The New York Rangers have struck a historic agreement with goaltender Igor Shesterkin, making him the highest-paid goalie in NHL history. Reports indicate that Shesterkin has signed an eight-year contract extension valued at $92 million, averaging $11.5 million per year. This deal surpasses the previous record set by Carey Price, who signed an eight-year contract worth $84 million with Montreal in 2017.
While the Rangers have not officially announced the deal and Shesterkin chose to remain tight-lipped after the team’s 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, he hinted at discussing the contract in the future.
At just 28 years old, Shesterkin has stepped into the role formerly held by Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist and has established himself as one of the premier goalies in the league since his debut in 2020. His impressive stats boast a record of 144 wins, 68 losses, and 18 overtime losses, along with a goals-against average of 2.47 and a save percentage of .920. This season, he has faced challenges, posting a record of 9-9-1 with a 2.99 GAA and a save percentage of .908.
Shesterkin’s accolades include winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie in the 2021-22 season, and he has guided the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Finals on two occasions.
This long-term signing of Shesterkin addresses a crucial task for Rangers’ general manager Chris Drury, who had recently traded defenseman Jacob Trouba to Anaheim. Drury has also secured a seven-year extension for up-and-coming forward Alexis Lafrenière, with hopes of finalizing a new deal for key defenseman Ryan Lindgren soon.
In summary, this landmark contract not only reflects Shesterkin’s talent and potential but also signals the Rangers’ commitment to building a championship-caliber team.
