The New York Rangers’ goalies have been great in recent years, with more than one Vezina Trophy-winning goalie within a decade (Henrik Lundqvist in 2011-12 and Igor Shesterkin in 2021-22). As we get closer to the 2024-25 season, there will be no shortage of netminders, with four currently on the roster. Right-catcher Louis Domingue (“Sweet Lou”), a 32-year-old Quebec native, signed a one-year extension with the Blueshirts in March worth $775,000. They recalled him from AHL Hartford on April 20. Left-catcher Dylan Garand, a 22-year-old Victoria, B.C. native, was called up from AHL Hartford on May 16, 2024. He will join the Blueshirts’ 2024-25 roster.
With Shesterkin being one of the best NHL goaltenders in the 2023-24 season, and Jonathan Quick sitting not far behind, hopefully their greatness will continue in the upcoming season. In light of that, here’s a recap of some of the best Blueshirts goalies since 2000.
Top 5 New York Rangers Goalies Since 2000
1. Henrik Lundqvist – New York Rangers Goalie from 2005-06 to 2019-20
Now 42 years old and with both him and his number 30 retired by the Blueshirts, former New York Rangers goalie Lundqvist, also called “The King” more than earned his spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Firstly, not only was the Swedish legend a 2011-12 Vezina Trophy Winner, he was a finalist for the trophy in all three of his first NHL seasons. King Henrik has multiple Blueshirts records. He is their all-time shutout leader by far with 64, followed by Ed Giacomin with 49. The same is true for wins, with Lundqvist holding 459. Running up is Mike Richter with 301. The King also notched an NHL record by winning six consecutive Game 7s. Spending his entire 15-season NHL career with the Blueshirts, Lundqvist played in five NHL All-Star Games (2009, 2011, 2012, 2018 and 2019). He has also made the most saves by a Blueshirts NHL goaltender by far with 23,509 in 887 games, followed by Mike Richter with 17,379 in 666 games.
Henrik Lundqvist’s Top 10 Career Saves (youtube.com)
2. Igor Shesterkin – New York Rangers Goalie since 2019-20
Obviously, Shesty is one of the best New York Rangers goalies in history. The 28-year-old Moscow, Russia native currently holds the all-time Blueshirts save percentage record for a goalie who’s played 100 games or more, .921, even at his relatively young age. The tight runner-up is Lundqvist at .918. Right from his time as a young gun, his potential was crystal clear. Picked by the Blueshirts 118th overall in 2014, he became one of the best goalies in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In his last season with SKA St. Petersburg, his record was 24-4-0 with an impressive goals-against average (GAA) of 1.11 and save percentage of .953.
Shesterkin signed with the Rangers in May 2019 and made his NHL debut in Jan. 2020. In his first dozen games, Shesterkin’s record was 10-2-0 with a GAA of 2.52 and save percentage of .922. He was the next “great” Rangers goaltender following Lundqvist. Shesterkin would go on to win a Vezina Trophy for best NHL goaltender in 2021-22 and has played in two NHL All-Star Games (2023 and 2024). Also, NHL Network reported on X today that Shesty has 109 wins since 2021-22. This is in front of Nashville Predators netminder Juuse Saros (106), Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (103), Winnipeg Jets legend Connor Hellebuyck (103) and Texas Hockey star Jake Oettinger (102).
Top 30 Igor Shesterkin Saves from 2021-22 | NHL (youtube.com)
3. Jonathan Quick – New York Rangers Goalie since 2023-24
The 38-year-old born in Milford, Connecticut performed very well in 27 games played with the Blueshirts this past season. A former Los Angeles Kings legend, Quicker notched 18 wins, two shutouts, a 2.62 GAA and .911 save percentage with the Rangers this year. On Nov. 22, 2023, Quicker made 32 saves at PPG Paints Arena, also notching his 60th NHL shutout.
Quick makes 32 saves, Rangers blank Penguins | NHL.com
4. Cam Talbot – Blueshirts Goalie from 2013-14 to 2014-15
The now 37-year-old from Caledonia, Ontario’s top two NHL save percentages in a season came in his two initial NHL seasons with the Blueshirts. In 2013-14, Talbot notched a .941 save percentage in 21 games. T-Bot got a .926 one in 36 games the following season. In 2013-14, he backed up King Henry Lundqvist. Talbot signed with the Blueshirts in March 2010 and for most of the next few seasons played in the AHL.
5. Alexandar Georgiev – Blueshirts Goalie from 2017-18 to 2021-22
Bulgarian left-catcher Georgiev, a former New York Rangers goalie, is tied for third alongside Mike Dunham for the highest Blueshirts goalie save percentage for those who have played 100 games or more – .908. Georgie agreed to terms with the Blueshirts in July 2017. He started 2017-18 with AHL Hartford and had a 14-13-2 record, a 2.98 GAA and .909 SV% in 37 games played. Georgiev debuted in Feb. 2018 in a game against the Montreal Canadiens, notching 38 saves. Sadly, the Blueshirts lost 3-1. Georgie’s first NHL win was in March 2018 with 35 saves, with the Blueshirts winning 3-2 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Main Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
