Rangers start a new chapter with Igor Shesterkin the new No. 1

Mar 10, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) in action during the game between the Rangers and the Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers begin a new chapter in their storied history next week when Igor Shesterkin starts training camp as the team’s number one goaltender.

For the past 14 seasons, the New York Rangers have had Henrik Lundqvist lead the team onto the ice to start their season. Now a new beginning will begin when training camp opens next week.

25-year-old Igor Shestrkin will now take the torch as he and his Rangers teammates look to build on the successful season the club had last season. Replacing an icon will be no easy task for the rookie goalie.

Shesterkin made his NHL debut last January with a victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden. He went on to win 10 of his first 12 games and in the process was designated the team’s number one goaltender.

That decision by head coach David Quinn moved Lundqvist to a backup role with Shestrkin gaining confidence from his teammates while adapting to a faster game on the ice than was the case while he was in Hartford playing with the Wolf Pack.

A New Begining

The goalie only played in one game when the team competed in the “Play-In” best of three playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes due to an injury, but this story truly begins with the upcoming 2020-2021 abbreviated season.

Now Shestrkin will be relied upon to sharpen his skills in a quick two-week training camp that will not include any exhibition games. He will feel the importance of his role on this team immediately and without room for errors.

The pressure on the rookie has been felt even before he steps on the ice for his first training camp. Sportsnet’s Luke Fox predicted Shestrkin would win the Calder Trophy this season. The Calder is awarded to the top rookie in the NHL every season.

Fox said in his report,

Not since Columbus’s Steve Mason captured the NHL’s Rookie of the Year honours in 2009 has a netminder claimed the award.

New York Rangers phenom Igor Shesterkin — a.k.a. the reason Henrik Lundqvist was bought out — ends that streak with a stellar campaign and further establishes himself as the heir to the King’s throne.

Shesterkin, 24, will build upon his 10-2, .932 performance toward the end of 2019-20 and earn more votes than Calder finalists Alexis Lafreniere (also Rangers) and Kirill Kaprizov (Wild).

An impressive prediction considering he has only appeared in 12 NHL games. Shestrkin has won at every level he has played in so the recognition should not be a surprise, but that won’t help elevate the expectations for him this season.

Skill And Agility

Shesterkin’s stickhandling ability is something the Rangers have never really seen from a goaltender in past seasons. He can handle the puck well behind the net which adds another dimension to the team’s defense. He also has a knack for clearing the puck up ice for a fast transition from defense to offense.

He also is a very good skater which enables him to get from one side of the net to the other effortlessly. He is able to come out of his net to cut down shooting angles of his opponent with the quickness to get back and stop shots coming from across the ice.

This is a new Rangers hockey team. Shesterkin will need to focus early on and find ways to win the tough, close hockey games in a condensed 56-game schedule.

The work finally begins next week in Tarrytown, NY at the club’s practice facility.  A new era is set to begin in Rangerstown at the toughest position in the sport.

Shestrkin has given the club and its fans every indication he is up for the challenge.