Rangers Make History: Shesterkin Signs Groundbreaking 8-Year, $92M Contract!

In a stunning move, the New York Rangers have secured their star goaltender Igor Shesterkin with an unprecedented eight-year contract extension worth $92 million, making it the richest deal ever given to a goalie in NHL history. This landmark agreement has an average annual value (AAV) of $11.5 million, surpassing the previous record set by Carey Price's $10.5 million deal back in 2018.

Following a hard-fought victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins where Shesterkin made 20 saves, he remained tight-lipped about the new contract, stating, "I’m not saying yet. We’re close, but I can not say anything else. Maybe we can talk about it tomorrow.” This level of suspense only adds excitement to what has been a tumultuous season for the Rangers.

Shesterkin, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, had previously rejected an eight-year, $88 million offer from the Rangers in October. He had also expressed a desire to postpone contract negotiations until the end of the season, a typical approach for players who want to focus on their performance on the ice.

This monumental signing comes on the heels of another significant change within the Rangers' organization; the team recently traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks. General Manager Chris Drury is clearly in a state of urgency to revamp the roster following a less-than-stellar stretch, with the team currently sitting at 4-6-0 over their last 10 games. Once victorious, the Rangers now find themselves clinging to the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference after having secured the Presidents' Trophy last season.

Interestingly, despite Shesterkin's individual accolades, he has also faced challenges this season, posting an .899 save percentage in his last 11 games after an impressive .923 in the opening month. Such statistics highlight the struggles not just of the goaltender, but of the Rangers as a whole, who must rally together to turn their fortunes around.

Drafted in the fourth round back in 2014, Shesterkin has quickly ascended the ranks since making his NHL debut during the 2019-20 season. Across 231 games played, he carries a stellar career save percentage of .920, and he has played an instrumental role in leading the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final in two of the last three seasons.

As the Rangers embark on this journey with their newly-extended goalie, the entire hockey world will be watching to see if Shesterkin can reclaim his stellar form and help guide his team back to glory. Will the investment pay off for the Rangers, or will they face more struggles ahead? Only time will tell!