New York Rangers fans won’t likely see netminder Igor Shesterkin following the Olympics. That’s not hyperbole. It’s more than likely a reality based on the way the season has gone for the Blueshirts.

New York stayed on the fringes of the playoff hunt thanks to Shesterkin’s lights-out goaltending. While the Rangers weren’t exactly winning hockey games hand over fist, Shesterkin papered over most of the team’s struggles.

That situation changed dramatically when Sheskterkin went down in early January. He exited the January 5 game against the Utah Mammoth, leaving a gaping hole in the Rangers’ crease. It was after Shesterkin’s inclusion into IR that led to the wheels coming off the Blueshirts’ season.

As it stands, there’s no indication if and when Sheskterkin will be back this season. But looking at the trajectory of the Rangers’ season, would it even make sense for the Russian star to get back on the ice?

Beyond getting back into game action for the sake of culminating rehab, there’s no logic to pushing Shesterkin to get back into any action this season. Unless Shesterkin were clearly ready to return and wanted to see some action before the end of the year, the best thing the Rangers could do is just shut him down for the remainder of the season.

Rangers could benefit from giving young goalies a long look

With Shesterkin likely done for the season, and veteran Jonathan Quick seeing his share of struggles, this period could be the right time to give the organization’s younger goalies a longer look.

23-year-old Hugo Ollas, a seventh-round pick from the 2020 NHL Draft, could be a good option to see some reps. The 6’8” netminder has not seen any NHL action this season. However, he played 14 games in the ECHL with Bloomington Bison. His 3.18 GAA and .895 SV% aren’t exactly mind-shocking. But AHL and ECHL numbers should be taken with a grain of salt.

Similarly, another 23-year-old, Dylan Garand, could see some playing time. The former fourth-rounder from the 2020 NHL Draft could benefit from seeing NHL action this season. He hasn’t played in the bigs yet this season. In the AHL, he’s suited up for 26 games, posting a 2.13 GAA and an .887 SV%.

The Rangers, honestly, don’t have a blue-chip goaltending prospect. But if the organization doesn’t give the young goalies in their system a real look, they’ll never know what they have. It won’t be until the Rangers fully realize where their goaltending prospects stand before determining if they need to acquire a goalie or not.