Since the New York Rangers are set in goal this season with Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick, their top goalie prospect can continue to mature and work on his game in the minor leagues. And that’s just fine with Dylan Garand.
“I’m not afraid to say that it’s pretty set in stone, (Shesterkin and Quick) are going to be here,” Garand said Wednesday at the start of rookie camp. “Of course, I want to play in the NHL, but my time will come. For me, I’m really just focused on my game and just trying to get better every day. I want to play in the NHL for sure, no doubt, more than anything, but I don’t want to rush my way there. I want to make sure I’m ready to go.”
Garand’s game has developed nicely over the past two seasons in Hartford, where he has split time with veteran Louis Domingue. Last season, the 22-year-old played 39 games, earning a 16-17-5 record and posting a .898 save percentage and 3.03 goals-against average.
What really stood out was how well Garand played in the Calder Cup Playoffs. In nine postseason games, he was 5-4 with an excellent .922 save percentage and solid 2.59 GAA, helping lead the Wolf Pack to the Atlantic Division Final for the second straight year.
In fact, it’s also the second straight season that Garand followed up an inconsistent regular season with terrific postseason play. In 2022-23, he was 13-14-3 with a 3.01 GAA and .894 save percentage in 31 regular-season games. That preceded an outstanding playoff run when Garand was 5-3 with a 1.76 GAA, .935 save percentage and two shutouts in eight games.
Garand finished second among AHL goalies in the 2023 postseason in GAA and save percentage at the age of 21.
Though he needs to be more consistent in the regular season, it’s not a bad trend to be playing his best hockey in the biggest game during the postseason.
“The stats don’t really tell the story,” Garand said of his regular-season numbers. “In the playoffs, it’s the best time of the year. I’m a competitive guy, I love to win. When the game is on the line, I like to think that I step up a bit. I love playing in the playoffs, it’s something that I feel is a big part of my game.”
Being a big-game goalie is nothing new to Garand. He starred for Kamloops in the Western Hockey League and helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2022 World Junior Championship, when he won all six of his starts and posted a 1.98 GAA.
Dylan Garand ‘getting close’ to being ready to play in NHL with Rangers
Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack Credit: Hartford Wolf Pack
The Rangers have one of the best 1-2 goalie combos in the NHL. In case of emergency, Domingue, with 143 games of NHL experience, is next man up. None of those three goalies is signed past this season.
Of course, it’s priority No. 1 for the Rangers to hammer out a massive contract extension with Shesterkin before the franchise goalie becomes an unrestricted free agent next July 1. And we’ll see if Quick, who’s 38 now, retires at the end of this season or re-ups for another year — or more.
So, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves with Garand. For now, he’s in a great spot. As long as he keeps developing his game, Garand will enter the NHL prepared and in a good place. There’s no reason to rush him.
When will that day come? Could be next season, if Quick retires and Garand proves ready to make the jump to be Shesterkin’s backup.
“Just keep getting better every day. Go down to Hartford and use that time well. Play a lot of games, get more experience, and keep getting better,” Garand said about his mindset. “I just want to be ready to go. I’m getting close to being ready for sure, but I’m definitely excited for another year ahead.”
Step one this season is dominating at rookie camp, where he’s the most seasoned goalie participating. Then, Garand will soak up all he can at Rangers camp, and try to make a positive impression there before heading back to Hartford.
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