The New York Rangers have finished their preseason slate with an anticipation that this upcoming regular season will be much better than the last time around. To celebrate the 100th season of this historic franchise, it just has to be better.
Once again, there is one name that holds the key to whatever success the Rangers might have. It doesn't matter about the 12 forwards that suit up every night, or the six defensemen. It is all about the goaltending, and luckily for the Blueshirts, their go-to guy is entering the prime of his career.
It is crazy to think that Igor Shesterkin is going into his seventh year in the NHL, and he has been a staple for the Rangers for the entirety of that time. Now, at 29 years old, there is no room for error as he is the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history, and the upcoming performances from him will be at his very best.
In Igor we trust
The Rangers have had their fair share of blessings and curses. They were cursed for 54 years between Stanley Cups, which is now rapidly approaching that mark once again at the current drought of 32 years. And, they have been blessed with superb goaltending, stretching back decades.
Shesterkin is another in a long line of goalies to suit up in the blue sweater, and he has a chance to be one of the best ever. At this current time, with this current team, the time is now for the Rangers to finally make a move towards the Stanley Cup. If not now, then it might never be.
Despite a strong offseason, signing a top-pair defenseman and naming a solid captain to lead the next generation of Rangers hockey, there is still a sense of urgency. Time is clicking on this squad, and there might only be one or two more cracks at being a Stanley Cup contender before the possibility of another rebuild is on our hands.
This preseason, Shesterkin looked solid. In three starts, he allowed five goals on 48 shots, which is not a terrible start. He read the puck well, and despite not making a complete start, he did not look winded after the opening two frames at all. This might be the best version of No. 31 to ever grace the ice at Madison Square Garden.
And it is going to have to be. With backup goaltender Jonathan Quick still playing at a high level at the age of 40, the prospect pool for goalies is slim. Dylan Garand was supposed to be the next man up, but this preseason showed that he is just not ready yet.
If the goal for this season is to realistically win the Stanley Cup, it only happens with Shesterkin in net. He has to be every sense of the word, perfect, and he has to try and keep this team afloat all season long. The success of the 2025-26 season lives and dies on the shoulders of this team's most valuable player.