A report on the New York Rangers' contract negotiations with Igor Shesterkin added an eyebrow-raising twist to the saga. Igor Shesterkin [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5ODYyOTQ5ODI3NzgyMDk3/usatsi_23399128_168400847_lowres.jpg] Igor Shesterkin Igor Shesterkin's contract extension negotiations with the New York Rangers took an interesting turn on Tuesday. After a couple of weeks with little except speculation about the status of those discussions, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported [https://x.com/KevinWeekes/status/1843661250749947981] the Rangers offered the 28-year-old goaltender an eight-year, $88-million contract. With an average annual value of $11 million, it would make him the NHL's highest-paid goaltender. However, the Shesterkin camp rejected the offer, creating uncertainty over the direction of these talks. According to the New York Post's Mollie Walker, they weren't pleased [https://nypost.com/2024/10/08/sports/igor-shesterkin-has-to-prove-hes-worth-it-to-rangers-in-risky-contract-gambit/] by this leak to the media as they felt it put undue pressure on their client. Winner of the 2022 Vezina Trophy, Shesterkin reportedly seeks an annual cap hit of $12 million. It appears he won't deviate from that number. The Hockey News' Matthew Page points out [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/igor-shesterkin-new-york-rangers-ilya-sorokin-new-york-islanders-jeremy-swayman-boston-bruins-free-agency-goaltenders] that Shesterkin intends to set the market for goaltenders. Given his UFA eligibility next summer and his value to the Rangers, he's in the perfect position to do so. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/early-trading-igor-shesterkin-rejects-offer-to-become-highest-paid-goalie-ever-1.2185881] that he couldn't confirm the exact number the Rangers offered Shesterkin. However, he said it would've exceeded Carey Price's league-leading $10.5-million cap hit with the Montreal Canadiens. LeBrun noted that Shesterkin's representatives reportedly set the Rangers' season opener of Oct. 9 as the deadline for getting a deal done. Otherwise, they would shelve negotiations until the end of the season. He cautions that it doesn't mean they can't reach an agreement at some point during this season, indicating that dialogue between the two sides continues. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli claims [https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/after-igor-shesterkin-rejects-rangers-11-million-aav-offer-whats-next] the $11-million offer from the Rangers is accurate. He also reports Shesterkin and his agents are holding firm on $12 million, believing they'll get it from the Rangers or on the open market next summer. Seravalli believes the Rangers intend to hold firm with a number beginning with 11. He also wonders if Shesterkin will risk leaving a good thing in New York with a good team that has a chance to win the Stanley Cup. Emma Lingan and Ryan Kennedy discussed Shesterkin's reported contract rejection in Tuesday's episode of The Wraparound Show: Will the New York Rangers improve their offer to Igor Shesterkin? Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or by visiting our forum [https://thehockeynews.rtb.io/THNHOME/posts].
