Igor Shesterkin had a stellar 2025-26 season, finishing with a 25-19-6 record and .912 save percentage.
What happened?
The New York Rangers finished with the worst record in the Eastern Conference, but Shesterkin's play was a bright spot.
He controlled rebounds and made key saves on the penalty kill and late in close games.
Shesterkin had a 37-save shutout in a 4-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 9.
Performance in 2025-26
Shesterkin's strong play was evident early in the season, with the Rangers playing better defensively and allowing fewer odd-man rushes.
He showed elite quickness moving laterally and made key saves to give the Rangers chances to win games.
The team struggled offensively, but Shesterkin's play kept them competitive.
The Rangers Need to Build Around Shesterkin
At 30 years old, Shesterkin is in his prime and a massive difference-maker.
The Rangers need to put a team in front of him that can be competitive and give him a chance to make the playoffs.
Shesterkin has led the Rangers on runs to the Eastern Conference Final in 2021-22 and 2023-24.
He has a .928 save percentage and 2.41 goals-against average in his playoff career.
Overall Grade
Shesterkin's excellent season earns him an A grade, regardless of the Rangers' overall performance.
He consistently played at a high level and gave the team a chance to win games.
The Rangers were competitive when Shesterkin was in goal, but struggled to get points when he was injured or getting a game off.
Shesterkin's injury on Jan. 5 was a significant setback, but he returned to form after the Olympic break on Feb. 26.
The Rangers' general manager, Chris Drury, needs to improve the team around Shesterkin to give him a chance to succeed.
Developing young players like Gabe Perreault, Matthew Robertson, and Noah Laba will be key to the Rangers' future success.
Shesterkin's performance in the 2025-26 season was a highlight in an otherwise disappointing year for the Rangers.
His ability to steal victories and make key saves will be crucial in the Rangers' quest to return to the playoffs.
The Rangers' fans will be hoping that Shesterkin can continue to play at a high level and lead the team to success in the future.