Igor Shesterkin latest injury raises a ton concern for his future with the New York Rangers
Photo credit: Sportsnet
The New York Rangers will be without goalie Igor Shesterkin for two weeks, as he's been placed on injured reserve. His second stint on the IR has led to his numbers receiving significant criticism from detractors.
The New York Rangers GM Chris Drury and Igor Shesterkin settled on a contract earlier in the season which paid him $11.5 million AAV.
Making him one of the highest-paid goalies in the league, above NHL legend Carey Price whose cap hit comes into at $10.5 million.
Yet again, he's found himself on the injured reserve, as the Rangers have called up Hartford Wolfpack goalie Dylan Garand to back up Jonathan Quick while he remains out of the lineup.
"You don't want to see any of our players go down with injuries,» Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said, «but where there is a little bit of time coming up here, that's useful. There's no games being played, so that's a useful thing."
This is just one of many troubles the Rangers are dealing with, as the team hasn't performed up to expectations after winning a Presidents Trophy. A similar situation we've seen the Boston Bruins, another original-six organization go through.
With Shesterkin out, his detractors are once again coming out of the woodwork to insult his play this season.
While Shesterkin is an elite goaltender in the NHL who has won one Vezina Trophy, the criticism is lacking merit.
For one reason alone. Rather than trashing Shesterkin's game alone, they failed to neglect the defense, which hasn't played up to expectations this year.
The team has neglected to protect goalie Igor Shesterkin as they allow 30 shots against per game, which according to Statmuse places them at 4th in the NHL.
A far cry from their rivals, the Florida Panthers which let in significantly less at 27 SA/GP.
The Rangers have let down their goalie, who in the last ten games has a record of 5-4-1, with a 2.57 GAA, and a .897 save percentage.
While this is only a small sample size of games, it's telling that Shesterkin continues to bear the burden of a poorly constructed team, despite willing them to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
Maybe he is overpaid at $11.5 million AAV, but the New York Rangers defense has failed their assignment as well.
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