Former NHLer ranks Igor Shesterkin amongst some of the elite goaltenders of the past

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Hunter Bowman
September 8, 2024 (9:32 PM)

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Former Devils starting goaltender Cory Schneider gave a rave review and ranked Rangers starter Igor Shesterkin with some of the elite goaltenders of the past.

"I think he does," Schneider answered when asked if Shesterkin is deserving of being named the game's top goalie. "I think this is fair. He's about to become probably the highest-paid goalie in NHL history, depending on where his next contract comes in, and deservedly so."

During the interview, Schneider has ranked Shesterkin with some elite goaltenders including former Rangers superstar Henrik Lundqvist, Carey Price and Marty Brodeur.

"He's entering that Carey Price, Lundqvist, Marty Brodeur territory where you're like, �Man we gotta play Igor tonight'. He might not be playing well, but you'll still be a little rattled by him because he could spin the game at any moment and just shut you out and make it look easy," he continued. "He's done incredibly well in the playoffs this year too."

With the new generation of goaltender not being as dominant as goaltenders were in the past, having a goalie as good as Shesterkin and being ranked with those legends certainly gives general manager Chris Drury and head coach Peter Laviolette a great sense of calm and confidence when he is put in goal.

Having won the Vezina trophy in his career and helped the Rangers back stop a 55-win season along with a three round playoff run within striking distance of the Stanley Cup finals is a great accomplishment. Last year he had a rough portion of the season which began to put some doubt in some people's minds but after the All-Star break, he found his game and went on a tear down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Being in his final year of his contract and holding a salary just under $5.7 million, it's widely expected he will be given a significant raise and according to many be the highest paid goaltender in the NHL.

Rangers management will need to be creative to find a way to sign him for his long-term extension without sacrificing other positions to keep the team competitive.