It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re off and running with the NHL regular season. However, general managers are still working on contracts. Team executives always have an eye on the future and some deals have gotten done. However, some deals may be harder to negotiate. Today’s edition of NHL rumours takes a look at contract talks for a key member of the New York Rangers.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
New York Rangers Goalie Rejects Latest Offer
Rumour: ESPN insider and former NHL goalie Kevin Weekes reported that the Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin rejected the team’s most-recent contract offer. Weekes reported that the Blueshirts offered an eight-year deal worth $88 million for the life on the contract.
**Breaking News** 🚨 📰
I’m told the Stanley Cup contending & cap spending @NYRangers offer of $88M / 11M AAV has been rejected by G Shesterkin.
Igor has rejected the highest Goalie contract in @NHL history from #NYR . #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/assw8DGUH1— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) October 8, 2024
Analysis: Shesterkin is going to get a massive offer, but now he gets to set the market. The $11 million cap hit would have been the largest annual value for a netminder had he accepted. That contract would eclipsed the deal the Montreal Canadiens gave to Carey Price. The gold-medal winner has a cap hit of $10.5 million at this time,
However, Shesterkin wants to set the market higher with a bigger number and can do so. He has a chance to really get himself a massive payday.
Shesterkin currently makes $5.7 million and will get a well-deserved raise. However, this contract may make life difficult for Rangers General Manager Chris Drury.
What’s the Deal?
The Russian goalie has arguably been the best goalie in the league and is well-worth the money. If the Rangers can’t pony up the cash, there will be no shortage of teams looking to give the 28-year-old goalie his hefty contract.
The pressure is on Drury to make the contract fit and keep the Vezina Trophy-winning backstop. One of the main questions is how far over $11 million per season does Shesterkin want to go.
Will he be content with something like $11.5 million or does he want to go to $12 million? Fitting this contract into the Rangers’ plans could be a headache.
The Knock-On Effect
Shesterkin’s deal will have a butterfly effect on what the Blueshirts can do with their other players. Drury has to find ways to pay vital youngsters like Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller under the cap. The bigger the piece Shesterkin takes, the less Drury has to work with in re-signing those talented youngsters.
Drury is also going to have to clear out some salary cap space out in order to make things happen. Players like Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko might be playing their last seasons in the Big Apple in order to keep those players in the fold.
This deal is going to be pivotal for the sustained success of the Rangers. The salary cap is going to keep going up barring disaster and elite players like Shesterkin want to cash in. One can’t blame the goalie for wanting to get his payday. However, Rangers fans may be nervous about the ability for the solid core to stay together and be a Stanley Cup contender.
Main photo by: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
