Igor Shesterkin turned down an offer from the Rangers that would have made him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history.
ESPN's Kevin Weeks reported on Tuesday Russia's star netminder reportedly rejected an eight-year, $88 million contract extension with an average annual salary of $11 million.
That's $500,000 more per year and $4 million more in total than the Canadiens' Carey Price, who is currently the league's highest-paid goaltender with a cap hit of $10.5 million.
“This is my agent's job,” Shesterkin said of contract negotiations at the start of training camp. “I just want to focus on my game and practicing every day.”
The offer leak came a day before the Rangers open the 2024-25 season in Pittsburgh against the Penguins.
Oct. 9 may have marked the start of the Blueshirts' season, but it also served as a deadline before negotiations were seen as an unwanted hindrance.
Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury had expressed hope that Shesterkin would be with the Rangers long-term during preseason media availability, but it is clear that the two sides will reach an agreement before the season begins. I couldn't do it.
“I have no intention of publicly participating in any private discussions or negotiations with Igor or his representatives,” Drury said at the time. “But you all know how I feel about Igor and how all of us here feel about Igor and we want him to be here as a Ranger for a long time. ”
Shesterkin performed well in the 2023-24 playoffs, during which the 28-year-old posted a 10-6 record with a .927 save percentage and a 2.34 goals-against average.
Through the regular season, Shesterkin's .913 save percentage was eighth in the NHL and his 2.58 GAA was 10th.
All along, it was expected that Shesterkin would become the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history.
That's going to happen whether he's wearing a Rangers jersey or a different jersey.
But the longer Shesterkin remains an unrestricted free agent, the more uncertain things become for the Rangers.
The newspaper has reported since June that the Shesterkin campaign's goal was $12 million a year.
With several other key player signings coming next summer, the Rangers will have to be careful and strategic about what percentage of their cap they give their No. 1 goaltender.
“I love this organization,” Shesterkin said. “I love the team. I love the fans. So of course it's great to stay here, but you never know what's going to happen.”
