We have seen the New York Rangers play their final game before the trade deadline. We know Reilly Smith is likely on the move. We've talked about Calvin de Haan and how the Rangers could move him, but the other pending unrestricted free agent the Rangers still have is veteran goaltender Jonathan Quick. With the deadline coming and the goaltending market thin, is this a player that the Rangers could trade for assets and a chance to bolster his NHL legacy?
Quick sits 14th all-time in wins and has the most by any American-born goaltender ever. He's closing in on some of the all-time greats, like Grant Fuhr, who is only one win ahead, and Glenn Hall, who is five wins up the road. Quick has been a great goaltender for the New York Rangers, but the Blueshirts aren't in a position to take risks with their pending unrestricted free agents if they can recoup assets for them.
The three-time Stanley Cup Champion makes just $1.25 million against the cap, so he'd be a great value pickup in goal for a few teams if the Rangers opt to move him. While it isn't set in stone that the Rangers will or should move him, giving Quick a chance to pick up another Stanley Cup ring with a contending team, since he is already 39, could be the organization doing right by one of the best netminders of his generation.
It would also allow the Rangers to give Dylan Garand a chance to back up Igor Shesterkin for the remainder of the season and see what he can do in the NHL. Garand has been sensational with the Wolf Pack this season, holding a 15-7-7 record with a .914 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average. The 22-year-old has been a great netminder in the AHL, earning himself a shot in the big leagues moving forward. Give him a trial run.
Quick's stats are also great despite the team in front of him not being great most of the season. Quick holds a 9-5-2 record with three shutouts and a .903 save percentage to go with a 2.92 goals-against average. That's a great backup goaltender for most contending teams, and there will be teams that want to add to their depth in goal looking for players like Quick. It's whether the Rangers should move the veteran netminder that will decide where he is on Saturday.