This year, one of the most intriguing negotiations in the NHL will take place between the New York Rangers and their star goalie, Igor Shesterkin.
It’s not just because the Rangers are eager to retain the services of a player widely regarded as the best goalie in the world.
The soon-to-be unrestricted free agent, aged 28, will shine a light on a position that has faced financial challenges in recent years.
Shesterkin’s representatives, Rick Komarow and Maxim Moliver, seem to be aiming to change that narrative. While they have chosen to remain silent on the matter, insights gathered from other sources reveal that they are intent on establishing a new financial benchmark for goalie contracts.
This objective may come to fruition with the Rangers or potentially with another team.
First, let’s examine the context they are navigating—three prominent recent contracts for No. 1 goalies:
| Goalie | Years | AAV | Signed | Kicks in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shesterkin’s team is aiming to surpass these existing agreements, and I believe they will succeed. For one, the salary cap is on an upward trajectory.
Their camp regards him as the best goalie—not just in the league but among the elite players overall.
His next contract is expected to exceed a $10 million average annual value (AAV), targeting more than the $10 million AAV Sergei Bobrovsky received from the Florida Panthers in 2019, and the $10.5 million Carey Price obtained from the Canadiens in 2017—these being the two highest AAVs currently in the NHL for goalies.
According to league sources, the Rangers have communicated to Shesterkin’s camp a willingness to offer him an amount greater than Price’s $10.5 million AAV, effectively making him the highest-paid goalie in league history.
However, despite this indication, a deal has not yet been finalized. Ongoing discussions, though, are a positive sign.
This leads to the question: what amount will be required to finalize the agreement? Would it be $11.5 million? Or perhaps $12 million? Could it go as high as $12.5 million or even $13 million?
What kind of contract could he command on the open market after July 1? It’s hard to imagine the top goalie in the world, in his prime, hitting unrestricted free agency, especially with a career playoff save percentage of .928.
There is a ceiling to how far the Rangers will stretch their budget, as they have other contracts to consider in the coming years. Still, they seem prepared to offer more than Price’s $10.5 million.
5 million.
The Rangers can certainly reference Hellebuyck’s contract extension from 13 months ago, noting that the two-time Vezina Trophy winner signed for $8.5 million per year, while Shesterkin has only won the Vezina once.
Shesterkin’s representatives might counter this by emphasizing the cap percentage, especially since the cap is projected to rise annually. They could also argue that Hellebuyck may have erred in signing that deal.
In Hellebuyck’s defense, it’s important to consider that this contract amounts to a significant sum over seven years. Furthermore, when the Winnipeg Jets initially faced the possibility of trading their star goalie, it became evident during the 2023 offseason that signing him would not be straightforward. After consulting the market informally, Hellebuyck’s camp likely realized, to their surprise, that no team was willing to offer them a mega-contract, which led them to stay put.
Meanwhile, as discussions continue, the clock is ticking on reaching an extension before the Rangers’ regular season kicks off on October 9. As reported a few days ago by The Athletic’s New York NHL writers, Arthur Staple and Peter Baugh, the star goalie prefers to pause negotiations once the regular season starts.
GO DEEPER
What we’ve seen and heard at Rangers camp: Shesterkin’s contract, Chytil feeling good and more
No matter how this situation unfolds, it will be intriguing to observe, particularly in relation to how teams allocate salary cap resources to the goalie position.
This allocation is partly influenced by the fact that top goaltenders no longer play as many games as they did in the past. Advances in sports science have fostered greater sharing of duties in the crease. Additionally, there exists a belief in certain NHL front offices that the disparity in talent among goalies has diminished.
A quote from Blues general manager Doug Armstrong from a few weeks ago comes to mind. In his capacity as Canada’s Olympic GM, he addressed concerns regarding the team’s netminders, but his commentary could equally apply to the recent financial landscape for goalies overall.
“My perspective on goaltending is that the floor is now much closer to the ceiling than ever before,” Armstrong stated regarding NHL goaltending. “That’s why we don’t see generational goalies dominating the league for a decade, like Brodeur, Belfour, Patrick, or Hasek. Instead, we observe players emerging and fading every couple of years. I believe the baseline talent level is significantly higher.”
While many consider Shesterkin to be the best goalie in the world, opinions are varied. Some would choose Hellebuyck, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Sorokin, or Saros instead.
As previously mentioned, when Hellebuyck informally assessed the market for his services in the summer of 2023, it proved to
It wouldn’t surprise me if this gets finalized closer to the opening night.
