Rangers Goalie Battle Heats Up | New York Rangers News

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

On September 16th, the New York Rangers have a solid starter in Igor Shesterkin, but the backup goalie spot is heating up. With the season extended to 84 games, that backup will likely see 25 to 30 starts. Last season, neither Jonathan Quick nor Spencer Martin could effectively fill in when Shesterkin was out, so the team needs someone reliable. To address this, the Rangers traded for veteran Joonas Korpisalo on July 1st, giving up a fourth round draft pick and a prospect. This move cost them $3 million against the salary cap for the next two seasons. It also seems to put rookie Dylan Garand, who impressed in a few late season games, in a tougher spot for the backup role.

Coach Mike Sullivan, however, is embracing the competition. He sees Korpisalo as a proven NHL goalie with a track record of success, especially as a backup. Korpisalo, who has bounced around a few teams, spent the last two years with Boston, posting a 14-win season last year with a 3.15 goals against average. Dylan Garand, meanwhile, showed promise in his brief NHL stint, going 2-0-1 with a 1.62 goals against average. He signed a two-year deal earlier this off-season, and many thought he was next in line.

Now, he'll have to battle Korpisalo for the job, and there's also the risk of him being claimed on waivers if sent down to the AHL.

Ultimately, the Rangers are aiming for strong internal competition across all positions. Sullivan believes this goalie situation, with Korpisalo and Garand pushing each other, is exactly what the team needs to make tough decisions and build a stronger roster. From your team, powered by AI, this is New York Rangers News Today.