General manager Chris Drury didn’t offer much of an update on the contract talks with Igor Shesterkin and Alexis Lafreniere when he addressed the media ahead of the New York Rangers’ training camp. That’s typical for Drury and likely the smartest way to manage the team’s dealings, especially with long-term, high-value contracts involved.
However, Drury made it clear that the Rangers are committed to keeping both their top goalie and promising forward “for a long time.” While this isn’t a surprising stance—Shesterkin is widely regarded as one of the NHL’s best goalies and a Vezina Trophy winner, and Lafreniere, a former first-overall pick, had a breakout season with 28 goals and 57 points—it’s still notable for Drury to affirm the team’s intentions, even if he’s not revealing specifics about the negotiations.
Shesterkin’s situation is more pressing, as the 28-year-old can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Reports suggest he is aiming to become the highest-paid goalie in NHL history, surpassing Carey Price’s $10.5 million annual average. Drury commented, “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure he’s here for a long time.”
Lafreniere, turning 23 in October, will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer, giving the team more time to work out a deal. A strong follow-up season could put Lafreniere in an excellent negotiating position, though he’s still three years away from unrestricted free agency. Drury noted, “In our eyes, he continues to get better and better,” expressing hope that Lafreniere, like Shesterkin, will remain with the Rangers for many years.
Chris Drury believes Rangers have had ‘good three years’ with him as GM
Drury and the Rangers face a major challenge with the salary cap. They are currently maxed out, making it difficult to fit big contracts for Shesterkin, Lafreniere, and K’Andre Miller before the 2025-26 season. Like Lafreniere, Miller is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer.
Securing deals for these three players is a top priority for the Rangers. To manage the cap, they might have to let Ryan Lindgren, who will be a free agent after this season, walk, or consider trading captain Jacob Trouba, whose $8 million salary could be moved next offseason. This would leave significant gaps in the defense. So, Drury has a challenging task ahead.
Regarding his performance, Drury commented on his first three years as Rangers GM, saying, “It’s been a real good three years. Our ultimate goal is to win the Cup. Personally, I’m always seeking ways to improve and ensure we compete for the Cup every year, starting with training camp. I’m excited for ‘Lavi’ (coach Peter Laviolette) to lead us through another camp and hope for a strong regular season and playoff run.”
Under Drury, the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final twice in three years, losing both times, including last spring to the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. They also won the Presidents’ Trophy last season with a franchise-record 55 wins and 114 points.
As they aim to stay in Cup contention, Drury knows that securing long-term contracts for Shesterkin and Lafreniere will be crucial for achieving their goals.
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