New York Rangers prospect Danai Shaiikov was unaware he had been drafted by the team until he returned from the bathroom. The 19-year-old goaltender from Kazakhstan, who played for the Gatineau Olympiques in the QMJHL last season, was attending a predraft showcase in Miami when he stepped away during the third round of the NHL draft. Upon his return, he was met with applause and learned the Rangers had selected him with the No. 67 overall pick.
Shaiikov, the first goaltender drafted by the Rangers since Talyn Boyko in 2021, expressed that the selection validated his decision to move from Russia to Quebec last season. He aimed to play in North America to pursue his NHL aspirations, especially after not being drafted in his first year of eligibility. "It’s a good moment for me and for my family, for like all my former coaches," Shaiikov said. "But real work starts now for me. It’s like a lot of work ahead of me, so yeah, nothing changed. It’s good, but it’s just one day of good like memories and everything."
During predraft interviews, Shaiikov identified current Maple Leafs goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky as an idol but stated he more closely resembles Rangers star Igor Shesterkin. His season with Gatineau, where he recorded a .903 save percentage and a 2.78 goals-against average over 50 games, required him to adapt to a faster pace on a smaller rink. Shaiikov noted that his goalie coach helped him make adjustments to his "structure things" and other "small details" that proved important.
John Lilley, the Rangers' director of player personnel and amateur scouting, highlighted that goalie scout Scott Clemmensen was instrumental in advocating for Shaiikov's selection. Shaiikov is expected to play for Gatineau again in the 2026-27 season. Following his junior career, he is seen as a potential addition to the team's organizational depth, especially with goaltenders Hugo Ollas and Talyn Boyko not receiving qualifying offers.
Shaiikov, who has not yet spoken with Shesterkin, acknowledged that it would be a significant moment if such an interaction occurs. The Rangers' goaltending depth chart is further influenced by the acquisition of Joonas Korpisalo and the presence of Dylan Garand. However, Shaiikov may find a role within the organization once he transitions to professional play. "I’m just happy to be here," Shaiikov said. "It’s an honor to be in such a legendary organization."
In other team news, the Rangers signed defenseman Dennis Cholowski and forward Glenn Gawdin to two-year contracts on Thursday. Cholowski, 28, has appeared in 173 NHL games, including 17 with the Devils last season. Gawdin, 29, recorded 51 points in 71 games for AHL Ontario during the 2025-26 campaign.