Dylan Garand is making a strong case to become the New York Rangers’ backup goaltender for the 2026-27 season. Although he had been called up before, Garand hadn’t yet seen NHL action. With the Rangers out of playoff contention, they decided to give him a shot, and he's certainly making the most of it.
In his first two games, Garand has been impressive, posting a 1.44 goals against average and a .954 save percentage. He even notched his first NHL win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Head coach Mike Sullivan praised Garand's performance, noting his composure and control on the ice. "It's great for our team, it's great for our organization," Sullivan said, highlighting Garand's hard work to reach this point.
The future of veteran goaltender Jonathan Quick remains uncertain. At 40, Quick’s performance has dipped, with a 5-16-2 record, a 3.18 goals against average, and a .889 save percentage.
During Igor Shesterkin's absence due to injury, Quick struggled with a 1-8 record. These challenges open the door for Garand to potentially step into the backup role.
Garand remains focused on the present, saying, “I’m just trying to live in the moment and give the guys a chance to win.” With Quick not yet cleared to return, the Rangers aren't rushing to send Garand back to the AHL. Sullivan hinted that Garand’s continued NHL presence is likely, given his performance.
As the season winds down, it seems wise for the Rangers to keep Garand in the mix. With nothing to lose, they can further evaluate his potential in NHL games. Sullivan expressed optimism about Garand’s future, stating, “He’s played extremely well, which is real encouraging from our standpoint.”
The Rangers have a promising young goalie in Garand, and as the team looks ahead, his development could be a key storyline. Whether he becomes the permanent backup or not, Garand is certainly giving the Rangers plenty to think about.