The New York Rangers suddenly have a problem that could reshape their entire season. Igor Shesterkin is out for the remainder of 2026-27, leaving New York without its franchise goaltender just as the team was building early momentum.
Naturally, the biggest question around the NHL is whether the Rangers will pursue a blockbuster trade for Connor Hellebuyck. But there’s an important development: Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman believes that particular deal is unlikely because of the long-term financial commitment involved.
Instead, the Rangers appear prepared to give 24-year-old Dylan Garand an opportunity to prove himself. It’s a remarkable situation for a goalie who cleared waivers before the season.
Meanwhile, Saturday delivered 14 NHL games, with William Nylander exploding for five points against Colorado, Kirill Kaprizov recording a hat trick in Florida, and the Montreal Canadiens emerging from a bizarre scoreless battle with Detroit.
Here’s the latest NHL news, NHL trade rumors, injury updates, and NHL scores heading into Sunday’s action.
New York Rangers Face Their Biggest Test Without Igor Shesterkin
Shesterkin suffered his injury Friday against Washington when his right skate appeared to catch the goalpost during a scramble. The Rangers confirmed Saturday that he would miss the remainder of the season.
The injury ends an excellent start for the 30-year-old goaltender, who had a 3-1-0 record, a 1.79 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
Making matters worse, backup Joonas Korpisalo is also sidelined with a lower-body injury.
That leaves Garand carrying enormous responsibility. Across his first five NHL appearances, he owns a .954 save percentage, a 1.31 goals-against average and one shutout.
Those are encouraging numbers, but five appearances cannot tell us how a goaltender will handle a lengthy NHL schedule.
My take: New York’s first priority should be determining whether Garand can give the team consistent NHL goaltending. A rushed trade could solve an immediate problem while creating a much larger salary-cap problem next season.
Why Connor Hellebuyck to the Rangers Looks Unlikely
Hellebuyck’s ongoing situation with Winnipeg makes him one of the biggest names in NHL trade speculation.
However, Friedman indicated during Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines that a Rangers acquisition would create a difficult long-term fit.
The financial implications are significant.
Shesterkin carries an $11.5 million annual cap hit, while Hellebuyck carries an $8.5 million cap hit. Together, those contracts represent $20 million annually, equivalent to approximately 19.2% of this season’s $104 million NHL salary-cap ceiling.
For a team that already has its franchise goalie signed long-term, absorbing another expensive contract would create serious future roster-building challenges.
Rangers Goaltending: Cap & Trade Fit
What would a Hellebuyck blockbuster mean for New York’s long-term salary structure?
Rangers Replacement Fit Index
Editorial model, not a statistical trade probability or sourced trade offer. Scores are illustrative assessments using cap fit (40 points), asset preservation (35 points) and near-term roster fit (25 points). Garand: 40+35+15. Short-term veteran: 25+20+21. Hellebuyck: 5+5+14. The cap comparison uses annual contract values, not available cap space or LTIR relief. Trade options are hypothetical.
Other goaltending possibilities have been floated publicly, including Mackenzie Blackwood and Filip Gustavsson. Those names should be treated as speculative possibilities rather than evidence that negotiations are underway.
In my view, a shorter-term solution would be more logical than sacrificing premium assets for another long-term starting goaltender.
Vancouver Canucks Linked to Connor Zary Trade Interest
The Rangers aren’t the only team generating NHL trade rumors.
Friedman also identified Vancouver as one of the teams showing interest in Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary, who recently cleared waivers and returned to the American Hockey League.
The Flames reportedly don’t want to retain salary, making any transaction more complicated.
From Vancouver’s perspective, there’s some logic in exploring a move. The Canucks have struggled to generate consistent momentum, and acquiring a young forward at a reduced trade cost could fit a longer-term roster strategy.
But interest doesn’t guarantee a deal, and no imminent transaction has been confirmed.
NHL Scores and Highlights: October 10, 2026
Saturday’s 14-game NHL schedule featured standout offensive performances, three shootout decisions and an overtime winner.
