Having the right mindset has been key to Igor Shesterkin's game for most of his NHL career.
So it wasn't a surprise to hear the Rangers' star goaltender ignore questions about his scheduled unrestricted free agent status at the end of this season.
Shesterkin has dodged inquiries about his next contract before, most notably when he apologized after last season's conference final loss and claimed he couldn't speak English.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper made it clear on Friday that he wants to focus on the season, his team and his own performance.
“I've got another year,” Shesterkin said matter-of-factly after a nearly two-hour double practice on the second day of training camp at the MSG Training Center. “I don't care.”
When asked if it was important for the team and the Rangers to do something immediately, Shesterkin said it was up to his agent, and he again expressed his desire to focus on practices and games.
As for whether he expressed a desire to remain in New York, Shesterkin was noncommittal after glowingly speaking about the club.
“I love this organization,” he said. “I love the team. I love the fans. So, of course it would be great to be here, but you never know what's going to happen.”
Shesterkin returned to his native Russia this summer for the first time since 2021.
As he does every time he's in Russia, Shesterkin trained with his two Russian coaches and prepared for the season.
He spent two weeks there, during which he was able to meet and have dinner with many friends he hadn't seen in a while.
“It was great, it was a bit refreshing,” Shesterkin said. “I hadn't seen my friends for a long time. It was great to experience Russian culture.”
One of the few changes for the Rangers this season is the absence of goaltending guru Benoit Allaire, who is now day-to-day.
Alaïa remains with the team as director of goalkeeping but his regular duties have been scaled back.
No one feels that more than Shesterkin, who said everything feels the same despite Allaire's absence.
Shesterkin said he expects Alaïa to join them in their sessions soon.
“I know he is in talks with the new goalkeeping coach. [Jeff Malcolm] “I think we had the same practice every day, everything was the same. [Allaire] You can come.”
Ben Harper and Connor McKee skied in the main group on Friday, while Chad Ruhwedel and Matthew Robertson were sent into a separate group.
Additionally, Adam Edstrom was not part of the main group.
Matt Rempe is back with the main group, as coach Peter Laviolette promised on Thursday.
Goaltender Jonathan Quick participated in practice Friday after skating alone for maintenance on Thursday.
However, due to maintenance reasons he was unable to complete the double session.
