Contract update: Igor Shesterkin still forcing the Rangers to pay top dollar despite recent performances
The New York Rangers will have to back up a brinks truck at the end of the season for Igor Shesterkin.
Shesterkin has played 7 games of 9 for the Rangers this season and has come away with a 4-2-1 record, 2.43 GAA, and .923 save percentage.
He recently rejected a $88 Million, $11 Million AAV deal from GM Chris Drury and the Rangers and has chosen to bet on himself instead.
Shesterkin kept the Rangers in the game against the Washington Capitals last night, despite the horrid defense in front of him.
He made a heroic 41-saves, even with the Rangers losing 5-3 to the super-hot Capitals.
Ovechkin would score two goals and would be 37 goals closer to tying Wayne Gretzky's record as a result of the Rangers' lack of sound defense.
According to Moneypuck.com, Shesterkin may have let up 4 goals, but he had an xGoals Against of 7.393. That is outstanding.
It'd be surprising if Shesterkin wasn't yet again a candidate for a Vezina Trophy at the end of the NHL season.
Shesterkin's acrobatics are always highlight-reel players and kept the Rangers in the game when they should have been far worse. Especially if they had someone in the net, like Joonas Korpisalo.
Last night against the Capitals, despite giving up 4 goals, he'd still posted an impressive .911 save percentage as he was pelted with 45 shots on goal.
A real testament to the kind of brick wall he really is!
Of course, no brick wall is infallible, but that goes without saying he is the team's superstar and will be paid as much as he deserves.
Shesterkin's capabilities are far beyond other goalies in the league, including Jeremy Swayman, and Jake Oettinger and he's proving it nightly.
You can see with the note above that the writing was always on the wall for Shesterkin.
| POLL | ||
Will Igor Shesterkin get paid more than $11 Million AAV for his next deal? | ||
| Yes | 359 | 76.2 % |
| No | 112 | 23.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
