Igor Shesterkin disrespects the New York Rangers by rejecting most expensive goalie contract in NHL history

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Daniel Lucente
October 8, 2024 (1:05 PM)

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Igor Shesterkin was about to become the highest-paid goaltender ever in the history of the NHL, but he shockingly rejected the offer from the New York Rangers.

With Jeremy Swayman's contract extension signed, sealed, and delivered, the attention now falls on the New York Rangers and their ace goaltender, Igor Shesterkin. He is entering the last year of his current contract, and the Rangers would love to get him locked into a long-term deal. The apparent goal is to make him the highest-paid goaltender in the league; after all, this deal could set a new financial benchmark for the position.

After all, negotiations between the Rangers and Shesterkin remain ongoing but have not come to a close. According to NHL insider and former goalie Kevin Weekes, the talks have become stuck. Recently, Weekes reported that Shesterkin rejected the latest offer made by the Rangers, which strongly implies the two sides remain considerably apart from an agreement.

The proposed deal would have been for eight years at an average of $11 million per year, amounting to $88 million. If he had agreed, it would have made him the highest-paid goalie ever in the history of the NHL. It was not enough as Shesterkin's expectations were much higher, and discussions are still underway with both parties trying to find common ground.

Despite this setback, the Rangers remain very serious about extending Shesterkin's future with the club. The Russian netminder has certainly been a mainstay in the Rangers' successes to date, amassing 135 wins in 203 starts while boasting a sterling .921 save percentage and 2.43 goals-against average. His elite level over the last couple of seasons makes him irreplaceable, and it goes without saying that the Rangers understand they'll need to raise their offer in hopes of keeping him in the Big Apple long-term.

The contract negotiations between the Rangers and Igor Shesterkin are not yet over, with the club expected to sweeten what was an unacceptable last proposal. But with Shesterkin as important to the franchise and standing among the best goalies in the world, it is only a matter of time before both parties ink a record deal.