Igor Shesterkin, the New York Rangers’ star goaltender, recently turned down an eight-year, $88 million contract, which would have made him the highest-paid goalie in NHL history. Instead, Shesterkin, 28, has chosen to play out the final year of his current four-year deal, aiming to reset the goalie market.
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, who first reported the news and is a former NHL goalie, understands Shesterkin’s decision. Weekes speculated that Shesterkin could push for a salary exceeding $11 million per year, though this could limit the Rangers’ ability to add the players needed for a Stanley Cup run due to salary cap restrictions.
Had Shesterkin accepted the offer, he would have surpassed Carey Price’s $10.5 million annual salary, making him the highest-paid goalie. Price, however, hasn’t played in two years and is likely nearing the end of his career. Shesterkin, currently earning outside of the top 10 goalies, may feel the offer didn’t reflect his value.
With the NHL’s salary cap set to rise over the next two years, due to faster-than-expected pandemic recovery, teams like the Rangers are making large offers to retain top talent. Shesterkin’s impressive start to the season, including a shutout in the Rangers’ 6-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, sets the stage for what could be a pivotal year for both him and the team. Whether Shesterkin remains with the Rangers or seeks a better deal elsewhere remains to be seen.
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