Two weeks. That’s all the time Igor Shesterkin is giving New York Rangers GM Chris Drury to reach an agreement on a new contract.
The Athletic’s Arthur Staple and Peter Baugh reported Shesterkin has given the Rangers until their season opener on Oct. 9 or the talks will be shelved for the season. They also indicated the two sides were “not remotely close” in negotiations as of Sunday.
Recent reports claimed the 28-year-old Shesterkin seeks an average annual value of $12 million on his next contract, making him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history and the highest-paid Ranger. Drury told reporters last week he remains optimistic about getting the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner signed to a long-term deal but declined to discuss the status of their negotiations.
Staple and Baugh believe there’s a risk this could spill over into next off-season. The New York Post‘s Mollie Walker thinks that could make things precarious for the Rangers, leaving them little time to re-sign Shesterkin before his UFA eligibility on July 1, when they’ll face competition from rival clubs willing to meet his asking price.
Shesterkin is implementing this season-opening deadline to keep his focus on the coming season. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports dialogue is ongoing between the two sides.
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The Hockey News’ Stan Fischler hopes Drury won’t overpay but thinks the Rangers GM will “give away the store” to avoid contract talks becoming a season-long distraction.
Fischler also thinks Shesterkin should learn a team-first lesson from Sidney Crosby, pointing out how the Pittsburgh Penguins captain left money on the table by signing a two-year extension worth $8.7 million per season.
Crosby was in his playing prime when he signed his current 12-year deal with the Penguins in 2012, with his $8.7-million cap hit ranking second to Washington’s Alex Ovechkin’s $9.5 million at that time. Today, he’s heading into the twilight of his storied career and is willing to accept much less than market value.
Shesterkin, meanwhile, wants what he considers suitable compensation for what he brings to the Rangers. It’s fair to question whether he’s worth $12 million annually, but he shouldn’t be expected to accept less than market value while in his playing prime. If the Blueshirts won’t pay it, somebody else might in next summer’s free-agent market.
As the New York Post‘s Larry Brooks observed, nobody sounded alarm bells when Panarin signed his team-leading contract in 2019. He also pointed out that no one questioned the Edmonton Oilers signing Leon Draisaitl, their second-best player, to what will be a league-leading $14-million annual cap hit when his extension begins on July 1, 2025.
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News Summary:
- Rangers' Igor Shesterkin Speculation Picks Up Amid Reported Negotiation Deadline
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.