In the world of hockey, the New York Rangers are facing a critical deadline as they scramble to secure a contract extension with their star goaltender, Igor Shesterkin. With just two weeks left before talks are put on hold until after the season, the pressure is on to come to an agreement.
According to reports from both The New York Post and The Athletic, Shesterkin is reluctant to engage in contract negotiations during the season as he prefers to keep his focus on the ice. The Post also reveals that Shesterkin’s camp is aiming to make him the highest-paid goaltender in the league, seeking an average annual value of a staggering $12 million.
At 28 years old, Shesterkin is in the final year of a four-year, $22.67 million deal he signed back in August of 2021. His current contract carries a cap hit of $5.67 million, but he is looking to significantly increase that figure in his next deal.
In terms of goaltender salaries, injured Montreal Canadiens star Carey Price holds the top spot with a cap hit of $10.5 million, followed by Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers at $10 million. Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning comes in third with a cap hit of $9.5 million, while Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders round out the top five with deals worth $8.5 million and $8.25 million, respectively.
Shesterkin’s performance on the ice is what makes him worthy of such a hefty payday. Last season, he posted a 36-17-2 record with a .913 save percentage and a 2.58 goals against average. In the playoffs, he went 10-6 with a .927 save percentage and a 2.34 GAA before the Rangers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Final by the Florida Panthers.
The crowning achievement of Shesterkin’s career came in 2022 when he was awarded the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender. That season, he boasted a remarkable 36-14-4 record with a 2.07 GAA and a .935 save percentage, solidifying his status as one of the best in the game.
Drafted 118th overall by the Rangers in 2014, Shesterkin has amassed an impressive career record of 135-59-17 with a .921 save percentage and a 2.43 GAA. His talent and consistency between the pipes make him a valuable asset for any team, and the Rangers are eager to secure his services for the long term. As the clock ticks down on the negotiation window, all eyes are on Shesterkin and the Rangers as they work to hammer out a deal that will keep him in New York for years to come.
