32 Thoughts podcaster and Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has gone on the record that he feels Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin will be signed to a new deal in the near future.
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Rumors have been picking up steam over the past number of weeks that the Rangers and Shesterkin had been undergoing contract talks which seemed to be gaining momentum. It's becoming clear that the Rangers and their netminder agree that he will become the highest paid goaltender in the NHL since former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price.
"To me, everything that has come out this week is all about the Rangers saying there's no need to panic here," Friedman said. "We are signing this player. We are making him the highest-paid goaltender in the NHL. We recognize his importance to us. We know he's the backbone of this team and we are signing this player. This is now all about the number."
Friedman goes on to explain that the Rangers hold some of the leverage as they have the 8th year in this deal and that Shesterkin would lose out on multi million dollars if he chose not to sign that extra year. Many numbers have been thrown out onto the web then it will certainly be well above $11 million per season.
"I don't know what this number is going to be. There's been a lot of reports it's going to be $12, $12.5, $11.5 (million)," Friedman said. "The one advantage the Rangers have is they have the eighth year. If Shesterkin doesn't sign there, he's going to lose a year at a very big number. That is the one thing the Rangers have in their power.
Shesterkin is looking to pick up where he left off last year as he had a sensational second-half and dominant playoffs even though the Rangers lost in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Rangers netminder already has secured a Vezina to his name and despite a blip last year, he had 55 starts, put a record together of 36-17-2 with the goals against of 2.58 and a save percentage of .913 with four shutouts. He also helped the Rangers secure the most wins in their history which stands at 55 wins in one season.
As training camp continues, Rangers fans will sit and watch to see if their beloved goaltender will secure the deal of his life as he prepares for his new season.