NY Rangers Eyeing Nearby Rival For Goalie Fix

With Igor Shesterkin out for the season, the New York Rangers are trying to address their goaltending situation by doing their due diligence, scouring the league for who might be available. 

Insider Elliotte Friedman has reported that they're likely going to try to find someone with only a bit of term left on their deal, as Shesterkin will be back next year will still have six years left on his contract. 

He also reported on NHL Network that they've got their eye now on a nearby New York State rival. 

There have been some rumblings out there that they like (Ukko-Pekka) Luukkonen (of the Buffalo Sabres). So that's one I'm definitely going to be watching... Even though Luukkonen has some term, I always think you can do something now and then do something again later, if you have to.

In other words, find a solution now, then make another trade to flip him next summer. 

Of course, the Sabres would have to be interested in whatever the Rangers are offering. 

Luukkonen does have another two years left on his contract after this one, at a $4.75 million cap hit. They're navigating a three-goalie system at the moment, though Alex Lyon is on IR, and Colten Ellis has had a bit of a rough go the last couple of times he's appeared. 

The Sabres, however, are still considered a prime candidate to land Winnipeg Jets' holdout Connor Hellebuyck. If they were to finally pull that off, it would make UPL available for the Rangers to pursue (unless the Jets insist on receiving him back as part of the return package.)

The Rangers, in the meantime, will continue to do their due diligence looking for help between the pipes. Youngster Dylan Garand was terrific in his first four games, but suffered a tough loss in his last game.