Elliotte Friedman provides details on Connor Hellebuyck-to-Rangers trade after Shesterkin injury
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Elliotte Friedman says a Connor Hellebuyck trade to the Rangers doesn't add up after the Igor Shesterkin injury.
Igor Shesterkin went down in the second period of Friday's 3-1 loss to the Capitals, and the Rangers confirmed Saturday that he's done for the year.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet broke the news, which landed hard on a team that had opened the season 4-1-0.
The timing makes it even worse.
Backup Joonas Korpisalo is already sidelined with a lower-body injury, so Dylan Garand, recalled earlier this month, suddenly looks like the man in New York's crease.
Why the Hellebuyck talk started
You can see where the noise came from.
Hellebuyck went public on Aug. 27 about wanting out of Winnipeg, then got suspended by the Jets on Sept. 16 after he didn't report to training camp.
A star goalie who wants a new home, and a team that just lost its own.
Fans connected those dots in about five seconds, and the speculation spread fast.
Friedman shut it down on Saturday Headlines.
He said he doesn't expect it to happen, doesn't think the two sides match up, and doesn't believe it works.
Re Igor Shesterkin injury/Rangers: "This has led to a lot of wild speculation...about, could Connor Hellebuyck be a fit for the Rangers? Don't expect it, I just don't think it matches up, I don't think it works."
- Elliotte Friedman
- Elliotte Friedman
What it means for the Rangers
He also made a fair point about the money.
If both goalies were on the roster, each would have a long-term deal after this season, which makes the fit even clumsier.
So for now, the Rangers will likely lean on Garand while the front office keeps an eye on the market.
Hellebuyck's standoff with the Jets stays unresolved, and plenty of teams will keep asking about him.
It's a rough blow for Chris Drury and a Rangers group that was finally rolling after two straight years without playoff hockey.
How they handle goaltending from here will shape the entire year.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Winnipeg Jets locker room sends blunt message to Connor Hellebuyck
Winnipeg Jets locker room sends blunt message to Connor Hellebuyck