 31 in December and he's appeared in 326 games, has 187 wins, a .917 save percentage, and a 2.52 goals against average. His career to date, which started at 24, has been quite successful for the Blueshirts. He's got a Vezina Trophy, he was a finalist for the Hart Trophy, and some solid showing in the playoffs up to this point.

The team will need to start playing a lot better if he ever wants to have a chance to win enough games to be considered for the Hall of Fame eventually. Even though it is still early to think about that, a 0.584 win percentage is nothing to sneeze at.

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