A few days ago, the NHL website released its ranking of the top 10 goalies in the league.
It’s no surprise to see Igor Shesterkin at the top. He’s an outstanding goaltender.
If the Russian isn’t ranked first on everyone’s list, he’s definitely in the top three.
In the 2023-2024 season, he finished with a save percentage of .927 and a goals-against average of 2.28. In an era where goals are being scored more frequently, such stats are highly impressive.
There's a new #⃣1⃣ on our Top 10 Goalies Right Now list!
What are your thoughts on our list?@NHL | #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/1kIQ5NAGRM
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 8, 2024
Since his debut in the 2019-2020 season, Shesterkin has a career goals-against average of 2.41 and a save percentage of .922. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025, and it’s clear he’ll be a top priority for the Rangers. It wouldn’t be surprising if he becomes the highest-paid goaltender in history.
In fact, for this and other reasons, Cory Schneider includes Shesterkin in the same conversation as Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist, and Carey Price.
One thing is certain: the Rangers have a knack for finding franchise goaltenders. From Mike Richter in the 90s, to Henrik Lundqvist in the 2010s, and now Shesterkin in the 2020s…
Though he doesn’t have a Stanley Cup to his name (similar to Price and Lundqvist), Shesterkin did win a Vezina Trophy in 2022, and he’s proven he doesn’t crack under playoff pressure.
Is it too soon to compare him to a legend like Martin Brodeur? Time will tell, and we’ll have a clearer answer in a few years.
Be the first to comment