2025 Season Preview: Jonathan Quick

 This article is part of an ongoing series of Rangers Season Previews, taking a close look at what we can, and should, expect from each member of the 2025-26 New York Rangers. To read other articles in this series, go here.

Jonathan Quick needs no introduction. But in these Season Preview exercises, we’re required to find a way to accurately describe the legendary goaltender, who is likely entering his final professional hockey season. The three-time Stanley Cup winner and one-time Conn Smythe trophy recipient is gracefully moving through the twilight of his career, and in terms of his goaltending, it’s almost as if he hasn’t lost a step.

Quick has been monumental for the Rangers these past two seasons. As a Rangers fan growing up, he’s living out his childhood dream and contributing to the team’s chemistry and development through veteran leadership and by being the best teammate he can be. From taking Blake Wheeler’s kids skating at the family day in the Rangers Stadium Series after Wheeler suffered a season-ending injury to letting young Blueshirts like Matt Rempe live in his basement and helping them acclimate to the life of a professional, the Rangers could not have asked for a better partnership.

Previous Performance

After the Los Angeles Kings made the difficult decision to move on from their franchise goaltender, Quick bounced around the NHL. He ended up on a Vegas Golden Knights team, and although he suffered an injury and didn't play a single minute in the postseason, he won his third Stanley Cup. That offseason, for the first time in his career, Quick’s future was uncertain. After some radical acceptance, Quick was prepared to take on the backup role and give it his all. He signed with the Rangers and exceeded everyone’s expectations.

With Benoit Allaire at the helm, the Rangers could find a way to turn a youth hockey goalie into an NHL pro. Quick’s legacy and foundational skills only enhanced what Allaire could do for the veteran. In his first year in New York, Quick played 27 games, posting a stat line like Shesterkin's with a 2.62 GAA and a .911 SV%, along with 18 wins and two shutouts. As Igor struggled at times during the year, some Rangers fans even quipped that Quick should arguably get the starting job until Igor figured out what was afflicting him.

Quick's second season with the team didn't live up to the high expectations set by his first year. As everyone knows, the Rangers struggled, and unless you're named Will Cuylle, you had a pretty tough year. Quick's stats took a hit, but it's hard to fault him given the team's overall performance. Despite the challenges, Crhsi Drury extended Quick's contract for another year, making it his third consecutive one-year deal with the team. With Dylan Garand still developing yet showing some promise over the past two years, Drury ultimately decided to stick with a reliable backup option for at least one more season.

Expectations

Quick is expected to play in at least 25 games to give Shesterkin time to rest throughout the year. He'll also need to get back to his first-year form as a Ranger and have a save percentage above .900, so his team has a shot at winning every night he plays. A realistic and achievable goal for Quick would be to win 15 of his starts. As long as Igor stays healthy, these expectations would make for another successful year for Quick and the Rangers.

Predictions

I genuinely believe Quick will overcome any adversity and have another outstanding year as the Rangers’ primary backup. He’s too much of a gamer to accept defeat or anything less than a positive result. As the winningest goalie in American history, Quick’s legacy is at stake as his career winds down. Will he go out quietly, or will he help backstop a resurgent Rangers team aiming to make up for lost ground from the 2024-25 season? With all the organizational changes, I think it’s likely we see the latter — Quick increases his wins and shutout stats throughout the year and helps reestablish the winning culture the Rangers' management is eager to see in the locker room. I’m betting Quick will play 31 games, win 20, post a .916 SV%, and record two shutouts.

Conclusion

The truth is there are plenty of serviceable backup goaltenders available, and the Rangers even have one within their own organization who is inching closer to an NHL career. However, none of the other options can provide the intangible benefits that Quick offers. His championship experience and veteran expertise enable him to support the team in subtle and skillful ways. It’s more than just the results we see on the ice. He was born with arguably the greatest goalie name of all time. He broke our hearts in 2014. But his relentless drive to win and his dedication to being the best teammate he can be have warmed up the entire city of New York during some cold, challenging times over the past two years.

It has been an honor to witness Quick ascend the throne of best American goalie of all time, and it will be an honor to see him play out his career.