Opening night usually brings anticipation and excitement to an organization and fans alike. This year, the team’s 99th opening night could dictate the direction of the New York Rangers for years to come.
The New York Post has confirmed that goaltender Igor Shesterkin and his team have set a deadline for a new contract to be reached. October 9th, the team’s season opener, is the latest Shessterkin is willing to discuss his contract. This is the final year of his current contract, in which he will become an unrestricted free agent at the season’s end.
He is entering his fifth season in the NHL, all with the Blueshirts. He was thrown into the fire as he replaced the King, Henrik Lundqvist. A daunting task for any goalkeeper, Shesterkin found a way to continue the great tradition of goaltenders the organization has been lucky to put on the ice over the past 15 years.
He appeared in 55 games last season and had 36 wins, a 2.58 GAA, and a .912 Save Percentage. He has appeared in 213 games with 208 wins, a 2.43 GAA, and a .921 Save percentage in his five years in the NHL. Shesterkin has made it to the Eastern Conference Finals twice and has won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender (2021-22). His .929 save percentage in the playoffs since 2021-22 is the best in the NHL among goalies with at least 20 postseason appearances.
Who Has The Edge?
Shestrkin wants to become the highest-paid goaltender in the NHL, which will probably mean he will earn $11.8-$12 million per season over seven or eight years. Chris Drury will have to consider this huge salary cap number, but it should not be surprising.
Over the last eight seasons, several NHL goalies have signed upper-tier contracts.
Carey Price signed a $84 million contract in 2018 with an AAV of $10.5 million, which will conclude at the end of 2025. He was 30 years old at the time of signing.
Andrei Vasilevsky signed a $76 million contract in 2020 with an AAV of $9.5 Million when he was 25. His Contract ends in 2027.
Sergei Bobrovsky Signed a $70 million contract in 2019 when he was 30 years old. The AAV is $10 million, and the contract runs through the end of the 2025 season.
Ilya Sorokin was 27 when he signed an eight-year deal for $66 million with an AAV of $8.25 million. His contract ends at the end of the 2025 season.
Vasilevsky and Bobrovsky have been the only goalies of the four mentioned to win the Stanley Cup.
What Home Town Discount?
When Shesterkin was asked about a new deal last week, he said he loved playing in New York, but you never know what could happen.
This is his money year in the NHL. As much as he loves New York, this is a business for him as much as it is for the Blueshirts. His negotiating team will unlikely give the Rangers a hometown discount. It is just as unlikely that the Rangers will be able to sign him to anything less than $82.6 Million over seven seasons.
The club needs to sign him, but it will hurt new deals for other players like Alexis Lafreniere, Kappo Kakko, and Ryan Lindgren (who will be UFA at the end of this season), who will need new contracts next year.
Opening night is 15 days away. Both sides must answer whether this deadline is firm or if there is progress. Would Sheserkin’s team allow a little wiggle room? Would Drury risk the chance that Igor will stand pat and not discuss his contract after the season has begun?
This could be the most crucial opening night In Ranger’s history.
Follow Frank on X at @RangerProud.
