Stanley Cup Champion goalie could unretire to join Rangers following Igor Shesterkin’s injury

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Stanley Cup Champion goalie could unretire to join Rangers following Igor Shesterkin’s injury

Lou Landers · The Big Lead

Sat, Oct 10, 2026 ·

2 min read

Jonathan Quick could make shocking return

NHL: Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers

Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick (32) eyes the puck in the corner against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

One of the most surprising possibilities is a familiar face. ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported that Jonathan Quick coming out of retirement and returning to the Rangers is considered a possibility.

Quick retired following the 2025-26 season after spending his final three NHL seasons with New York. The 40-year-old is still with the Rangers organization, however, having recently taken over as the team's director of goaltending development.

Jonathan Quick is reportedly viewed as "a possibility" to come out of retirement and play in net for the Rangers, per @emilymkaplan 🤯With Igor Shesterkin done for the season and Joonas Korpisalo still a month away from returning, the Rangers are desperate for help in goal and could turn to the 40-year-old veteran 👀

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 10, 2026

That connection could make a potential return easier to envision, even though Quick has already moved on from his playing career.

Rangers desperately need help in goal

NHL: Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers

Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick (32) takes a break during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The urgency is obvious. Shesterkin suffered the season-ending injury Friday against the Washington Capitals after his right leg awkwardly jammed into the goalpost. He was forced to leave the game after making 13 saves on 14 shots.

Korpisalo, meanwhile, is dealing with a lower-body injury and is expected to remain out for roughly another four weeks. That leaves Dylan Garand as New York's immediate option in net.

Quick would bring an enormous amount of experience if he were willing to return. The three-time Stanley Cup champion finished his NHL career with 410 wins and 65 shutouts, both NHL records for an American-born goaltender.

For now, a Quick comeback remains only a possibility. But with the Rangers suddenly facing a season-long Shesterkin absence, bringing a franchise legend out of retirement may be one of the most fascinating options on the table.