Rangers Daily: The Fox, Shesterkin factor; Devils captain non-committal
As the New York Rangers pile up points down the stretch of this lost season, and the kids earn deserved kudos for helping bring energy back into the lineup — and into Madison Square Garden — let’s not overlook two very important veterans whose collective value is unequaled by anyone else wearing the Blueshirt.
That would be Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin.
Fox is on an absolute heater right now, riding a seven-game point streak (three goals, 10 assists) heading into the home finale at MSG against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. Coming off a three-point game against the Washington Capitals on Sunday, Fox has multi-point efforts in five of his past seven games. He now has 50 points (eight goals, 42 assists) in 51 games, and his 0.98 points-per-game average is best on the Rangers — excluding Artemi Panarin (1.10), who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings before the Olympic break.
Shesterkin’s won three of his past four decisions, allowing one goal in each of those victories. His .912 save percentage is tied for third best in the NHL this season, and his 2.50 goals-against average is fifth best among all goalies.
When Fox and Shesterkin each sustained a lower-body injury Jan. 5 against the Utah Mammoth, the Rangers were 20-18-5, and survived one extended injury absence by Fox already. They just blew out the Florida Panthers at the Winter Classic and were in the playoff mix. Even with Fox and Shesterkin healthy, the Rangers weren’t a Stanley Cup contender. But in the super tight Eastern Conference, they had a shot to make the playoffs.
Without Fox and Shesterkin, the Rangers were 2-11-1, dropped to last place in the East, and traded Panarin to kickstart a retool. There’s a reason why I called Fox and Shesterkin the two most irreplaceable players on the Rangers, both on the Rink Rap podcast and here in print at Forever Blueshirts. The Rangers cratered without these two in the lineup.
The eye test tells you exactly how important Fox and Shesterkin are, and how this season could’ve taken on a different tone and/or result had they not been injured that fateful night at MSG against the Mammoth.
With Fox in the lineup, the Rangers are 25-20-6 — not out of this world great, but better than average, for sure. Without him, the Rangers drop to 8-16-3.
When Shesterkin starts, the Rangers are 25-17-7 (including that OT loss against the Mammoth, which is on Jonathan Quick’s ledger). In games started by Quick, Spencer Martin, and rookie Dylan Garand, the Rangers are 8-19-2.
Invaluable members of the Rangers. And proven to be irreplaceable in the lineup.
Rangers news and analysis
Matthew Robertson is the Rangers nominee for the Masterton Trophy for “perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”
It hasn’t been an easy first season as Rangers captain for J.T. Miller, but teammate Mika Zibanejad said he’s “so proud” of how Miller’s handled a very difficult situation.
With the help of Jonny Lazarus, we raise the question of whether the Rangers should re-sign pending UFA forward Jonny Brodzinski.
The Hartford Wolf Pack weekly spotlights Rangers prospect Bryce McConnell-Barker, who has seven points in his past seven games in the minors.
NHL news and rumors
New Jersey Hockey Now: James Nichols proposes a couple trade options after reporting that Devils captain Nico Hischier is non-committal about remaining with them past next season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Nichols also breaks down five things that led to the Devils firing general manager Tom Fitzgerald this week.
Philly Hockey Now: On the ice, the Flyers strengthened their hold a playoff spot, and the Devils were officially eliminated from contention, with Philly’s 5-1 win in New Jersey.
NHL.com: The Colorado Avalanche clinched the top playoff seed in the Western Conference with a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues.
TSN: On the latest Insider Trading, Darren Dreger reported that fired Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy is ready to hop right back into another coaching gig in the NHL, confirming his spot atop the list of coaching candidates this upcoming offseason.
Daily Faceoff: The Detroit Red Wings expect forward Michael Rasmussen to miss a couple games down the stretch after he sustained a lower-body injury in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sportsnet: The Toronto Maple Leafs hired an executive search firm to help with finding a new general manager after Brad Treliving was fired last week.
The Athletic ($$): Michael Russo reports that Minnesota Wild top prospect Charlie Stramel won’t make his NHL debut anytime soon despite signing his entry-level contract this week. That’s because he sustained an ankle fracture during the NCAA tournament, blocking a shot when playing for Michigan State.
Daily Faceoff: The Carolina Hurricanes clinched first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins, but lost defenseman Jalen Chatfield with a lower-body injury in the process.
