3 dynamic prospects the Rangers cannot trade at the 2024 deadline

Dylan Garand is coming into his own in Year 2 with the Hartford Wolf Pack

Following a stellar career in the WHL and a remarkable performance at the 2022 World Juniors, Dylan Garand saw 32 games with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack and notched just 13 wins, an 0.894 save percentage, and a 3.01 GAA, which aren’t ideal numbers. However, he turned things around in the playoffs, recording a GAA of 1.76, two shutouts, and a 0.935 save percentage. 

While the turnaround hasn’t parlayed into a sensational second season in Hartford, Garand’s 0.908 save percentage, 2.74 GAA, and 13 wins in 25 contests scream improvement, and the 21-year-old will keep getting better with time. 

His overall lack of size may concern some fans. But he’s also built along the same lines as current star goaltender Igor Shesterkin, and the former Vezina winner has yielded sensational results for the Blueshirts. 

If his reflexes and ability to quickly track pucks continue to improve, then Garand will, without question, become a full-time player in the NHL. And at 21, he can still stand to spend another two seasons, if needed, in Hartford to develop and become the eventual 1B to Shesterkin. 

A Garand-Shesterkin combo would be an ideal situation for what should be an elite New York Rangers team toward the latter half of the decade. The 1A/1B approach is something we have already seen yield positive results in New York this year with Shesterkin teaming up with Jonathan Quick. Get a stopgap into New York if Quick leaves, and once Garand is ready to take over, the Rangers won’t miss a beat.