Hockey is more often than not, fast, frenetic, and intense. And it may not seem like it but some of the most intense moments happen between the pipes. After all, it’s the goalie who ultimately has the final say in any scoreline. So it’s no surprise that the New York Rangers were eager to lock down that position. Before the trade deadline, there were several rumors doing the rounds about Rangers star, Jonathan Quick moving to another team, with his contract set to expire this season. While that didn’t happen, talks were going on between Quick’s team and the Rangers over a potential contract extension.

The veteran shot-stopper is one of the most experienced players in the Rangers’ lineup and has won the Stanley Cup a whopping three times. As a result, the side from New York had to tie him down to an extension in order to utilize his experience and leadership for the foreseeable future.

Minutes ago, reports emerged that Quick had signed a contract extension with the Rangers. The deal is reportedly worth $1.55 million, with the Rangers tying down Quick for another season. This comes as a huge relief to Rangers fans, who risked losing the veteran star for nothing once he hits UFA status this summer.

After a stellar decade and a half with the Los Angeles Kings, Quick joined the Golden Knights in 2023 before signing as a free agent with the New York Rangers shortly after. While it was initially a 1-year, $925,000 contract, the Rangers extended the deal for this season and raised his salary to $1.2 million. Given his consistent performances over this season, the Rangers decided to hand Quick his newest contract extension. Additionally, he also received a raise of over 20% as well as $300,000 in achievable bonuses, as reported by AP News.

Quick has been a great backup goalie for them, having played 48 games this season and accumulating a 27-12-4 record, with a save percentage of .898. Additionally, he has a 2.83 goals-against average with five shutouts, making him one of the best backup options in the league. Meanwhile, the Rangers succumbed to their fourth consecutive loss in the NHL to the Winnipeg Jets, 2-1.

As a result, they languish in 5th in the Metropolitan Division, and their chances of making it to the Stanley Cup playoffs have been thrown into limbo. The onus lies on veterans like Quick, who are also important for their leadership and experience. Furthermore, Quick is happy with his new role in the Rangers’ camp. He is being used as a backup goalie and revealed how that has helped his career.

Jonathan Quick talks about his role with the Rangers

Once a regular shot-stopper, Jonathan Quick has been playing second-string for the Rangers for the most part of the 2024-25 season. The Rangers have preferred Igor Shesterkin ahead of Quick but the latter has benefited from playing behind Shesterkin at this stage of his career. During an interview, he opened up about the benefits of his new role with the Rangers.

Quick mentioned, “For the most part I would say it helps as far as you are playing once a week as opposed to three, four times a week. For the body, you play that game and you have a couple days to recover and prepare for the next one. I just like being around the team. Coming and competing every day. However I can help the team, just tell me what I have to do and I’ll do it.”

His veteran status and years of success in the league have made for a stabilizing force in the locker room for the team and particularly for Shesterkin as well. He’s important on the ice and off of it; what more could a team ask for?

Nonetheless, Quick has stood up to his duty whenever being called up to the crease and has been a pivotal part of the Rangers’ roster this season. Thus, he deserved a contract extension and will now shift his focus to helping his team make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.