NHL Insider reveals shocking clause Igor Shesterkin requested after Jacob Trouba Drama
Igor Shesterkin has added a clause to his contract with the New York Rangers, after seeing what Jacob Trouba went through with GM Chris Drury. The results of the clause could be harrowing if you're a GM.
As Jacob Trouba was forced out of New York after the precipitous drama that unfolded during the offseason, Igor Shesterkin opted to protect himself.
At least, to the best of his abilities, as Trouba was sent to the Anaheim Ducks on the threat of waivers, Shesty saw and learned. Instead of being threatened by GM Chris Drury, Igor Shesterkin and Agent Maxim Moliver put in a stipulation that Shesterkin would have a no-movement clause, for all eight years of his deal with the Rangers.
According to Elliotte Friedman, this stipulation could've been added after the Jacob Trouba fallout.
The Jacob Trouba trade has left a lot of bad taste afterward, as this isn't the only time GM Chris Drury has side-stepped a contract he himself signed.
Barclay Goodrow was the first example of this ruthlessness Drury has gained a reputation for. Instead of waiving his NTC to go to San Jose, he waived him and Mike Grier would claim him quickly afterward.
It would appear that Agent Maxim Moliver and Igor Shesterkin don't trust GM Chris Drury. Given his latest track record, the moves indicate a dedication to the team and his job at the expense of his reputation.
Igor Shesterkin's Future
The only difference between Trouba, and Shesterkin is that Drury himself has stated that Shesterkin is a part of the Rangers' future.
He's already won a Vezina Trophy and provided reliable goaltending on a team that won a President's Trophy in 2023-2024.
But this season, it's a different issue all-together as the team has failed to live up their reputation from last year. The Blueshirts aren't terrible, but they're not great, and without someone like Shesterkin they'd be worse off.
So, was Igor Shesterkin right to add an eight-year, NMC? Yes, if he wants to protect the status quo he enjoys now while being the legitimate #1 backstop for the team.
Shesterkin has given the Rangers blood, and sweat and this situation is fast looking dire for Drury, who failed to put together a winning team during his tenure.
