This offseason, the New York Rangers showed what they had planned for their retool, and that's to add players who can help win now, while also bringing in some young prospects to replenish the farm system. The Rangers brought in the likes of wingers Pavel Dorofeyev and Oliver Bjorkstrand, and defensemen Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson. On paper, the team is better overall, but there are still additions that could be made. Bur there is one constant, and that's goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
As Rangers fans know, it is virtually impossible to tank with Shesterkin starting in net. He's proven over the years since taking over the reins in New York that he is one of the top goalies in the entire NHL. Even with the time missed due to injury last season, Shesterkin recorded a 2.50 goals allowed average and a .912 save percentage through 51 games. The hope is that the Rangers' new roster and Shesterkin can help them make it back to the playoffs. As it turns out, there are high hopes for Shesterkin entering next season.
NHL.com's Bill Price, Shawn P. Roarke, and Dan Rosen gave their predictions for all four teams for the 2027 NHL All-Star Game in Elmont, N.Y. Unsurprisingly, Shesterkin made the cut for the All-Star Game on the site's projections, as he'll be on Team World. He'll be one of two goalies on the team, with the other being Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Igor Shesterkin projected to make Team World for the 2027 NHL All-Star Game
"It'll be hard, if not impossible, to find a better goalie tandem than this duo from Russia on any of the other four All-Star teams," the NHL.com team writes. "Vasilevskiy is a two-time winner of the Vezina Trophy (2018-19, 2025-26) given to the best goalie in the NHL and Shesterkin won it in 2021-22. Vasilevskiy went 39-15-4 with a 2.31 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and two shutouts in 58 games last season. Shesterkin, albeit on a team that didn't come close to making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, still went 25-19-6 with a 2.50 GAA, .912 save percentage and one shutout in 51 games."
It's hard to argue Team World doesn't have the best goalie tandem in the All-Star Game. If this projection does come true, this would be the first time that Shesterkin participates in an All-Star Game since 2024, where he helped Team Auston Matthews win the mini tournament.
As for the 2027 NHL All-Star Game, it is once again a different format, as the league tries to stick on one that works and fans will love. This time, there will be five teams competing in a round robin tournament, with each team playing four, five-minute games. The points system is two for a win, one for a tie, and zero for a loss. From there, the two teams with the most points will compete in a 10-minute final matchup, with the winning team earning $2 million.
The teams competing in the All-Star Game will be the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Team World. Team World will consist of players from teams outside of the four other teams. Each team will carry nine skaters (forwards and defensemen) and two goalies.
Rangers better hope they gave Igor Shesterkin enough help this offseason
It goes to show that, despite how poorly the Rangers have played these past two seasons, there's no ignoring the fact that Shesterkin is one of the top goalies in the league. As has been the case in the past with other goalies on the Rangers, they can only do so much and block so many shots.
The hope is that Drury gave Shesterkin enough help to ensure he's not facing constant pressure. The defensive group is a lot stronger now, especially after securing Durzi and Pettersson as their second pair behind Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov. Not to mention, fifth-overall selection Alberts Smits could be an option on the third pair with Braden Schneider if he plays strongly enough in training camp.
Additionally, the hope is that they improved their scoring with Dorofeyev, who shined with the Vegas Golden Knights, having back-to-back 30 goal seasons. Not to mention, in the Golden Knights' run to the Stanley Cup Final this year, Dorofeyev scored 12 goals in 22 games, with five of those goals being on the power play (most in the playoffs). They also have Bjorkstrand as a middle six option that is a proven 20-goal scorer. Still, they could stand to add another forward to make up for Vincent Trocheck's absence.
Regardless of how the Rangers' season goes, the NHL still views Shesterkin in high regard.
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