Is the Rangers’ New Starting Goalie Worth Adding?
Igor Shesterkin is out for the season. Dylan Garand is next in line. But is the young New York Rangers goaltender a fantasy hockey sleeper, or are we getting ahead of ourselves?
The fantasy hockey landscape changed dramatically on Saturday when the New York Rangers announced that superstar goaltender Igor Shesterkin would miss the remainder of the season with a lower-body injury. Shesterkin was off to a strong start, posting a 3-1-0 record with a 1.31 goals-against average and a .954 save percentage through five appearances. Losing a goaltender of his calibre is a significant blow for New York.
For fantasy managers, however, the injury creates an opportunity.
Enter Dylan Garand, the 24-year-old goaltender who now has a chance to take over the Rangers’ crease. With backup Joonas Korpisalo also sidelined by a lower-body injury, Garand is expected to get his first opportunity as New York’s starter when the Rangers host Vancouver on Sunday.
Garand has limited NHL experience, but his early numbers are hard to ignore. Is he worth adding to your fantasy roster before everyone else catches on?
Let’s take a closer look.
Dylan Garand: The Numbers That Stand Out
Garand has appeared in just five NHL games, but his early results have been impressive.
NHL career statistics entering his first start as the Rangers’ primary option:
- Record: 3-1-1
- Goals-against average: 1.31
- Save percentage: .954
- Shutouts: 1
Those numbers include Garand’s impressive start to the 2026-27 season. On October 2, he stopped all 22 shots he faced in a 2-0 victory over Detroit, recording his first NHL shutout. He followed that performance by making 11 saves in relief of Shesterkin against Washington on Friday.
It’s a remarkable start for a goaltender who was recently sent to the American Hockey League after clearing waivers.
However, fantasy managers need to remember that five NHL games are a very small sample size. Garand has shown that he can perform at this level, but he hasn’t yet demonstrated that he can maintain those results over an extended stretch.
That’s the biggest question surrounding his fantasy value.
The AHL Numbers: A Reason for Caution?
Before we get too excited about Garand’s NHL numbers, we need to look at his performance with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Last season, Garand posted the following statistics across 36 AHL games:
- Record: 16-15-2
- Goals-against average: 2.83
- Save percentage: .896
- Shutouts: 1
Those numbers are considerably less impressive than his early NHL results. An .896 save percentage isn’t particularly encouraging for a goaltender who may now be asked to handle a starting workload in the NHL. There are reasons not to overreact to those numbers, though. Goaltending statistics can be influenced by team defence, shot quality and consistency. A young goalie can also improve as he gains experience.
Garand has demonstrated that he can deliver strong performances against NHL competition. His shutout against Detroit is a particularly encouraging sign. Still, fantasy managers shouldn’t treat his early NHL statistics as a guarantee of future success.
The Add List Take: Garand’s NHL performance gives us reason to be interested, but his AHL numbers remind us that there is still some uncertainty here. He’s an intriguing fantasy target, not an established starting goaltender.
What Does This Mean for the Rangers’ Goaltending Situation?
Garand’s opportunity is about more than Shesterkin’s injury. Korpisalo is also out, with the Rangers indicating that he is expected to miss approximately four weeks. That leaves Garand in position to receive a meaningful opportunity rather than simply filling in for a game or two. For fantasy managers, playing time is critical. Even a goaltender with some question marks can become valuable if he’s receiving regular starts. More starts mean more opportunities to collect wins, saves and potentially shutouts. Garand also joins a Rangers team that began the season playing well. New York had won four of its first five games before Friday’s loss to Washington. The team has demonstrated that it can compete, although replacing Shesterkin’s elite goaltending will be a significant challenge. The Rangers don’t need Garand to become Shesterkin overnight. They need him to give them a chance to win.
For fantasy managers, that distinction matters. If Garand can provide reasonably consistent performances while receiving regular starts, he could deliver meaningful value even if his numbers fall well short of Shesterkin’s.
The key will be how he handles the increased workload.
Is Dylan Garand Worth Adding in Fantasy Hockey?
Our answer: Yes, particularly in deeper leagues.
Garand is one of those players whose fantasy value can change dramatically because of circumstances. A week ago, he was fighting for a roster spot. Now, he has an opportunity to become the Rangers’ primary goaltender. That makes him worth serious consideration on the waiver wire.
Here’s how we’d approach him in different league formats.
Deep Leagues: Add Him Now
If you’re playing in a 12-team league or deeper, Garand should be on your radar immediately. Goaltenders who receive regular starts can be difficult to find on the waiver wire, and Garand has already shown flashes of NHL-level ability.
If you’re struggling for goaltending depth, he’s a reasonable addition before his roster percentage starts climbing.
Standard Leagues: A Worthwhile Gamble
In standard leagues, the decision depends on your current goaltending situation. If you have a secure starting tandem, you may want to monitor Garand for another start or two before making a move.
However, if you’re short on goaltending starts or need an upside play, adding him now is defensible. Waiting for a larger sample could mean losing him to another manager.
Shallow Leagues: Watch Closely
In shallow leagues, Garand is more of a watchlist candidate unless you have an immediate need for a goaltender. His opportunity is appealing, but the lack of an established NHL track record makes him a riskier option than proven starters.
Watch how he performs over his next few starts. If he continues to deliver strong results, he could quickly become a more attractive option.
The Risks Fantasy Managers Need to Consider
There are three things we’d be watching closely.
1. Can he maintain his save percentage?
A .954 career NHL save percentage is excellent, but it’s based on very limited experience. Regression is likely as Garand faces more NHL competition and a larger volume of shots.
2. Can he handle a starter’s workload?
Playing occasionally is different from starting regularly. Garand will face more pressure, and the Rangers will need him to remain consistent as opponents get more opportunities to study his game.
3. How will the Rangers respond defensively?
Shesterkin often gave New York the ability to survive difficult defensive stretches. Without him, the Rangers may need to tighten up defensively to protect their inexperienced starter. If the team limits quality scoring chances and gives Garand sufficient goal support, his fantasy outlook improves considerably.
The Add List Verdict: Dylan Garand Is a Fantasy Hockey Sleeper
Dylan Garand is an intriguing fantasy hockey target at exactly the right time.
His early NHL numbers are excellent, he’s coming off a shutout, and the Rangers’ current injury situation creates a genuine opportunity for regular starts. Those factors make him worth considering on the waiver wire. The concerns are real, too. His NHL sample is tiny, and his AHL numbers suggest that managers shouldn’t assume he’s ready to perform like an established No. 1 goaltender. But fantasy hockey isn’t always about finding the safest player. Sometimes it’s about recognizing an opportunity before the rest of your league does.
Our recommendation: Add Garand in deeper leagues, consider him in standard leagues if you need goaltending help, and monitor him closely in shallow formats.
The upside is there. Now we need to see whether he can turn a promising start into sustained NHL success. If he continues to perform, fantasy managers who act early could find themselves with a valuable waiver-wire addition.
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