The New York Rangers already have several NHL-level goaltenders, but are still adding depth to the position. The perfectly-named Tyler Wall has agreed to terms on his entry-level contract with the team, which will begin in the 2020-21 season. The contract will be for two years.
Wall, a 22-year old netminder who was drafted 174th overall in 2016, became a star at UMass-Lowell over his four seasons there. As a senior in 2019-20 he recorded a .931 save percentage in 32 appearances, earning him a spot on the Hockey East Third All-Star Team.
While he may not come with the hype of Igor Shesterkin and may take longer than Alexandar Georgiev to make an impact at the professional level, Wall is a solid prospect in his own right. The 6’3″ goaltender posted a .918 save percentage over his college career and also served as an alternate captain this season.
Wall will likely join Adam Huska in the Rangers minor league system next season, but there are obviously still questions about how the team will deal with the NHL goaltending position. Even with Shesterkin and Georgiev ready to take over the full duties, Henrik Lundqvist remains on the roster with one more year left on his contract.
I can see a Lundqvist by out this season and Georgiev trade by next seasons trade deadline .
Is Wall ready to be the backup in one year? If not then they might as well keep one of them to back up Shesterkin.
You need to have a vet goaltender on the roster for the expansion draft for Seattle
Berube will most likely be left exposed.
His contract is up after the 19-20 season. Can’t expose what isn’t yours. One of Lundqvist or Georgiev will need to be exposed and Henrik has a full NMC. Its a tough situation to ask him to waive after all he has done.
@JtS12 also is Shesterkin ready for a full load of being the #1? He has shown the ability in limited sampling, not enough of a sample to prove he is capable of a full season. His career high is 39gp. Need to play 50+ to be a true #1 in the NHL. Best to have some insurance incase he is more of a timeshare guy down the road.
Perfectly named would be Taylor, not Tyler, Wall.
That way Taylor Hall could score on Taylor Wall or Taylor Wall could make a big save on Taylor Hall.
Have fun, Sam Rosen.
Huska should be ready to see if he’d make a good backup, and Wall could season another year as a starter for the Wolf Pack.
Huh! I wonder if Washington Center Nicklas Backstrom ever scored a goal on Minnesota Goaltender Niklas Backstrom ?
most teams have 3 goalies in their system that they feel comfortable playing in the NHL. They may want more depth at the position than that since they project to be a playoff team at that point but I think it could work
Rangers drafted Olof Lindblom,in the 2 round last year