Former Rangers legend issues unexpected statement relating to Igor Shesterkin

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Hunter Bowman
October 2, 2024 (5:08 PM)

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Henrik Lundqvist was the New York Rangers franchise goalie for over a decade.

He is now, almost 5 years removed from his tenure as #1 goalie in the Rangers system but finds himself being honored for it.

He will attend the 39th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner at the Hilton in New York featuring prominent athletes across all major leagues.

Alongside some of sports most prominent figures such as NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnnson, World Series champion Roger Clemens, NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton and others, Lundqvist said he looks forward to a special night benefiting the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.

He enjoys his retirement and has taken up new gigs in pre-game and post-game analysis, and still contributes to the game.

»I really enjoy life right now, the things I'm doing,» Lundqvist told The Post over the phone Sunday, the serenity in his voice unmistakable.

But he's found himself in a similar situation as Igor Shesterkin as he was in the final year of his NHL contract and was expecting to be one the highest-paid goalies in the league.

The 2023 HOF goalie was asked about the situation Shesterkin was in at the beginning of training camp and how to handle it.

«As an athlete, you focus on the sports side of things, that's it,» Lundqvist said. «It is a business, but you just need to set that aside and focus on what you need to do. That's it. You let your team take care of whatever needs to be taken care of.»

He'd eventually sign a 7-year $59.5 million deal, in 2013 to become the league's highest-paid goalie. But with the salary cap being raised often, things have changed.

The largest contract for an NHL goalie belongs to Carey Price at $10.5 Million AAV.

Shesterkin will have to work through the pressure and deliver for the Rangers, and they'll make sure he's taken care of.

«I think you set a standard for yourself,» said Lundqvist, who will be featured on MSG for select games again this season. «You put a certain amount of pressure on yourself, so it doesn't matter. You want to be up there and you put the money aside, it's more about performance and accomplishing what you want to accomplish. That pressure you put on yourself, that's what really matters.»

Otherwise, the Rangers could be out a goalie, who could deliver them a Stanley Cup in the future.