The New York Rangers kicked off their season with a dominant 6-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. However, the bigger news recently emerged when ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported that Rangers star goalie Igor Shesterkin turned down an eight-year, $88 million contract offer, which would have made him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history.
Speculation quickly followed, with the New York Post’s Larry Brooks suggesting a possible leak, while Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman offered insights into Shesterkin’s decision. In his Wednesday “32 Thoughts” column, Friedman suggested that Shesterkin’s rejection stems from his desire to be paid as the team’s top player.
“Currently, New York’s highest-paid player is Artemi Panarin, with a cap hit of just over $11.64 million,” Friedman wrote. “Shesterkin’s camp, led by agent Rick Komarow, is likely arguing that as the team’s best player, Igor should be paid accordingly.”
While most agree in theory, the challenge comes from the unique value placed on goaltenders. According to Friedman, Shesterkin’s camp is likely aiming for a salary of around $12.58 million per year to match Panarin’s cap percentage.
Friedman emphasized the growing importance of “percentage of cap” in contract negotiations. “No agent or player wants to sign a deal that looks small if projections hold,” he added. Panarin’s cap percentage is 14.29%, and it’s likely Shesterkin is aiming for a similar figure, which would translate to $12.58 million.
When asked about his contract after the season opener, Shesterkin brushed aside the topic. “I don’t want to talk about my contract,” he told reporters. “We can discuss our team, Mancini, Lafrenière’s goal—anything but the contract.”
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