The New York Rangers are off to a quick start this season, but the team got season-changing news in the last few days.
Star goalie Igor Shesterkin suffered what appeared to be a serious injury in the team’s game on Friday night, as he couldn’t put any weight on his right leg. After Shesterkin underwent tests, New York determined the goalie will be out for a long time due to the serious injury.
As the Rangers try to return to the playoffs this year, losing Shesterkin means losing their best player. In the short-term, rookie Dylan Garand will take over as the starting goaltender, but the team will evaluate the position over the course of the season.
Here’s the latest on Shesterkin’s injury.
Igor Shesterkin injury update
The Rangers announced on Saturday that goalie Igor Shesterkin will miss the rest of the 2026-27 season with a lower body injury. Shesterkin suffered the injury in Friday night’s game against the Washington Capitals, as he needed help off the ice in the middle of the second period.
New York didn’t announce the exact diagnosis of the injury, but it’s possible that the goalie will need to undergo surgery, forcing him to miss substantial time.
“It’s awful. He’s a pillar of this team. It stinks,” Rangers captain J.T. Miller said on Friday night. “Obviously, it’s young. We don’t even know what’s going on, but to see him leave the game is a shock to all of us.”
“It’s awful. He’s a pillar of this team. It stinks. Obviously, it’s young. We don’t even know what’s going on, but to see him leave the game is a shock to all of us.” J.T. Miller talks about what went through his mind after Igor Shesterkin’s injury: https://t.co/zYVvEXsakV
— SNY Rangers (@SNYRangers) October 10, 2026
Shesterkin is one of the best goalies in the league and had been very consistent for the Rangers since taking over as the starter in 2020-21. He had made at least 50 starts in each of the previous five seasons and was off to another strong start this year.
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How did Igor Shesterkin get injured?
Shesterkin suffered a right knee injury while trying to make a save against the Capitals in Friday night’s game. Shesterkin was caught out of his net on a particular play, and as he rushed to return to the net, jammed his leg into the post.
The 30-year-old was in immediate pain and couldn’t put any weight on his right leg. The Rangers medical staff came on to the ice to help get him back to the locker room.
Igor Shesterkin went down with a leg injury and had to be carried off the ice without putting weight on his right leg Hope he’s okay 🙏 https://t.co/uDg7SAZ3c8
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 10, 2026
This is the first major injury of Shesterkin’s career, as he had been pretty durable up until this point. It’s unclear exactly what Shesterkin’s injury is, but it is major enough for him to miss several months.
