Rangers record-setting contract offer rejected by Igor Shesterkin: NHL Insider

NHL: New York Rangers at Chicago Blackhawks
Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Well, that’s not the optimal way for the New York Rangers and star goalie Igor Shesterkin to begin the 2024-25 NHL season.

According to a tweet by NHL Insider, and former Rangers goalie, Kevin Weekes, Shesterkin rejected an eight-year, $88 million contract offer by the Blueshirts. That $11 million average annual value would’ve made Shesterkin the highest-paid goalie in NHL history. Carey Price’s $10,5 million AAV is the current benchmark for goalies.

Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic later confirmed Weekes’ initial report, though not the dollar amount.

“I can confirm that New York put on the table the largest contract for a goalie in NHL history,” LeBrun said on Insider Trading. “But obviously that hasn’t led to a signature.”

Likely this is just a starting point in the negotiations. It’s been widely reported that the 29-year-old goalie seeks north of $12 million per season. So, the Rangers are aware that they’ll need to move up from this reported offer.

It’s also been reported that if a contract extension is not agreed upon by opening night, which is Wednesday when the Rangers visit the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena, Shesterkin will cut off negotiations.

When it comes to this much money and security, though, it’s hard to believe that the Rangers will let their No. 1 walk as an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Nor would it appear likely that Shesterkin would turn away if the Rangers met — or approached — his contract demands once the season starts.

One thing that is unlikely is for Shesterkin or Rangers general manager Chris Drury to comment at all about negotiations. Drury is notoriously tight-lipped — which serves an important negotiation like this well. And Shesterkin spoke on the topic at the start of training camp, pretty much vowing not to do so again.

“I love the organization, I love the team, I love the fans,” Shesterkin told reporters in September. “So, of course, it would be great to stay here. But you never know what can happen.”

Drury had this to say to reporters at the start of training camp, “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure he’s here for a long time.”

Related: Stanley Cup or bust: Staff predictions for Rangers in 2024-25 NHL season

Rangers hope to sign Igor Shesterkin before he becomes UFA next offseason

NHL: NHL All-Star Game
2024 NHL All-Star Game — Photo Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Shesterkin was ranked the No. 1 goalie heading into this season by NHL Network. The 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner as the League’s top goalie is 135-59-17 with a 2.43 goals-against average and .921 save percentage in 213 NHL regular-season games.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Shesterkin has been brilliant, leading the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final in two of the past three seasons. He is 23-20 all-time in the postseason with a 2.41 GAA and sterling .928 save percentage.

“When Igor Shesterkin does sign, whether with the Rangers or elsewhere, he absolutely will be the highest-paid goalie ever, and that’s starts with an 11 or a 12,” Lebrun said.

The two-time NHL All-Star is one of three important Rangers that needs to be re-signed before next offseason, creating a major salary cap crunch for the Blueshirts. Both forward Alexis Lafreniere and defenseman K’Andre Miller are due big raises as restricted free agents with arbitration rights when this season ends.

Defenseman Ryan Lindgren can be a UFA next offseason, after he signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract this summer. But there a good chance the Rangers won’t be able to sign him because of cap restrictions. Lindgren is currently out with an upper-body injury.

As for Shesterkin, he had a strong preseason and it does not appear that the contract talks are having any effect on his play. Let’s see how this all plays out, though.

Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of... More about Jim Cerny

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