New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin impressed many people over the past few years with his incredible abilities. There is no doubt that he will be on the Rangers roster come opening night, but he may not have the clear-cut starting job just yet.
Shesterkin is competing for the No. 1 goalie role with Alexandar Georgiev, after long-time starter Henrik Lundqvist was bought out this offseason.
"In this season, every team in this league is going to have to rely on their two goalies," Quinn said Tuesday. "We're fortunate because we feel that we have two No. 1 goalies. I'm not just saying that. Georgiev has had a good career so far. I think he's ready to make the next step. Shesterkin, in a small sample, certainly proved he can be a really good goalie at this level. We feel we have great goaltending depth and both of these guys are going to be contributors. We're certainly going to lean on both of them during the course of the season."
The Calder trophy candidate went 10-2-0 with a 2.52 GAA and .932 SV% in 12 starts for the Rangers last season. The 25-year-old was one of the best goalies in the AHL, and arguably the best goalie in the KHL prior to arriving in North America.
"My expectations are to work even harder to increase the win column for the team, to increase all the goaltending statistics that are trackable and try to become the No. 1 goalie on this team," Shesterkin said.
The Rangers will open up the regular season on January 14 versus the New York Islanders, and Shesterkin thinks that both himself and Georgiev will do whatever it takes to get the job done this season.
"I think we have two really good goalies who will do whatever it takes to help the team win," Shesterkin said. "Obviously it would be quite an experience to be the face of the franchise, but so much has to be done to achieve that level of success. I began working very hard in an attempt to not disappoint myself and the fans before last season and take it very seriously, but much work has to be done to get there."
Source: nhl.com
