Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers celebrates with teammates following a 6-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin is in the news after reportedly rejecting an eight-year, $88 million contract extension with an $11 million annual average value.
Shesterkin will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and according to a well-placed source in the Metro Division who spoke with RG.org, he wants to set the goalie market for a long time, shattering the current mark held by Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens.
"He wants to set the market for goaltenders, and he doesn't want just to nudge it over the top," said the source. "He wants to set the market and not be beaten in that market in a little while."
Price is at the top of the list, and the salary cap hit is $10.5 million. However, he is not playing anymore for the Canadiens, and the active leader amongst goalies is Stanley Cup сhampion and current Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky at $10 million.
Shesterkin has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1st and is in the final year of a four-year, $22.67 million contract with an AAV of $5.67 million. During that time, he has taken the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final twice, won a Vezina Trophy, and was a nominee for the Hart Trophy as League MVP.
Ever since Shesterkin joined the Rangers, he has been their best player, and the Rangers know it.
"He knows the Rangers need him. He knows the Rangers have to sign him," the source said.
Shesterkin and his camp believe he is the best, if not the most valuable, player on the New York Rangers. Therefore, he wants to be compensated accordingly. You can't argue that either, considering what he has done in the playoffs and regular season. He has a career 2.42 GAA and a .921 save percentage in the regular season. In the playoffs, he has a 2.41 GAA and a .928 save percentage.
Without Shesterkin last year in the playoffs, the Rangers were swept by the Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final and may not make it out of round two against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Not only does he want to be paid as the highest-paid goalie, but the highest-paid Ranger as well. Right now, Rangers forward Artemi Panarin has a salary cap hit of $11,642,857. Shesterkin wants more than that.
There was an unofficial/official deadline of Wednesday evening, October 9th, when the Rangers took on the Pittsburgh Penguins (6-0) as Shesterkin and his camp indicated they want to get a deal done before the season starts, and they may want to wait to negotiate in season.
Both sides are still talking about a contract extension. The Rangers want him in New York. He wants to stay in New York. However, they are still figuring out what that number will be.
"The Rangers do not have an issue making him the highest-paid goalie in the NHL," the source said. "At the end of the day, he will reset the market for goalies. Whether the number starts with an 11 or 12, he will be the standard."
In August, Shesterkin told RG.org reporter Daria Tuboltseva: "My agent, Maxim Moliver, is talking to the general manager [about the contract]. I can't say anything else. For me, the most important thing now is preparing for the season and being 100% ready mentally and physically. An exciting season is ahead, and the agent will discuss the contract.”
Jim Biringer
