Where Do Igor Shesterkin And The Rangers Go Now?
New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin has been one of - if not the best - netminders in the world ever since the Rangers drafted him 118th overall in 2014. Like the Green Bay Packers' history with developing quarterbacks, the Blueshirts have been better than any other team at molding and extracting greatness from goalies for the last 40 years.
"The Czar", as he is affectionately called, had a historically great Vezina-winning campaign in the 2021-22 season, and has not skipped a beat since. Shesterkin has earned Vezina Trophy votes in three consecutive seasons and has been the orchestrator of two Eastern Conference Finals appearances in three seasons.
Moreover, the Moscow, Russia native has a career .928 save percentage in 44 playoff games - the highest among all active goalies. Naturally, he wishes to be compensated commensurately - and his body of work easily substantiates his desire.
What Is The Impasse?
Shesterkin established an Opening Night deadline for negotiations to end between his representation and the Rangers' brass. He not only wants to be the highest-paid goalie ever, but also the highest-paid player ever to wear a Rangers jersey, and deservedly so.
After weeks of stalled talks, the Rangers offered their generational keeper the most lucrative contract ever for an NHL goalie on October 8th. Shesterkin turned down the offer - and he is well within his rights to do so.
The offer was eight years for $88 million. Both the average annual value and total value would have surpassed the Montreal Canadiens' Carey Price for the highest among goalies.
Shesterkin and his representation are, reportedly, displeased with the notion that the Rangers leaked the information about what was offered to him. The public discourse seems tantamount to the contentious talks between the Boston Bruins and goalie Jeremy Swayman.
Shesterkin has set his deadline, and it has come and passed. Barring a last-minute agreement, it seems that he is on his way to free agency after this season.
History Shows That There Is No Reason To Panic
To put it simply: the Rangers do not let goalies in their prime walk away in free agency. That has not happened in a very long time.
Three weeks before Christmas in 2013, Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers came to an agreement that made him the highest-paid goalie in the game. The rest, of course, is history.
Back in July of 2002, the Rangers also ensured that Mike Richter remained a Ranger for life. Between Richter and Lundqvist, there are 769 wins, over 40,000 saves, and a Stanley Cup championship. Igor Shesterkin looks to usurp the two in terms of breaking the bank and crafting a legacy.
The Bottom Line
History proves that the Rangers do not allow franchise goaltenders to scamper off in free agency. Yes, the contract negotiations between Igor Shesterkin and general manager Chris Drury have proven to be contentious and prolonged. Such processes are simply an inherent and tactful component of business in the world of pro sports.
The Rangers and the powers that be are highly cognizant of the fact that Shesterkin represents their ultimate gateway to a Stanley Cup championship. This franchise, for all of its lore and rich history, has produced one championship since 1940 - and the last title run occurred when Bill Clinton was serving his first term in office.
Maybe the two sides will shake hands with a new deal in place very soon, or maybe it will happen in free agency. Either way, until proven otherwise, Igor Shesterkin should remain a New York Ranger for the rest of his life.
Comments