Igor Shesterkin Faces Backup Battle After Rangers Add Korpisalo

Igor Shesterkin heads into the 2026‑27 season with a crowded net‑minder roster after the New York Rangers acquired veteran Joonas Korpisalo from Boston on July 1, creating a three‑goalie dilemma that could reshuffle his backup options.

The Rangers sealed the deal for Korpisalo, a 32‑year‑old who logged 334 NHL games and spent the last two seasons as Boston’s No. 2 behind Jeremy Swayman. The trade, announced on July 1, added a $3 million cap‑hit contract for two more years. Rangers analyst Dave Maloney noted the financial commitment surprised him, but the team now has the cap space to absorb another experienced netminder.

Garand, the 24‑year‑old who posted a 2‑0‑1 record, 1.62 GAA and .948 save % in three starts from March 22‑April 15, earned a two‑year, $1.75 million deal on June 21. He’s been praised by coach Mike Sullivan and teammates, including Shesterkin, for his poise in limited action. Yet with Korpisalo on the roster, Garand’s path to the No. 2 role grows murkier. The Rangers must decide whether to keep three goalies on the opening‑night roster or risk losing Garand on waivers.

Shesterkin, the Rangers’ Vezina‑contending starter, has publicly backed Garand, calling his recent performances “electric” and likening his style to Marc‑Andre Fleury. A solid backup eases the starter’s workload and provides insurance against injury. If Garand slips to the AHL, Shesterkin could see more minutes and less rest between starts, potentially affecting his elite numbers.

One scenario keeps all three netminders in New York, using the cap flexibility to rotate them. However, as Maloney warned, a three‑goalie rotation rarely works because practice nets are limited. More likely, Korpisalo will start Opening Night, Garand will be placed on waivers, and if unclaimed, he’ll return to Hartford for heavy AHL duty while serving as the Rangers’ emergency call‑up. This would preserve Shesterkin’s preferred backup while giving Garand a chance to prove himself again.

The team’s goaltending depth will be tested early. If Garand clears waivers, the Rangers retain a promising young goalie who can step in if Shesterkin or Korpisalo falters. Conversely, losing Garand could thin the pipeline, forcing the Rangers to rely heavily on Korpisalo’s consistency. Either way, Shesterkin’s performance will be under a microscope, as a reliable backup often translates to more wins in a grueling 82‑game schedule.

Shesterkin will report to training camp later this month, where he’ll compete for the starter’s role alongside Korpisalo in practice. His feedback on the new depth chart will likely shape the Rangers’ final roster decisions. Fans can expect the goalie’s name to dominate pre‑season coverage as New York navigates this “tricky situation.”