Igor Shesterkin will miss the remainder of the 2026-27 campaign with a lower-body injury suffered Friday in a devastating blow to the New York Rangers.
With veteran backup Joonas Korpisalo also out four weeks with a lower-body injury of his own, the 4-2-0 Rangers need to add a goalie. Dylan Garand has impressed in his brief five-game NHL career, but relying on the 24-year-old to carry the load moving forward would be unfair. Spencer Martin is the most likely recall option, but with an .881 save percentage in 72 career NHL games, he doesn't inspire much confidence.
Below, we analyze multiple goalies the Rangers could consider adding, and whether or not they're practical options.
Not realistic 🙅
Connor Hellebuyck, Jets
Let's get this one out of the way right off the bat. It's easy to link a star goalie seeking a trade to a team that just lost its own star netminder for the season, but Hellebuyck to the Rangers just doesn't make much sense. Remember, Hellebuyck is signed for four more seasons after 2026-27. Shesterkin is in the second season of an eight-year deal. Having two goalies making a combined $20 million per year against the cap beyond this season isn't going to fly. Trading for Hellebuyck to play this year, and then flipping him somewhere else next season also isn't realistic. This isn't a video game.
Quick UFA fixes ✍️
Petr Mrazek
Mrazek underwent hip surgery in February, but he posted on Instagram in August that he was fully recovered. His 10-game stint with the Anaheim Ducks last season didn't go well, but that can at least be partially attributed to the injury he was attempting to play though. Mrazek has been streaky throughout his 14-year career, but the 34-year-old arguably possesses the most upside of any unrestricted free agent still available.
Matt Murray
Murray led the Pittsburgh Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016-17, but injuries have largely defined the latter stages of his career. He's appeared in just seven NHL games since the start of the 2023-24 season. But he was effective in a brief five-game sample with the Seattle Kraken last season, posting a .922 save percentage. The 32-year-old may have more left in the tank.
James Reimer
What does Reimer have left to offer at 38 years old? He was surprisingly effective in 22 games for the Buffalo Sabres in 2024-25 (.901 save percentage) but looked his age in 14 appearances with the Ottawa Senators last season (.886 save percentage). At the very least, the 16-year veteran could serve as a mentor for Garand until Korpisalo returns.
Trade targets 🎯
Jordan Binnington, Blues
Joel Hofer is clearly the St. Louis Blues' No. 1 goalie after vastly outplaying Binnington last season and starting three of the first four games this year. Binnington was atrocious last season, but perhaps a change of scenery could help. The 2019 Cup winner flashed his big-game ability with Team Canada at the 2026 Olympics. As a pending UFA, he could be the perfect buy-low candidate for a Rangers team that needs a one-year solution.
John Gibson, Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings likely don't want to give up on their season this early, but the odds are stacked against them. Their top center, Dylan Larkin, doesn't want to be there. Their No. 2 defenseman, Simon Edvinsson, remains an unsigned restricted free agent and prefers a trade. Plus, they play in arguably the NHL's deepest division. Gibson is a pending UFA, and at 33 years old, he likely isn't in their long-term plans. Detroit could maximize the return it gets for Gibson by trading him now, especially since he performed well in 2025-26 with a .901 save percentage in 57 games.
Darcy Kuemper/Anton Forsberg, Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are also likely unwilling to wave the white flag on their season this early. But if their poor start continues, they should at least be willing to entertain trade offers for their veteran duo, who are both pending UFAs. Kuemper was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2024-25, but struggled a year ago. Forsberg played well last season but has mostly been a backup in his 12-year career. Minor-leaguer Erik Portillo is deserving of an extended NHL look if the Kings were to trade Kuemper or Forsberg.
Arturs Silovs, Penguins
The Penguins may not be keen on helping out a division rival, but it's easy to see why they might be willing to give up Silovs for the right price. Sergei Murashov is the goalie of the present and future in Pittsburgh, and Joel Blomqvist is capable of backing him up. Silovs will be an RFA after this season before he can become a UFA in 2028. If he can help fetch the Penguins a blue-liner, such as Scott Morrow, a trade could be mutually beneficial.
Sam Montembeault, Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens announced Friday that Montembeault will miss 10-to-14 days with a lower-body injury. While that's not ideal for a Rangers team that could use goaltending reinforcements immediately, it shouldn't completely remove Montembeault from consideration. Montembeault struggled last season, but he was stellar in each of the three years prior. With Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler capable of handling the Canadiens' net, Montreal would likely be willing to part with Montembeault, a pending UFA, for a reasonable cost.
