New York Rangers star goaltender Igor Shesterkin made some concerning remarks when asked about his ongoing contract negotiations. Shesterkin, who is entering the final year of his four-year, $22.67 million deal, has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1, but no agreement has been reached yet. When speaking to the media, Shesterkin expressed his desire to remain with the team long-term but acknowledged uncertainty.
“I love the organization, I love the team, I love the fans. So, of course, it would be great to stay here, but you never know what can happen,” he said.
Shesterkin emphasized that he isn’t letting the contract situation distract him, stating that his agent is handling the discussions for a potential extension with the Rangers.
“I have one more year. I don’t care about it… It’s my agent’s job. I just want to stay focused on my game and practice every day,” Shesterkin added.
Since joining the Rangers in the 2019-20 season, Shesterkin has established himself as one of the NHL’s top goaltenders. He became the team’s starting goalie in the 2021-22 season. Last year, he posted a 36-17-2 record with a 2.58 goals-against average (GAA) and a .913 save percentage (SV%).
Rangers GM Focused on Re-Signing Shesterkin
Rangers general manager Chris Drury emphasized that securing Igor Shesterkin’s future in New York is a priority.
At the start of the Rangers’ training camp on September 17, Drury expressed his desire for Shesterkin to remain with the team for the long haul.
“I’m not going to discuss any private talks or negotiations with Igor or his representatives publicly, but everyone knows how highly I regard him and how much we value him here,” Drury said. “We definitely hope he’ll be with the Rangers for a long time. He’s crucial to our team and organization, and we’ll do everything we can to keep him here.”
Shesterkin was awarded the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender in 2021-22.
Rangers GM Says It’s Cup-or-Bust
The Rangers have been one of the NHL’s top teams for a while, but they have yet to win the Stanley Cup.
Last season, New York finished with the league’s best record but fell short in the Conference Finals, losing to the Florida Panthers.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, General Manager Chris Drury has made it clear that the team’s goal is to win the Cup, and he believes the roster has the potential to achieve that.
“Our ultimate goal is obviously to win the Cup,” Drury stated. “Personally, I’m always looking for ways to improve in my role and help us compete for the Cup every year. That begins at training camp, and I’m excited to work with Coach Peter Laviolette for a second year. Hopefully, we have a strong camp, a solid regular season, and give ourselves the chance to make the playoffs.”
The Rangers will kick off the 2024-25 season on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 9.
Be the first to comment