2025-26 New York Rangers Report Cards: Jonathan Quick – Hockey Writers – New York Rangers

The New York Rangers entered the 2025-26 season hoping to make the playoffs, but ended up with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. They had a few rookies play well and got some great scoring from Igor Shesterkin, but the team struggled when he was injured and Jonathan Quick started regularly.

Faster Performance by 2025-26

The Rangers signed Quick to be Shesterkin’s backup before the 2023-24 season, and the veteran had a great debut season with them, playing a key role in New York winning the President’s Trophy. He didn’t have as much success in 2024-25, though that was due to the team’s defensive struggles.

This season, Quick got off to a strong start, including posting a 23-save shutout in a 2-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 28 and stopped 32 of 33 shots in a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 7. Battled through screens and came up with key saves late in both games. The Rangers played better defensively earlier this season, but haven’t produced enough offensively to consistently win games.

After a solid career as the Rangers’ backup, Quick was forced into multiple starts after Shesterkin suffered a concussion in a 3-2 overtime loss at the Utah Mammoth on Jan. 5. He didn’t return until after the 2026 Winter Olympic break on Feb. 26. At the age of 40, Quick struggled when he was forced to play bad goals after some soft games. He won one of his nine games when Shesterkin was injured, and the team was well out of the playoff race.

Once Shesterkin returned and Quick was able to get more rest, he started to play better. He stopped all 21 shots he faced in a 4-0 win over the Calgary Flames on March 10 and 32 of 33 shots in a 4-1 win over the Red Wings on April 4 in his final home game. He finished with a 6-17-2 record, a .891 save percentage (SV%), and a 3.09 goals against average (GAA). He announced his retirement after his final game of the season, ending a 19-season career.

Finding a New Shesterkin Backup

Although Quick was coming off disappointing 2022-23 seasons with the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights, he did a great job once he signed with the Rangers. As long as Shesterkin is healthy and starts consistently, he’s done well in the early going and given New York a chance to win games.

The Rangers will miss Quick’s leadership, and will need to find a new backup next season. Towards the end of this season, rookie goaltender Dylan Garand was called up to the NHL, and he did a good job in the first three: He stopped 35 of 37 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on March 22, he stopped 27 of 28 shots in a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, and on March 3, 27 he won on March 3. over the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 15.

Garand is 24 years old and has spent most of the past four seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL). He looked solid in his first start this season, showing quickness and saving shots from space. If he has a strong training camp and preseason, he could earn a role as Shesterkin’s backup next season.

Overall Grade

While Quick has been very good overall in his three seasons with the Rangers, he has struggled with Shesterkin out and earned a C for his play this season. That said, the team will miss his leadership, and he deserves credit for his impressive performance with New York in the 2023-24 season. You’ve had an incredible career.