The New York Rangers are at a crossroads in their season - and in their goaltending depth chart. With Spencer Martin recently called up to back up Jonathan Quick, the team is leaning on a veteran presence in the short term.
But if the Rangers are serious about building a sustainable contender, the focus needs to shift to the future. That future could very well include Dylan Garand.
Let’s be clear: Martin’s presence isn’t about long-term upside. He’s been a serviceable stopgap, but his numbers - both this season and historically - paint the picture of a journeyman who’s unlikely to move the needle. Meanwhile, Garand is sitting in the wings with plenty of pro reps under his belt and a resume that deserves a closer look.
The Case for Garand: Why Now Matters
Garand isn’t some untested rookie. He’s logged 132 games in the AHL, putting up a .902 save percentage and a 2.93 goals-against average in regular-season action.
When the lights got brighter in the playoffs, he elevated his game - posting a .927 save percentage and a 2.21 GAA across 17 postseason starts. Those are the kind of numbers that suggest a goalie with poise, consistency, and the ability to rise to the occasion.
And here’s the thing: there’s no better time than now to see what he can do at the NHL level. The Rangers are dealing with injuries, inconsistency, and a stretch of games that’s testing their depth.
Rather than shielding Garand from that adversity, this is exactly the kind of environment that can reveal what he’s really made of. Can he handle NHL speed behind a depleted lineup?
Can he battle through defensive breakdowns and still give his team a chance to win? These are the questions the Rangers need answered - not in theory, but in practice.
What’s the Risk?
Let’s talk risk-reward. Martin has struggled since joining the club, posting a .848 save percentage and a 4.13 GAA - numbers that, frankly, aren’t surprising given he started the year in the KHL.
If Garand were to post similar numbers, it would be disappointing, sure - but at least the Rangers would be learning something valuable about a player who could be part of their future. With Martin, there’s no long-term upside.
With Garand, there might be - and that’s worth exploring.
Garand turns 24 in June. That’s not old by goaltending standards, but it’s about the time when NHL teams start to figure out whether a prospect is part of the plan or not.
Most goalies who carve out NHL careers have at least gotten a taste of the league by this point. For Garand, that opportunity has been surprisingly slow to arrive, especially considering his strong pedigree from the CHL and his consistent play in Hartford - even behind a Wolf Pack team that hasn’t exactly made life easy for him.
The Bigger Picture: Cap Efficiency and Roster Building
The Rangers don’t just need a backup goalie - they need a cost-effective one. With Jonathan Quick nearing the end of his career and Igor Shesterkin commanding a significant cap hit, having a reliable, inexpensive No. 2 in the pipeline is a major asset. If Garand can prove he’s ready - or even close - it gives the front office more flexibility heading into the offseason and beyond.
There’s also a window here. With the Olympic break looming, the Rangers have a finite number of games to experiment without derailing their season.
Giving Garand a start or two, evaluating his performance, and then sending him back to Hartford for more reps is a low-risk, high-reward move. It’s the kind of strategic decision that smart front offices make when they’re balancing short-term survival with long-term planning.
Bottom Line
The Rangers have a chance to learn something important about one of their own - and they shouldn’t waste it. Dylan Garand has earned a look, not just because of what he’s done in the minors, but because of what the team needs right now and in the future.
With Martin struggling and Quick nearing the end, the time to find out what Garand can do isn’t next season. It’s right now.