Report: Igor Sheshterkin's injury with the New York Rangers will result in his career being cut short

The Rangers officially placed Igor Shesterkin on injured reserve after he left the loss to the Utah Mammoth with what the team called a lower-body injury. Which was pretty clear given how he needed help off the ice and was later ruled out.

That IR move is the key point, it's not a four-day blip when the transaction itself forces at least a week on the shelf. At least a minimum of a seven-day absence, which instantly turns «day-to-day» vibes into real missed games.

Online, a few posts have jumped straight to «groin» and even «career getting cut short,» and that's where things get worrisome for the New York Rangers, because if it is groin injury, Shesterkin has already dealt with two.

The practical fallout is simple, the Rangers lean on Jonathan Quick while Shesterkin gets evaluated and ramped back the right way. That was the immediate plan the night he went down, and it hasn't changed, but clearly following another tough loss at MSG on Thursday night, things aren't going to be great for the Rangers.

It's fair to remember Shesterkin has dealt with a groin strain in the past, because goalies live in splits and pushes all night. But that history doesn't confirm what this injury is, it just explains the anxiety.

As for the Olympics talk, it's pure guesswork until the team puts a real timeline on it. ESPN's reporting points to «not worst-case» and not beyond a week-to-week designation, which leaves a wide range without making any promises.

Needless to say, the Rangers need their best player back, and Shesterkin needs this handled carefully so the season doesn't get away from them.

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