Shesterkin sets Stanley Cup target for Rangers as camp opens

Igor Shesterkin made his expectations crystal clear as Rangers camp opened, saying the team’s goal this season is to win the Stanley Cup after missing the playoffs last year for the first time in four seasons. The Russian netminder stressed that excellence remains the standard and that the organization is focused on returning to title contention this season.

Shesterkin’s year in review reflected the team’s broader slump. He posted a 2.86 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage across 61 starts, the highest GAA and the lowest save percentage of his time in New York since joining the team in 2019-20. He also logged more games than ever before, finishing with a 27-29-5 record. Off the ice, his offseason routine was largely similar to last year, with added emphasis on strength training, aiming to support a revamped defensive group around him as the Rangers attempt to rebuild from last season’s downturn. Gavrikov, a new addition the team has pursued, is someone Shesterkin already knows from his youth days with Russia’s national program, providing a potential bridge between a changed blueline and the goalie crease.

Artemi Panarin did not complete a training camp session on Friday because of a lower-body issue, though head coach Mike Sullivan described the situation as precautionary and day-to-day in its early stages. The development adds another layer of caution as the team begins to integrate new pieces and adjust the defensive structure around Shesterkin.

MSG announced that Dave Starman will serve as color analyst on the Rangers radio broadcasts alongside play-by-play voice Alex Faust this season. On the bench, the coaching duties were clarified: David Quinn will run the power play and defensemen, while Joe Sacco will oversee penalty kills and forwards. Quinn previously handled the power play and defensemen duties for Sullivan during their Pittsburgh years.

The changes reflect an intent to sharpen the Rangers over the course of a demanding season, with Shesterkin and the team eyeing a rapid return to playoff prominence. As camp continues, the organization will gauge how quickly the new roster dynamics and coaching assignments can translate into sustained performance in front of a goalkeeper who has the franchise’s long-term ambitions in clear view.