Hockey insider Pierre Lebrun explains Rangers strategy on Shesterkin extension

He explained that the Rangers are willing to make him the highest paid goaltender in the NHL which would surpass former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price as he held a contract worth $10.5 million per season. This thought has been surfacing across the Internet over the past couple of months as indications showed both parties were ready to start negotiating a new deal.

LeBrun also mentioned the biggest stumbling block so far has been the number itself in terms of how much cap space they're willing to give up to Shesterkin order to make the deal work. The Rangers also must be mindful of their cap space situation as the team has several young players coming up for new deals will likely need a raise.

Shesterkin Is revealed his set number of what he'd like to be paid per year which sits at $12 million per season. He's also put a demand on his new contract that it must be signed prior to the new season beginning. Many players in the NHL would like to not talk contract while they play their game as they feel it's a distraction to the team and to themselves. This shortened timeframe certainly puts the pressure on general manager Chris Drury To have this resolved or run the risk of Shesterkin walking into free agency.

That would mean a deal would need to be crafted by October 9th and it's uncertain if the Rangers can get this deal done in time. Given his body of work last season after his minor blip in December and January, he's been lights out good for the Rangers while winning a Vezina Trophy and almost putting his team in the Stanley Cup finals.

The Rangers should get this done as soon as they can.

Source: NHLtraderumors