Who’s in goal? Just ask Benny
When asked how he plans to deploy the Rangers’ goaltenders this season, new head coach Gerard Gallant smiled, and didn’t hesitate to answer honestly.
“I’m a big fan of listening to Benny,” he said Saturday after the third day of training camp, referring to the organization’s director of goaltending, Benoit Allaire. “That’s his job and responsibility. He does a great job with it.
“We’ve got some good goaltending, I know that. I’m confident with that. Whenever Benny sort of leads me in that direction, that’s probably where we’re going to go.”
Gallant did not know Allaire, who has been with the Rangers since 2004, before he was hired as the team’s head coach. Gallant, however, said he was well aware of the longtime goaltending coach’s history and the respect he commands around the NHL. Allaire has lasted through six coaching regimes.
➤ Ahead of the Rangers’ first exhibition game, against the Islanders on Sunday at the Garden, Gallant wouldn’t reveal who will start in goal. Reigning No. 1 goalie Igor Shesterkin said Saturday he would play in as many preseason games as management would give him.
Last season’s No. 2, Alexandar Georgiev, and Keith Kincaid, who also played last season, are among the other goalies in camp.
Shesterkin, who was a restricted free agent this offseason, signed a four-year, $22.7 million extension with the Rangers in early August. The deal was a record for a goalie on a second contract. Shesterkin said he was happy to get the negotiations out of the way.
“I just want to play hockey,” he said.
Considering he missed 10 straight games in March with a groin injury, and has dealt with lower-body injuries throughout his brief NHL tenure, Shesterkin was asked if he did any work this offseason geared toward preventing injuries.
“I’ve been working on my flexibility,” Shesterkin said. “So I’m basically a gymnast now.”
➤ The Ryan Reaves School of Goonery is in session, and Vitali Kravtsov was the first to get a oneon-one lesson. Reaves could be seen teaching Kravtsov how to effectively grab an opposing player’s jersey and stay on his feet during a scuffle.