Rangers Roundup: Igor Shesterkin finally hits the ice but will not play, salary cap going up, and more

The New York Rangers finally welcomed back their number one goaltender, Igor Shesterkin back to the ice. Even though he did not take part in the morning skate, it was good to see him out there and stretching.

In other news, Ryan Lindgren did not skate this AM but the Rangers called it a maintenance day so he is a go for tonight against the Buffalo Sabres.

Rangers goalie Shesterkin back on ice

Igor Shesterkin had to be helped off the ice at 5:08 of the third period in a win over the San Jose Sharks earlier this month. The 25 year-old netminder was dealing with a lower-body injury after making a save and diving on the rebound during a scrum in front of the net. He appeared unable to put weight on his right leg.

Shesterkin is 13-3-2 with a .937 SV% and a 2.05 GAA on the season.

“They’re telling me it’s not as bad as it looked,” Gerard Gallant said after the game. “They told me not to worry.” He later added that he felt comfortable that Shesterkin would be ready to go in a week. It looks like it will be a little longer.

The Rangers placed Shesterkin on IR the next day. He was eligible to return for tonight’s game but either Alexandar Georgiev or recent call up Keith Kinkaid will get the nod in net.

I’m feeling fairly confident it will be Georgiev. He’s 4-1-1- with a 3.36 GAA and a .882 SV%.

NHL Salary cap going up

Today at the NHL Board of Governors meeting, commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that the salary cap ceiling will indeed rise to $82.5 million for next season. An increase of $1 million.

There’s also indication that the cap will rise to $83.5 for the 2023-24 campaign. A much larger increase won’t come until the 2024-25 season when the escrow owed by the players is paid.

NHL Rumors

In the aftermath of AV’s firing, word is coming out that he lost the Flyers dressing room. And what does the sale of the Penguins mean for Malkin and Letang? Read more.