Despite securing the Presidents' Trophy, the team was ultimately eliminated by the Florida Panthers, who went on to capture their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
While the Rangers didn't make many offseason moves, they remain formidable. However, one key issue looming over the season is the contract extension for star goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Shesterkin, set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, has been the backbone of the team, and his contract situation has some fans concerned about his long-term commitment to the Rangers.
Shesterkin is expected to become the highest-paid goalie in NHL history, with projections suggesting he could earn over $12 million annually if he hits the open market. Comparisons to other elite goaltenders, like Juuse Saros ($7.74 million annually) and Andrei Vasilevskiy ($9.5 million), suggest Shesterkin's asking price is justified, given his consistent performance.
Despite not yet winning a Stanley Cup, Shesterkin remains one of the league's top netminders, boasting a Vezina Trophy and stellar career stats, including a .921 save percentage.
The Rangers will have tough decisions ahead as they balance cap space and the desire to keep Shesterkin, but his value to the team makes it difficult to imagine him playing elsewhere.
Do you think the Detroit Red Winhs should pursue him this year in a trade to sign him long-term? We could offer a young goaltender like Trey Augustine and a draft pick with a throw-in to give away some salary and make space for him. With this add, the Detroit Red Wings could lock in the goaltender position for many years.
As seen on The Hockey Writers
Rangers' Igor Shesterkin Admits Anything Can Happen as Extension Discussions Continue
POLL | ||
Do you think the Detroit Red Wings should pursue elite goaltender Igor Shesterkin from the New York Rangers? | ||
Yes | 11 | 26.8 % |
No | 30 | 73.2 % |
List of polls |