Veteran defenseman Calvin de Haan criticized the New York Rangers front office this past week and praised his teammate, Igor Shesterkin. The 33-year-old, a recent trade acquisition from the Colorado Avalanche in a deal that sent Ryan Lindgren the other way, played just three games for New York. Rangers Coach Peter Laviolette then scratched him for the last 18 games of the season.
The Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021 after going 4-13-0 starting in November 2024.
Calvin de Haan Laments Underperforming NY Rangers Dragging Down Igor Shesterkin
ESPN writer Greg Wyshynski posted a quote from De Haan on X where the defenseman praised Rangers starting goalie Igor Shesterkin.
Calvin de Haan on @NYRangers goalie Igor Shesterkin: “He’s probably the best player on the team. Fuck, he's good. I think we pissed away good goaltending [this season].”
(De Haan also talked of his frustration in not playing, wanting to prove himself because “I’m old in hockey”)
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) April 21, 2025
Speaking to the media during the Rangers’ Exit Day event on Monday, April 21, De Haan opened up about trying to get as much ice time as possible at this stage of his career.
“I’m an older hockeyer, so my career could be over this summer for all I know. It is what it is, but just not having that opportunity to compete and use that as a tryout for the rest of the NHL was very frustrating, obviously. I’m just trying to prolong my career, trying to keep playing,” De Haan told reporters.
He also praised his new teammates’ talent, stating that there were “flashes of brilliance” worthy of a team that should have been in the postseason, but also criticized their inconsistency and weak defending.
The Rangers finished the season with a 39-36-7 record and 85 points, six points short of the Montreal Canadiens, who occupied the final Wild Card spot in the East. The front office responded to their poor results by firing head coach Peter Laviolette and his deputy Phil Housley on Saturday, April 19.
“I want to thank them both and wish them and their families all the best going forward. Peter is first class all the way, both professionally and personally, and I am truly grateful for his passion and dedication to the Rangers in his time as head coach,” New York Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury said in an official statement.
“After finishing with the best regular season record in the NHL a year ago and making a trip to the Eastern Conference Final, we came into this season with high expectations for ourselves. Quite simply, we failed to meet those expectations. We must all do better – myself included.”