Welcome once again to THN’s Hot Seat Radar web series. In these files, we’re looking, team-by-team in reverse alphabetical order, at a player, coach or management member we perceive to be on the ‘hot seat’ as someone who has all kinds of pressure on them to put together very good results or face ramifications that would unsettle their position with their current organization. Also in every file, we’re pointing out someone on the ‘cold seat’ as someone extremely likely to stay with their team for quite some time.
Today, we’re turning our attention to the New York Rangers:
Rangers’ Hot Seat: Jacob Trouba, D
For a few weeks now, rumors have popped up that suggest the Rangers are interested in trading captain and blueliner Trouba. The 30-year-old veteran has a contract paying him $8 million for the next two seasons, and he does have a 15-team no-trade clause for this coming season. But that leaves 16 teams that Trouba can be traded to, and that means there are bound to be teams very interested in adding him to their mix.
Trouba’s commitment to playing in Manhattan makes this an awkward situation for him, but regardless of where he does play in 2024-25, he’s going to be a focus of attention. Whether that attention will be for being the guy the Blueshirts wanted to trade but couldn’t or as the guy who did get dealt and helped another squad remains to be seen.
Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest on Jacob Trouba and Torey Krug
Trouba’s physicality and general on-ice meanness definitely give him value, but the real questions are (a) what would the Rangers expect in a trade for him, and (b) what role will he be playing next season. If Rangers GM Chris Drury values the cap space that would be freed up more than the assets he gets in return, a deal could be easier to consummate. If they want talent-for-talent, it may be much harder to find a match. In any case, Trouba will be under the microscope next season, and the way he reacts to the heat that’s on him will be a major player in what the next chapter of his career looks like.
Rangers’ Cold Seat: Igor Shesterkin, G
It is true that Shesterkin’s individual numbers ballooned somewhat in 2023-24, with his goals-against average rising to 2.58 and his save percentage worsening to .913. It’s also true that the 28-year-old was significantly better in the post-season, generating a 2.34 G.A.A. and .927 SP. And who’s kidding who – can you envision a circumstance in which Drury either trades Shesterkin or tries to get him to accept a below-market-value contract extension when he becomes a UFA next summer? We certainly can’t.
IGOR SHESTERKIN, WHAT A SAVE. 😱
(🎥: @Sportsnet)pic.twitter.com/dKD9AvG2eP
— theScore (@theScore) June 2, 2024
When it comes down to brass tacks, Shesterkin holds all the leverage as his contract status nears a change. He’s currently making $5.66 million in the final year of his current deal, and to say he’s going to be getting a raise is an exercise in underestimation. He easily could double that annual amount on a new deal – one of the reasons why a salary cap crunch could ultimately squeeze Trouba out of the picture – and Shesterkin won’t be begrudged by anyone for his large pay increase.
There are very few netminders who are as consistently terrific as Shesterkin, and that’s why he’s going to become one of the league’s best-paid goalies beginning next season. The challenge for Drury will be to persuade Shesterkin to accept slightly less money so the Rangers can beef up their depth in other areas both next season and beyond. But there’s really no question Shesterkin will be one of the biggest earners on the team, and the only question will be how much he receives, and how long the team chooses to invest in such a key component.
Related: Does Your NHL Team Have a True No. 1 Goaltender For the 2024-25 Season?
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Related: Five NHL Teams Still Without a Captain: Is Chicago Blackhawks Rookie Connor Bedard Too Young to Wear the ‘C’?
News Summary:
- NHL Hot Seat Radar: Shesterkin Sits Comfortable While Captain Trouba Feels the Trade Rumor Heat
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.