Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin out 1-2 weeks with upper-body injury

Feb 8, 2025, 11:30 EST

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin.

Credit: © Danny Wild

New York Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin will be sidelined for the next one-to-two weeks due to an upper-body injury, reports Arthur Staple of The Athletic.

Facing the Metropolitan Division rival Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, Shesterkin appeared to suffer a wrist injury but remained in the contest, ultimately turning aside 23 shots in an eventual 3-2 regulation loss.

On the season, the 29-year-old Russian-born netminder has made 39 appearances with the Rangers in which he has posted an 18-19-2 record alongside a .906 save percentage, 2.87 goals-against average, and three shutouts.

Originally chosen by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL Draft, Shesterkin owns a 153-78-19 career record coupled with a .919 save percentage, 2.49 goals-against average, and 18 shutouts. In 2021-22, Shesterkin was presented with the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s Goaltender of the Year after he went 36-13-4 with a .935 save percentage, 2.07 goals-against average, and six shutouts.

In early December, the Rangers signed Shesterkin to an eight-year extension that will carry an $11.5-million annual average value, per PuckPedia, making him the highest-paid netminder in the salary cap era. Shesterkin’s new contract will begin in the 2025-26 season.

With Shesterkin sidelined, Jonathan Quick will start Saturday versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. Earlier this week, the 39-year-old native of Milford, Conn., became the first American-born goaltender to reach 400 career wins. Now in his second season with the Rangers, the three-time Stanley Cup champion has posted a 7-5-2 record with a .901 save percentage and 3.04 goals-against average.

Entering Saturday action, the Rangers sit 26-24-4 on the season and five points back of the Detroit Red Wings for the second wildcard seed in the Eastern Conference. Saturday’s contest against the Blue Jackets marks New York’s last game prior to breaking for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Rangers then return to action February 22 against the Buffalo Sabres.