Sportsnet Insider explains reason behind Igor Shesterkin's contract offer rejection

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Ryan Hall
October 11, 2024 (8:15)

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Sportsnet Insider and 32 Thoughts podcaster Elliotte Friedman explained on Oilers Now why Rangers goaltender Shesterkin had rejected his $88 million offer

Rumors and information have been leaking to the web of an impending contract extension for the Rangers netminder as the super imposed deadline of striking a deal prior to the season beginning push this along quicker.

But news broke over the last week Shesterkin had rejected his $88 million offer which would put him as the highest paid goaltender of all time at $11 million AAV. Former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price still holds that record at 10.5 million AAV.

«What I do believe is this: I believe that Shesterkin and his representatives have argued that he is the best player on the team, and that he should be paid as such. I don't think they're looking for Draisaitl money ($14M AAV) or anything like that, but I do think that their ask would make him the highest paid player on the Rangers, and right now the highest paid player is (Artemi) Panarin ($11.642 million AAV). So I think that's kind of what we're looking at here, is the Rangers don't want to go there at this point in time.

As all fans in the NHL saw when Jeremy Swayman's contract negotiations became public, he drew the ire of many fans feeling that the player may be asking too much for what he has done over the course of his career. Both Shesterkin and Swayman are completely different cases as Igor holds a Vezina, Helping the Rangers go 3 rounds in the playoffs and a record of most wins ever in a regular season for the team.

"The situations aren't exactly the same, because Shesterkin does have a contract this year, " said Friedman, "but it's an interesting one."

Even though a deadline has been placed and now has been surpassed with the start of the NHL season, it's likely the Rangers will continue to dialogue with their camp as the team will work feverishly to lock him their number one goaltender prior to next year's unrestricted free agency which will feed him likely walk with no compensation to the team.

POLL
How much do you think the Rangers and Igor Shesterkin will settle on his new contract?
11 million AAV	23	13.8 %
11.5 million AAV	60	35.9 %
12 million AAV	64	38.3 %
12.5 million or more	20	12 %
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