How the Rangers Can Become the Team Igor Shesterkin Needs
If there’s anything the New York Rangers haven’t had to worry about in some time, it’s the goaltending. From the early 2010s with Henrik Lundqvist, to the 2020s with Igor Shesterkin, they’ve certainly been blessed. Good goaltending can certainly get you far, but to go all the way to the top, the whole team must do its job. While the goaltending has always been dominant, the team in front still has yet to earn them their Stanley Cup. While the team in front couldn’t get Lundqvist the Stanley Cup he deserved, there’s still time for Shesterkin. After bringing his team to two Eastern Conference Finals, Igor just needs that team in front of him to reach the top. As the goaltender begins the first season of his new contract, how can those in front become the team he needs?
If there’s anything that wins championships, it’s defense, and New York needs some very much. One of the key reasons for last season's collapse was probably one of the worst defensive seasons in years. The Blueshirts did their best to fix it anyway they could, including saying goodbye to their captain, Jacob Trouba, and K’Andre Miller. With a new defensive pair, Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov, New York has a big chance to bounce back defensively next season. The first pair is the least of fans' worries, though; it’s the other two that need to do their job. Apart from Braden Schneider, fans haven’t seen so much from the others, and while Will Borgen made a strong impression during his time last season, Urho Vaakanainen and Carson Soucy may not be loved just yet. Defense is one thing, but to win, you need to score with some offense.
The Blueshirts may have imploded defensively, but their goal scorers remain. To this day, Artemi Panarin remains their best goal scorer. He may not score as much in the postseason, but he is a big part of what gets his team there. On his line, Alexis Lafrenière and Vincent Trocheck may have had an off-season, but if there’s a line that can bounce back, it’s theirs. Mika Zibanejad, again, in the off-season, is still one of their best shooters; he just needs to find that one timer again. Even with veteran players in a slump, if there’s a youngster who can score, it’s Will Cuylle. Within this roster is still an offense that can score, and one offseason should do nothing but bring them back to their senses. The 29-year-old goaltender enters the first year making the money he deserves, but for him to climb to the top, he’ll need something he also deserves: a team in front of him.
