Rangers’ Shesterkin placed on IR, Fox on LTIR

The New York Rangers are going to be without their two franchise cornerstone players for the time being.

According to multiple reports, the team has placed star goaltender Igor Shesterkin on injured reserve after he suffered an injury during New York’s 3-2 loss at the hands of the Utah Mammoth at home on Monday night.

Shesterkin was relieved by backup Jonathan Quick after his injury, and the veteran will now shoulder the load between the pipes until Shesterkin is able to return. The Russian will continue to be evaluated.

The 30-year-old has been a silver lining throughout another difficult season for the Blueshirts, as he’s posted a 17-12-4 record with a .913 save percentage and 2.45 goals against average on the year.

Quick has excelled in his backup role with the team going 3-6-2 in his appearances despite a sterling .919 save percentage and 2.23 goals against average.

Number one defenseman Adam Fox is being placed on long-term injured reserve, and he will not be eligible to return to the team’s lineup until January 31 at the earliest.

Fox, who was controversially not named to Team USA’s roster for the Winter Olympics in February last week, was previously out with an injury from November 29 through January 31. The star defenseman has 4 goals and 24 assists for 28 points in 30 games played this season.

Despite the excellent goaltending that Shesterkin and Quick have provided, the Rangers are struggling for the second consecutive season. The 2023-24 Presidents’ Trophy winners are seventh in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 20-18-6. By points percentage, they’re the worst team in the Eastern Conference.

The Rangers are off on Tuesday and Wednesday before hosting the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. They will then make the short trip up to Boston to take on the Bruins on Saturday to close out their schedule for the week.