Rangers, Igor Shesterkin reportedly agree to eight-year extension worth $11.5 million to $12 million a season
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin raises his helmet during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in New York. Credit: AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
On a day when the Rangers shook things up in a big way by trading captain Jacob Trouba, they dropped another bombshell when ESPN reported they had agreed to an eight-year contract extension with goaltender Igor Shesterkin that will pay him an average annual salary between $11.5 million and $12 million.
Shesterkin, who will turn 29 later this month, was set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He reportedly had turned down an eight-year deal on the eve of the season opener that would have paid him $88 million. That would have made him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history, but he had been thought to be seeking a deal that would pay him an average of $12 million, which would make him the highest-paid Ranger. Artemi Panarin currently holds that distinction with his $11.642 million average.
Shesterkin has not spoken about his contract negotiations other than telling the media on the second day of training camp, “I have one more year. I don’t care about it.’’
Rangers general manager Chris Drury, who doesn’t speak to the media often, told reporters on a Zoom call before training camp, “You all know what I think of Igor and what we all think about Igor around here. We certainly hope he’s here and a Ranger for a long time.’’
Shesterkin entered Friday night’s game against Pittsburgh with an 8-9-1 record, a 3.05 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage and one shutout. He was 36-17-2 with a 2.58 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and four shutouts last season and is 148-68-18 with 16 shutouts (including one against Pittsburgh on opening night), a 2.48 GAA and a .920 save percentage in his career.
He was 10-6 with a 2.34 GAA and .927 save percentage in the playoffs last spring as the Rangers made it to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years, losing to eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida in six games. Hhe is 23-20 with a 2.41 GAA and a .928 save percentage in the playoffs in his career.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
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