Igor Shesterkin, the talented goaltender for the New York Rangers, has made a bold decision to decline the team’s lucrative contract offer. Sources close to the situation revealed that Shesterkin turned down an eight-year, $88 million deal, which would have made him the highest-paid goalie in NHL history.
This offer would have surpassed the record-breaking eight-year, $84 million contract signed by Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens back in 2017. At 28 years old, Shesterkin is currently in the final year of his four-year, $22.67 million deal with the Rangers. If he doesn’t come to an agreement with the team on a new contract, he will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Shesterkin, who was an All-Star in the 2021-22 season and won the prestigious Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goalie, had an impressive performance last season. He finished with a record of 36-17-2, a .912 save percentage, and a 2.58 goals-against average. Despite his success on the ice, Shesterkin remains uncertain about his future with the Rangers.
“I love the team, I love the fans, so of course it will be great to stay here,” Shesterkin expressed in September. “But you never know what’s going to happen.” Over his five seasons with the Rangers, Shesterkin has established himself as a top goaltender, boasting a record of 135-59-17, a .921 save percentage, and a 2.43 GAA.
As the Rangers prepare for their regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Shesterkin is expected to be the starting goalie. The veteran Jonathan Quick, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, will serve as the backup in the net. Last season, the Rangers clinched the Presidents’ Trophy as the best team in the regular season but were ultimately defeated by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference finals.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Shesterkin and the Rangers as they navigate contract negotiations and strive for success in the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.