The Maven outlines what the Rangers could do if contract talks with Igor Shesterkin go south.
It's unlikely but not impossible – a very-very-big longshot – that Igor Shesterkin may not sign with the Rangers.
(Look at the craziness that's going on with Jeremy Swayman and the Bruins.) It's not impossible; Shesterkin vs. Drury could reach an impasse. Then what?
I put the itchy question to my Senior Vice President in charge of Impasse-settling, Jess Rubenstein. What happens if there's no deal by opening night? Then what?
"Drury could trade Igor to a Western Conference team," Rubenstein explains. "and get as much value as he can. But if he waits until the trade deadline, that would tell Rangers fans that 'Win-Now' is not happening."
Since none of us are sitting in on the negotiations, it seems from the outside that Drury-MSG will cave to Iggy's (greedy) demand to be the highest paid goalie in the NHL, even though he's neither the best, nor a Cup-winner.
Rubenstein: "Igor's major advantage is that if he chooses to walk – and Drury only recoups a Draft pick for compensation – the Rangers are looking at five years of rebuilding. In that unlikely case, who does Drury have in the system by way of goaltending insurance?
"Dylan Garland is not an NHL starter and Jonathan Quick's better days are behind him. He's not able to play 50 games anymore. And, at best, Louie Dominique is no more than a spot reliever. Hugo Ollas is three years away and Talyn Boyko is a career minor leaguer."
That tells me that the Greedy Guts Goalie will be like the typical spoiled brat; get all the dough he demands. Meanwhile, Albert Einstein will have to be revived to dope out the Rangers exploding Salary Cap.
However, had Einstein been alive today, he'd say, "Who needs this nonsense?" and pick up his abacus and head for Coney Island and a Nathan's hot dog.