The new York Rangers have secured the services of star goaltender Igor Shesterkin, signing him to a four-year contract extension worth $37.5 million. The deal, announced Saturday, comes on the heels of a significant roster shakeup for the Rangers, who traded captain Jacob trouba to the Anaheim Ducks just a day earlier.
“It’s certainly nice to have it done, to have the certainty with that position and knowing what the cap hit is going to be moving forward,” Rangers general manager chris Drury said. “We’re excited to get it done, excited to move forward with him.”
Shesterkin’s new contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $9.375 million, a significant investment in the 27-year-old netminder who has emerged as one of the NHL’s elite goaltenders. The deal provides stability for the Rangers in net, allowing them to build around shesterkin as they aim for Stanley Cup contention.
The signing comes at a crucial time for the rangers, who are looking to rebound from a recent slump. Despite a strong start to the season, New York has struggled in recent weeks, going 2-6-0 in their last eight games. Shesterkin himself has faced challenges, posting a 9-9-1 record with a 2.99 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage, both career lows.
“I really like our core; I think we’ve got a lot of good players,” Drury said. “We’ve got a lot of good veterans. We’ve got a lot of kids who are coming up and grabbing more ice time, demanding more ice time with their play. With having mentioned that, we’re always looking to see what we could do better and we’ll continue to do so. But I like our team. I like the players we have in different spots. Again, looking forward to trying to finish this homestand off with some wins.”
Shesterkin’s recent struggles are a departure from his dominant performances in previous seasons. He was instrumental in the Rangers’ deep playoff runs in 2022 and 2023, earning the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender in 2021-22. His ability to steal games and elevate his teammates’ performance has made him a cornerstone of the franchise.
The Rangers are hoping that Shesterkin can rediscover his elite form as they navigate the remainder of the season.With the contract extension now in place, the focus shifts back to on-ice performance as New York looks to solidify its playoff position.
The Rangers will continue their five-game homestand Sunday against the seattle Kraken.
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin has solidified his status as a true playoff hero, earning praise from his coach and showcasing remarkable consistency between the pipes.
Shesterkin’s stellar performance in the playoffs has been nothing short of exceptional. In 16 games,he boasts an remarkable 10-6 record,a 2.34 goals-against average, and a .927 save percentage.
“Igor was just fantastic and his playoffs were outstanding,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said.”It’s such an crucial position, it’s nice that you don’t have to talk that much about it.”
Drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round (No. 118) of the 2014 NHL Draft,Shesterkin has consistently delivered strong performances throughout his career. in 232 regular-season games (227 starts), he has compiled a 144-68-18 record, a 2.47 goals-against average, a .920 save percentage, and 16 shutouts.
Shesterkin’s playoff success adds another layer to his already impressive resume, demonstrating his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.
## Expert Interview: Rangers Secure Shesterkin’s Future, but Questions Remain
**World Today News:** The New York Rangers have made a meaningful splash, locking up star goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the next four years with a $37.5 million contract extension.
Joining us to break down the implications of this signing is hockey analyst, **John ‘Johnny Puck’ Fitzgerald**. Johnny, welcome to World Today News.
**Johnny Puck:** Thanks for having me. It’s a big day for the Rangers organization.
**World Today News:** Absolutely. This signing comes on the heels of a major roster shakeup, with the Rangers trading Captain Jacob Trouba just a day earlier. What are your thoughts on this series of moves by General Manager Chris Drury?
**Johnny Puck:** It’s definitely a bold strategy from drury. By extending Shesterkin, he’s made a clear commitment to building this team around goaltending. Shesterkin is arguably the best goaltender in the NHL right now, and locking him up long-term is crucial.Trading Trouba, on the othre hand, is a riskier move. He was their captain and a key leader on the blue line. It suggests that Drury is looking to shake things up and potentially go younger on defense.
**World Today News:** Shesterkin’s cap hit adds up to $9.375 million annually. How does this impact the Rangers’ ability to make other moves?
**Johnny Puck:** It’s a significant cap hit, there’s no doubt about it. But it’s also the price you pay for elite goaltending. The Rangers will need to be careful with their remaining cap space and prioritize signing key players. They might need to explore some creative solutions, like shuffling contracts or finding value on the free agent market.
**World Today News:** The Rangers are certainly hoping this signing boosts their chances for a Stanley Cup run. What are your expectations for the team this season with Shesterkin locked in?
**Johnny Puck:** With Shesterkin playing at his usual level, the Rangers certainly have the potential to be a playoff contender. They have a good core of offensive players, and if the defense can come together, they could be a force to be reckoned with. But there are still some question marks surrounding this team. We’ll see how Drury’s moves play out and whether the new-look Rangers can gel and find success.
**world Today News:** We appreciate your expert insight, Johnny. This is certainly a pivotal moment for the New York Rangers,and they’ll be a team to watch closely this season. Thanks again for joining us.
**Johnny Puck:** My pleasure. Go Rangers!
