Welcome to an off-season segment for your New York Rangers! It is time for the New York Rangers offseason grades. The season ultimately did not end the way the organization wanted it to, but there was a lot of jog and excitement to say the least. It is summer time for the Rangers, but that does not mean we cannot reminisce on the season. Today we will look at a Igor Shesterkin off-season grade. Stay tuned for the next edition of New York Rangers Offseason Grades.
New York Rangers Offseason Grades
Report Card: Igor Shesterkin
The next New York Rangers offseason grades is for the goaltender. There are not enough great things to say about Igor Shesterkin. Last season was an MVP-type season where he also won the Vezina Trophy. After having a monster season and playoff, he followed it up with yet another stellar campaign. The prince and heir to the throne in the Big Apple has done his best to fill the shoes of The King.
Shesterkin Season
Igor Shesterkin is one of the best if not the best NHL goaltender. You can make a case for other guys like Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin and Jusse Saros, but Shesterkin is nothing short of amazing. The team loves having him behind them and the fans love cheering IGOR! IGOR! IGOR! After an amazing year last year, he followed that up with another great campaign. Here is where he ranked among his peers:
- GSAX: 28.1 (5th)
- Save Percentage: .916 (12th)
- Goals Against Average: 2.48 (12th)
- High danger save percentage: .742 (29th)
Overall he was great and absolutely back stooped the Rangers to another successful campaign. There are keys to the teams success, but he is one of them. These numbers are still great, but it is hard to compare last year. That was one of the best single seasons by a goalie in recent memory. It’s shaping up that Shesterkin has one of the best New York Rangers Offseason Grades.
The Playoffs
A early exit was not what was on the Rangers bingo card. Given the moves Drury made at the deadline, a deep run was within reach. Not so fast. A young Devils squad made sure to it let that happen. Without Shesterkin, the New Jersey Devils manhandle the Rangers in less than seven games. New Jersey was the better team at 5v5, and eventually figured out how to smother the Rangers lethal power play. New York took the life out of New Jersey early on, but it was tough the rest of the way. Shesterkin shut the door all series long despite losing in Game Seven. In fact, he only allowed more than two goals on just two occasions. There was only so much he could do and he let his bench know it in Game Five. For goalies who have played at least three games, he still ranks second in goals saved above expected (8.8) despite losing in round one. In addition, he is third in goals against average (1.96), only trailing Frederik Andersen and Jack Campbell. His save percentage (.931) is third as well. The sample size may have been small, but considering the offence was ice-cold for a stretch, he was without a doubt the MVP for them. If the Rangers went the distance he is a top choice for the Conn Smythe Trophy.
The Verdict
What a blessing it is for the Rangers organization. Transitioning from one great goaltender is a blessing and it is only the beginning. This New York Rangers offseason grade will be just like the last one. Shesterkin was one of their best players if not the best. This season was nothing but extraordinary for the netminder. He continues to he the backbone to this Rangers team and has shown it with his level of play. Shesterkin is locked up for the foreseeable future as he continues to shine brightly on Broadway. Keep visiting our site for the next New York Rangers Offseason Grades.
Grade: A+
Main Photo: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
