New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin is being placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury, according to someone familiar with the decision.
The person, who spoke to The Associated Press anonymously on Tuesday, confirmed the move had not yet been officially announced. Shesterkin’s injury will keep him out of action as the Rangers struggle with a four-game losing streak.
They have lost seven of their last eight games and 15 of their past 19, which has dropped them from a strong playoff position to last place in the Metropolitan Division, just ahead of the Buffalo Sabres at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Shesterkin, 29, recently signed a $92 million contract extension that runs through the 2032-33 season. So far this season, he has a record of 11-15-1 with a 3.10 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage in 27 games.
Last season, the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner posted a 2.58 GAA and .912 save percentage, helping the Rangers win the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular-season record and reach the Eastern Conference final, where they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, Florida.
Shesterkin’s injury follows moves made by Rangers general manager Chris Drury, who traded captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim and winger Kaapo Kakko to Seattle earlier this month, in an effort to improve the team’s performance.
