The New York Rangers are gearing up to negotiate a new contract this summer, aiming to make Igor Shesterkin the highest-paid goalie in the NHL. Despite Igor Shesterkin’s outstanding performance, the Rangers were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final playoff series. Florida’s head coach Paul Maurice compared Shesterkin’s series to José Théodore’s iconic 2002 display, hailing Shesterkin as “brilliant.” Shesterkin faced 524 shots over 16 games with an impressive .926 save percentage, emphasizing his crucial role in keeping the Rangers competitive despite being outshot in 13 of those games. As Shesterkin has one more season left on his current contract, negotiations for his next deal are set to make him the highest-paid goalie in the NHL.
The Rangers’ coach commended Shesterkin for his exceptional performance in the series, describing him as “outstanding.” While Shesterkin played remarkably, the Rangers fell short due to various factors beyond his control. The team faced deficits in shots (202-151) and shot attempts (468-372), struggled on the power play (1-for-15), and had challenging third periods. Key players like Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Artemi Panarin only managed to score two goals collectively. The Rangers scored a total of 12 goals in six games, which proved insufficient to overcome the Florida Panthers.
It is evident that Shesterkin was not the reason for the series loss, and in fact, his performance likely prevented a sweep by the Panthers.
The Rangers must swiftly secure a contract extension for Shesterkin
Looking ahead, the Rangers are expected to focus on minor adjustments rather than significant roster changes this summer, as reported by ESPN’s Kristen Shilton and Ryan S. Clark. Their primary objective will be to secure a new long-term contract for their standout goaltender as Shesterkin nears unrestricted free agency next year. Negotiating a deal that could potentially make him the highest-paid goalie in the NHL will be the Rangers’ main priority.
It is crucial for the Rangers to uphold Shesterkin’s exceptional performance and rejuvenate the form of their top skaters to maintain their status as top contenders in the Eastern Conference. The team can only hope that Shesterkin is not becoming disenchanted with the way recent seasons have concluded.
Ensuring Shesterkin’s future with the team is of utmost importance, and it is likely that they will need to offer a significant salary to retain him.
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