Injury Update: Jonathan Quick
The New York Rangers have sent Jonathan Quick to injured reserve due to a persistent lower-body injury stemming from a third-period incident involving Michael Carcone during a match against the Utah Mammoth. This injury not only sidelines Quick, but it also alters the dynamics within the team, especially considering Quick’s significant influence off the ice.
Teammate Igor Shesterkin expressed his esteem for Quick, stating, “He is an amazing goalie. I love him. Every practice with him is a new lesson for me. We try to help each other be better every day.”
Team Adjustments
While the duration of Quick’s absence remains uncertain, the Rangers have taken steps to cover his position by recalling Dylan Garand from the Hartford Wolf Pack, their American Hockey League affiliate. With Quick typically serving as the backup to Shesterkin—who has started in 18 games compared to Quick’s 6—the coaching staff, led by Mike Sullivan, faces the challenge of managing Shesterkin’s workload effectively.
Sullivan highlighted the necessity of balancing the responsibilities between goaltenders to enhance team performance, stating, “In today’s game, it’s hard to go wire-to-wire with one goaltender. The second goalie is required.”
Sullivan indicated that he may adapt his strategy regarding Shesterkin’s ice time in light of Quick’s injury, hinting at an increase in Shesterkin’s games played. “We’ll probably make decisions on a game-by-game basis. If anyone’s in a position to take on more of a workload, I think Shesty is postured to do that,” Sullivan noted after a recent practice. Until now, Shesterkin has avoided back-to-back games, but the shifting circumstances could lead to changes in that approach.
Additional Roster Changes
In a related move, the team has also placed Juuso Parssinen on waivers. This season, Parssinen, a 29-year-old goalie, has record-keeping of 8 wins, 8 losses, and 2 overtime losses, with a .909 save percentage and a 2.50 goals against average.
As Quick recuperates, Garand, who has demonstrated solid performance in the AHL with a record of 20-10-9 last season, is positioned to step in as the backup. Garand believes that through continued effort, he will eventually seize a permanent NHL position, stating, “I think I showed this year that I can be one of, if not the, best goalies in this league and NHL caliber.”
This switch also shifts the mentoring dynamic, with Shesterkin, the 2022 Vezina Trophy recipient, now expected to assist Garand. Shesterkin has acknowledged Garand’s work ethic, saying, “He’s a pretty good kid… If he needs something, of course, he can always ask me.”
Upcoming Challenges
The Rangers face a challenging stretch of games ahead, including matches against formidable opponents such as the Carolina Hurricanes, the Boston Bruins, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, putting additional pressure on Shesterkin as he assumes a more prominent role during Quick’s absence. This scenario reflects the ongoing adjustments NHL teams must navigate due to injuries, particularly in a competition as fierce as the league’s.