Toronto defeated Colorado 6-3 behind Nylander’s two goals and three assists. Auston Matthews contributed two goals and two assists, while Nathan MacKinnon scored twice for the Avalanche.
Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov scored three times and added an assist in a 4-1 victory over Florida. The Panthers, already dealing with significant injury concerns, suffered their first regulation defeat of the season.
Brandon Hagel also recorded a hat trick, scoring the decisive goal late in Tampa Bay’s 5-3 win over the Islanders.
Montreal’s 1-0 shootout win over Detroit was particularly unusual. Jacob Fowler and Daniil Tarasov each stopped all 30 shots they faced before Zachary Bolduc finally decided the game in the sixth round of the shootout.
Saturday NHL Scores & Highlights
October 10, 2026 • 14 games • All final
Game star: William Nylander scored twice and added three assists. Auston Matthews recorded four points.
Game star: Kirill Kaprizov recorded a hat trick and an assist. Jesper Wallstedt made 29 saves.
Game star: Brandon Hagel completed a hat trick and scored the late winner. Jake Guentzel scored twice.
Game star: Fraser Minten had a goal and two assists. Philadelphia remained winless at 0-4-2.
Game star: Nico Hischier scored his 200th NHL goal and finished with two goals and an assist.
Game star: Connor McDavid extended his point streak. Macklin Celebrini scored in his return from injury.
Game star: Jacob Fowler made 30 saves for a shutout. Zachary Bolduc scored the sixth-round shootout winner.
Game star: Jackson Blake and Jordan Martinook each had two points. Sebastian Aho scored short-handed.
Game star: Anders Lee, Kailer Yamamoto and John Marino each had a goal and an assist.
Game star: Jimmy Snuggerud scored twice and Jonatan Berggren broke the tie in the third period.
Game star: Tyler Seguin tied it late for Dallas before Rickard Rakell delivered the decisive shootout goal.
Game star: Drake Batherson tied the game with 1:23 remaining. Ottawa completed the rally in a shootout.
Game star: Ryan Poehling scored the short-handed winner but was injured on the play. Calgary fell to 0-5-0.
Game star: Mitch Marner scored a power-play winner at 2:40 of overtime to extend Vegas’ winning streak to four.
SO = Shootout • OT = Overtime. All games played Saturday, October 10, 2026. Final scores and game notes verified against NHL game recaps.
NHL Injury Updates: Panthers, Kraken and Ducks
Florida continues to deal with the absence of two important veterans. Brad Marchand is expected to miss approximately six weeks with a lower-body injury, while captain Aleksander Barkov faces a six-to-eight-week absence.
Seattle Kraken forward Jacob Melanson is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a vascular pseudoaneurysm and associated hematoma. The team says he will be monitored throughout his recovery.
Anaheim also received concerning news Saturday when Cutter Gauthier left against Calgary with an upper-body injury and Ryan Poehling was hurt after scoring a short-handed goal. Further medical evaluations are expected.
NHL Stars Making Early Statements
William Nylander’s five-point performance is another reminder of Toronto’s offensive ceiling. The Maple Leafs can overwhelm opponents when their best players are creating chances together.
Macklin Celebrini, meanwhile, has emerged as the early Hart Trophy favourite in a poll of NHL.com writers and editors. The San Jose captain returned from injury Saturday and scored against Edmonton, although the Oilers secured a 3-1 win.
Connor McDavid extended his season-opening point streak to five games and had 13 points through those contests.
These early-season performances are already creating interesting fantasy hockey decisions. Nylander, Kaprizov and McDavid remain premium offensive assets, while young goaltenders like Fowler and Garand deserve closer attention as their responsibilities grow.
What NHL Fans Should Watch Next
The Rangers’ response to Shesterkin’s injury is the biggest storyline to follow. Garand’s performance against Vancouver could influence how aggressively management explores outside goaltending help.
Keep an eye on the Hellebuyck situation in Winnipeg, Vancouver’s reported interest in Zary, and Florida’s ability to survive a difficult injury stretch.
The NHL season is still young, but for several teams, the decisions made over the next few weeks could already have consequences for the spring.
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