GREENBURGH, N.Y. _ Igor Shesterkin was the Rangers' No. 1 goaltender when the NHL halted play on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. And given coach David Quinn's assertion when the team reconvened last week for the start of Training Camp II that he wanted the team to "pick up where we left off," it's a reasonable assumption that _ barring something unexpected _ Shesterkin most likely will be Quinn's pick to play in Game 1 of the Rangers' best-of-5, play-in series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Aug. 1.
Shesterkin won't make that assumption, however.
"I'm working hard every day, playing at 100%, working hard to reach that goal to be back," Shesterkin said Sunday, through interpreter Nickolai Bobrov, the club's Director of European Scouting. "But, it all depends on the coaching staff. The bottom line is, I'm so happy to be back. No matter what happens, I'll be supportive of my teammates."
