Goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin is a very demanding man who finds slumps difficult to endure and he wants to regain his confidence in 2021-2022, even though he put up excellent statistics last year.
The Russian, who won the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender in the National Hockey League, about fifteen months ago, proved somewhat less effective last season. Sure, he maintained a .916 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average, but those numbers were still a far cry from his 2.07 average and .935 save percentage from the previous year. However, the New York Rangers’ color bearer certainly believes that he is getting closer to yesterday’s performance level.
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“I just want to be positive every day. During last season I was angry with myself because I didn’t play the way I wanted. I think everyone remembers what I looked like during training. I was angry. “I didn’t want to talk too much to anyone except my family,” he told the New York Post.
If it can calm him down, he’ll have a good lifeline in the event of an unexpected disaster, as the Blueshirts have gotten their hands on veteran Jonathan Quick, who will replace Jaroslav Halak as the No. 2 goalie. The club’s new member is also impressed with Shesterkin’s hard work.
“He is a player. Obviously I’ve had to deal with this a few times over the last five years. It’s fun to see him put in so much effort and compete every day,” Quick said.
Work for two guards
In 2022-2023, Shesterkin played 58 games and local journalists expect a similar workload next regular season. However, head coach Peter Laviolette would like to point out that he is the man on board and will dictate what happens next.
“When it comes time to make decisions about training or what we do in training sessions, or even when it’s necessary to determine who will start the game and how many games everyone will play, it’s on all about me. This also includes communication with the goalkeeper, he said. If a decision needs to be made about the starter, I will consult and discuss; I am an inclusive teacher. I enjoy sitting with my deputies, talking and working together to figure out what’s best for the team. Often something can come up and we can be divided [sur une question]. So the verdict is mine.”