Dylan Garand sets up his Rangers future after another solid season with AHL Hartford

Dylan Garand continues to take the next steps as the top goalie prospect in the New York Rangers organization. The 22-year-old is coming off his best pro season with Hartford of the American Hockey League, and is setting himself up to be Igor Shesterkin’s backup on Broadway in the not-too-distant future.

Of course, barring injury, that won’t happen next season. Jonathan Quick is under contract to be the Rangers’ No. 2, but he’ll be 40 years old in January, so Garand’s time is not far off.

Garand supplanted veteran Louis Domingue as the clear No. 1 in Hartford this season and responded with a career highs across the board: 20 wins, 2.73 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and three shutouts.

The fourth round pick (No. 103) by the Rangers in the 2020 NHL Draft is a restricted free agent this summer, coming off his entry-level contract. The Rangers will certainly qualify him, and a two-year bridge deal sounds about right.

Looking back on Dylan Garand’s rise in Rangers organization

Garand won five of his first seven starts this past season, setting the stage for his best and most consistent regular season since turning pro. In addition, he won multiple starts in four instances (two: Oct. 19 – 30 and Jan. 5 – 10, three: Mar. 15 – 22, four: Dec. 4 – 14) for a team that didn’t provide the goalie much support on either side of the puck.

Hartford coach Grant Potulny leaned on Garand, trying to make the playoffs. Garand started 13 of Hartford’s final 19 games.

Overall, his 20 wins is tied for 14th most in the AHL and his .913 save percentage tied for ninth. Garand played 2,327:09 (13th most minutes in AHL) and faced 1,225 shots (sixth highest). He handled the heavy workload and took big steps forward in his development.

In December, Garand was named AHL Goaltender of the Month, when he was 4-2-0 with two shutouts, a 1.35 GAA, and save percentage. The last Wolf Pack goalie to earn this honor was Igor Shesterkin in October 2019. Garand is the sixth Hartford goalie to win this award.

The following month, Garand was selected to participate in the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic.

Garand is 49-42-16 with a 2.92 GAA, .902 save percentage and eight shutouts in three seasons since joining the Wolf Pack in late 2020-21. In two Calder Cup Playoff runs, Garand has been excellent, 10-7-0 with a 2.21 GAA, .927 save percentage and two shutouts).

He’s a big-game goalie, evidenced by his helping Canada win the World Junior Championship in 2022. Garand also played for Canada in the just-completed 2025 World Hockey Championships. He appeared in one game and shut out Slovenia 4-0 in the tournament opener, before watching Marc-Andre Fleury and Jordan Binnington handle the goalie duties the rest of the way.

Where Dylan Garand fits in Rangers organization

Outside of Garand, the Rangers have decent goaltending depth. In the system, Hugo Ollas and Callum Tung are signed for next season, and Talyn Boyko, who played in five AHL games, is a restricted free agent like Garand. Given that group, Garand should be the clear No. 1 in Hartford next season, though Tung is an intriguing option after he signed as an undrafted free agent in March.

Domingue, who played three seasons in Hartford, was an unrestricted free agent and signed with SKA in the KHL. That clears the path for Garand, now that he’s got more pro experience under his belt.

Looking ahead at Dylan Garand’s future with Rangers

Despite Quick returning on a 1-year deal, Garand could make a compelling case to be the Rangers backup in 2026-27. Quick could retire after next season or not be re-signed. Given the youth movement and cap navigation, Garand is a great internal option. A strong preseason and consistent season in Hartford should do the trick for Garand.

If there are injuries, Garand should be the first candidate to be called up. His first NHL game in the regular season would build his confidence further and gauge his readiness.

While the Rangers are in win now mode, they also will need to lean on their youth to build the future. That’s where Garand fits in as Shesterkin’s backup in the not-so-distant future.