Spencer Martin’s Wild Ride Lands Him Back in the NHL with the Rangers
Spencer Martin’s 2025-26 season has already been a journey - and it just took another sharp turn. On Sunday, the New York Rangers recalled the 30-year-old goaltender from AHL Hartford, capping off a whirlwind stretch that’s seen Martin go from Russia to Cleveland to Broadway in just a matter of weeks.
Let’s rewind for a second. Martin started this season across the globe with CSKA Moscow in the KHL.
In 14 games, he posted a 5-6-0 record, a 2.69 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and two shutouts - solid numbers in a league known for its tight checking and defensive structure. But his stint in Russia came to an abrupt end in mid-November when his contract was terminated.
The Rangers wasted no time scooping him up, signing Martin to a two-year deal the very next day. He was placed on waivers - a procedural move - and after going unclaimed, was sent to Hartford to get back into game shape.
That didn’t take long.
Martin made his Wolf Pack debut Saturday night and didn’t just shake off the rust - he looked sharp, stopping 35 of 37 shots in a 3-2 road win over the Cleveland Monsters. Less than 24 hours later, he was headed to New York, not back to Hartford.
A Familiar Date, A Fresh Opportunity
The timing of Martin’s recall is more than just convenient - it’s poetic. Exactly one year to the day earlier, he made his last NHL appearance, starting for the Carolina Hurricanes in a tough 6-0 loss to the Florida Panthers. That night, Martin made 23 saves, but it was a rough outing in what turned out to be a challenging NHL stint.
Last season, he was thrust into action with the Hurricanes when Frederik Andersen went down with an injury. Martin’s numbers in that backup role behind Pyotr Kochetkov weren’t pretty - 3-4-1 with a 3.89 GAA and .846 save percentage - but he did have a few standout moments.
He earned his first NHL shutout in a 4-0 win over Ottawa on Nov. 16 and picked up a win over the Rangers on Nov. 27.
Down in the AHL, Martin showed more consistency, winning 20 games with the Chicago Wolves. That team also featured defenseman Scott Morrow, who’s now in the Rangers organization after being acquired in the offseason K’Andre Miller trade.
A third-round pick by Colorado back in 2013, Martin has logged 66 NHL games with the Avalanche, Canucks, Blue Jackets, and Hurricanes. He carries a 24-30-8 career record with a 3.56 GAA and .883 save percentage - numbers that don’t jump off the page, but tell the story of a journeyman who’s managed to stick around and fight for every opportunity.
Why the Rangers Called Martin Up Now
Martin’s return to the NHL comes at a critical time for the Rangers. Jonathan Quick is on injured reserve with a lower-body issue, and the team needs a reliable backup behind Igor Shesterkin. There’s a strong chance Martin would’ve been called up sooner had he gotten into a game for Hartford earlier, but the timing finally lined up after Saturday night’s performance.
With four games on the Rangers’ schedule this week - including a tough back-to-back at home against the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights - it’s possible Martin sees action sooner rather than later. Shesterkin has started four straight, including both games this past weekend. He won three of those and gave the Rangers a fighting chance in a 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay, but the workload is piling up.
Martin’s presence gives the Rangers a veteran option to lean on if they want to give Shesterkin a breather. He’s been in the league long enough to handle a spot start, and his recent AHL outing suggests he’s ready.
Dylan Garand Returns to Hartford
The flip side of the move is that Dylan Garand, the 23-year-old rookie who had been backing up Shesterkin, is headed back to Hartford. Garand dressed for all four games last week, but when head coach Mike Sullivan had a chance to give him his first NHL start during the weekend back-to-back, he stuck with Shesterkin both nights.
That decision speaks volumes. The Rangers have consistently leaned on veteran depth when forced to go beyond their top two goalies.
In recent seasons, that meant Louis Domingue. Now, with Martin in the mix, the Rangers are once again opting for experience over youth in the NHL crease.
Sending Garand back to Hartford makes sense. He’s better off playing games than riding the bench, especially after an AHL All-Star campaign last season where he won 20 games. This year, he’s 3-6-2 with a 2.96 GAA and .897 save percentage - not eye-popping, but the kind of numbers that can improve with more consistent playing time.
What It Means Moving Forward
Martin’s recall is more than just an injury fill-in. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change in the NHL crease. One week you’re playing in Russia, the next you’re suiting up for the Rangers in Madison Square Garden.
With Quick’s status still uncertain and a demanding schedule ahead, Martin could be called upon to do more than just open the bench door. He’s got the experience, he’s shown he can bounce back quickly, and now he’s got another shot at the NHL stage.
For the Rangers, it’s a smart insurance move. For Martin, it’s another chapter in a career that refuses to slow down.