Don't expect Connor Hellebuyck to land with the Rangers, according to Elliotte Friedman, despite the wild speculation after Igor Shesterkin's injury.
“I just don't think it matches up, I don't think it works,” Friedman said on Saturday Headlines.
He acknowledged the injury has fueled plenty of talk about whether the Jets goalie could be a fit in New York.
Friedman is right. Adding Hellebuyck's $8,500,000 cap hit to Shesterkin's would tie up $20,067,857 in two goalies, one of whom can't play.
That would be like buying a second sports car while the first one sits in the shop with a year-long repair bill.
Hellebuyck still prefers a trade out of Winnipeg, though David Pagnotta has reported he may be thinking about rejoining the Jets.
Buffalo has been viewed as the closest suitor, but Friedman reported Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has Winnipeg on his no-trade list.
Igor Shesterkin's injury timeline leaves Dylan Garand holding the fort
Shesterkin is listed with a lower-body injury and is expected to be out until at least Sept. 15. That date tells you everything.
He was 3-1 with a .927 save percentage before going down in Washington.
Joonas Korpisalo is also out, until at least Nov. 9.
That leaves Dylan Garand, who has been excellent so far at .971 with a shutout.
The 24-year-old carries an $875,000 cap hit and has a chance to change his career in a hurry.
He's made only 4 appearances, though, so this is still a very small sample.
The Rangers are 4-2-0 after Friday's 3-1 loss in Washington.
They've allowed only 11 goals, the kind of number that will be tough to sustain without their star in the crease.
So what does Chris Drury actually do now?
Winnipeg, for its part, has managed fine without Hellebuyck so far, with Stuart Skinner sitting at .920.
New York hosts Vancouver tonight and Tampa Bay on Tuesday before visiting New Jersey on Thursday.
Friedman closed one door. Drury still has to find another one, and the schedule isn't going to wait for him.
Should the Rangers trade for a veteran goalie with Igor Shesterkin out long-term?
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