NEW YORK — The New York Rangers have reportedly secured a monumental agreement with Igor Shesterkin, positioning him as the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history.
Shesterkin, who is nearing his 29th birthday on December 30, has finalized an impressive eight-year contract extension valued at approximately $92 million. This deal translates to an average annual salary of about $11.5 million, surpassing Carey Price’s previous record of eight years and $84 million which he signed with Montreal in 2017.
Although the Rangers have not officially confirmed the contract details, Shesterkin chose to refrain from elaborating on the matter following the team’s 4-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday evening. “I cannot say anything else,” Shesterkin expressed. “Maybe we can talk about it tomorrow.”
Since making his debut in 2020, Shesterkin has established himself as one of the most elite goaltenders, taking over the position previously held by Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist. His career statistics showcase a strong record of 144 wins, 68 losses, and 18 overtime losses, accompanied by a 2.47 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. However, this season, Shesterkin’s performance includes a record of 9 wins, 9 losses, and 1 overtime loss, with a 2.99 GAA and .908 save percentage.
Shesterkin’s accolades include winning the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league’s top goalie, during the 2021-22 season. He has also played a pivotal role in leading the Rangers to the Eastern Conference finals on two occasions.
Securing Shesterkin for the long term fulfills a significant objective for general manager Chris Drury. This comes shortly after Drury traded defenseman Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks earlier on Thursday. Earlier in the season, he also inked a seven-year contract extension for promising forward Alexis Lafrenière. The next potential move could involve a new deal for key defenseman Ryan Lindgren.
