​NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 09: Dylan Garand #33 of the New York Rangers warms up before the game against the Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden on November 09, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) GettyNEWARK, NJ – MARCH 22: Dylan Garand #33 of the New York Rangers skates his rookie lap prior to the game against the Winnipeg Jets on March 22, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Image GettyThe New York Rangers made a splash on Sunday by waiving goaltender Dylan Garand.After suffering a disastrous 2025-26 season, the Rangers knew they’d be faced with tough decisions.But the risk of waiving Garand could backfire. He’s now cracked a top 10 ranking — did New York make a mistake?New York Rangers’ Dylan Garand Now Considered Top 10 Available PlayerGettyNEWARK, NJ – MARCH 22: Dylan Garand #33 of the New York Rangers skates his rookie lap prior to the game against the Winnipeg Jets on March 22, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Image
Corey Pronman and Harman Dayal of The Athletic unveiled their latest rankings, this time highlighting the top 10 names available after roster cuts.According to the duo, 24-year-old Garand is among the few.“Garand has been inconsistent as a pro after a sterling junior career,” they wrote. “He has the quickness, technique and reads of a legit pro goaltender, but he is on the smaller side, and although he moves well, he isn’t the truly premier athlete you would want for a barely 6-foot goalie. I see the argument for a pickup, but he’s probably a No. 3 goalie for an NHL team.”Heading into the offseason, goaltending was a major point of emphasis for New York.Because the Rangers had acquired Joonas Korpisalo to fill the backup role behind Igor Shesterkin, Garand’s name slid off the table.He’s a developing goalie, but putting themselves in a position to potentially lose Garand was nothing short of a superfluous gamble.During his latest campaign — his first in the NHL — he recorded a 1.62 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage in three games.New York selected Garand 10th overall in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL draft.He’s shown flashes of success behind the crease in his brief appearances, but perhaps the Rangers moved too quickly by putting him on the block.Garand could be scooped up by another team, or he will be cleared.This article was originally published on HEAVYThe post New York Rangers’ Risky Dylan Garand Decision Leads to His Sudden Top 10 Ranking appeared first on HEAVY.