from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

Tuesday’s match at the Garden represents the first game of the second half of the season, but it seems more like Game 1 of 2020-21 — and beyond — for the Rangers now that Igor Shesterkin has been recalled from AHL Hartford and given the starting assignment against the Avalanche.

It is unclear whether the Blueshirts willingly jumped into the future or were pushed by the unnerving prospect of Shesterkin exercising his contractual out-clause and leaving the Wolf Pack to return to the KHL or play in another league in Europe. It is not known whether ultimatums were issued or hypothetical dates were discussed, but we do know that management has been in constant communication with the goaltender’s agent, Rick Komarow, over the last month, if not longer.

The thing is, the timing of this maneuver is a bit curious. Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev remain on the roster and are in good health. Lundqvist isn’t going anywhere. Georgiev’s waivers-exempt status expired on Dec. 20, when he played the 60th game of his NHL career. And though Georgiev has been erratic over the last two weeks, while Lundqvist has hit some high notes but missed on others, the team’s goaltending is the least of its problems.

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