GO DEEPER
Shinzawa: In Swayman vs. the Bruins, the goalie is not wired to stand down
Kessel still hoping to play
Phil Kessel is not yet considering retirement. He is eager to sign with an NHL team on a PTO to showcase his abilities.
A few teams have maintained communication with his agent, Wade Arnott. They are observing how their training camps and preseason games unfold before proceeding further.
Kessel practiced with NHL players in Arizona prior to the start of training camps and is actively training to stay in shape. I’ve learned that he is unconcerned about his regular season ironman streak, should teams have reservations about that. He is willing to miss games and accept any role assigned to him.
While he’s not pleading for a position, he firmly believes he can still contribute to a team.
His most recent NHL appearance was on April 24, 2023, with Vegas, and the extended break raises concerns for teams.
Phil Kessel hasn’t played in the NHL since lifting the Cup with the Golden Knights. (Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
Shattenkirk, too
Veteran unrestricted free agent defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is also looking for an opportunity. The 35-year-old participated in 61 games for the Bruins last season under a one-year, $1.05 million contract and believes he still has value to add.
“Kevin is prepared to play and is patiently awaiting the right chance,” his agent, Jordan Neumann, stated on Tuesday. “We are keeping in regular touch with several teams as their training camps proceed.”
This indicates a potential opportunity for him.
Teams are currently assessing whether a rookie is prepared to transition to the NHL or if they require more development time in the AHL.
However, I anticipate that Shattenkirk will secure a budget-friendly deal within the next few weeks.
No Discussions on Ullmark Yet
Linus Ullmark is about to enter the last year of his contract, yet discussions regarding an extension with the Ottawa Senators have not commenced. Colleague Chris Johnston reported on Tuesday during our Insider Trading segment on TSN. The Senators made a significant move by trading for the veteran goaltender from Boston in June and are keen on extending his tenure in Canada’s capital; however, they plan to take their time before initiating negotiations.
General Manager Steve Staios aims to allow Ullmark the opportunity to become as enthusiastic about both the team and the city as the organization is about bringing him on board.
INSIDER TRADING…
– Shesterkin camp looks to reset goalie market
– Sens waiting to start Ullmark extension talks
– Holland ready for next challenge
– Kessel seeking PTO; still eager to play
– Expansion not on agenda for next BOG meetingMORE: pic.twitter.com/EAGWRYrnaG
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) September 24, 2024
League’s Commitment to a Decentralized Draft
Following the NHL Draft held at the Sphere in Las Vegas last June, there was considerable discussion among teams regarding the potential need for the league to rethink the decentralization of the draft.
There was even speculation about conducting another vote among the 32 clubs.
To my knowledge, that second vote did not take place.
On Tuesday, the league confirmed that, at the request of a substantial majority of clubs, it is proceeding with plans for a decentralized draft scheduled for June 2025.
So, June will feature a completely revamped draft format. While the draft prospects will remain in a single location, the 32 front office teams will be stationed in their respective markets.
(Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images)
Setting the Stage: Igor Shesterkin’s Contract Negotiations Could Redefine NHL Goalie Market
Overview of Igor Shesterkin’s Career
Igor Shesterkin, the standout goalie for the New York Rangers, has rapidly ascended to elite status in the NHL. Since making his debut in the 2019-2020 season, Shesterkin has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience on the ice. His performance has not only solidified his position as the Rangers’ starting goaltender but has also put him in the conversation for the highest-paid goalies in the league.
The Current Goalie Market Landscape
As of the 2023 NHL season, the goalie market has seen a significant evolution. With various contracts signed by top goaltenders, teams are re-evaluating their strategies regarding player investments. Some key trends in the current goalie market include:
- Short-Term vs. Long-Term Deals: Teams are weighing the benefits of locking in talent for longer periods versus the flexibility of shorter contracts.
- Performance Bonuses: As teams look for cost-effective solutions, performance bonuses are becoming more popular in negotiations.
- Rising AAVs: The average annual value (AAV) of goalie contracts is on the rise, reflecting the increasing importance of elite goaltending in playoff success.
Analyzing Shesterkin’s Contract Situation
Shesterkin’s current contract, which runs through the 2024-2025 season, has a cap hit of $5.67 million. As he enters the final year of his contract, several factors could influence his negotiations:
Performance Metrics
| Season | Games Played | Goals Against Average (GAA) | Save Percentage (SV%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2021 | 35 | 2.62 | .916 |
| 2021-2022 | 53 | 2.07 | .935 |
| 2022-2023 | 60 | 2.29 | .925 |
Shesterkin’s impressive statistics, including a GAA consistently below 2.5 and a save percentage that ranks among the league’s best, provide a strong foundation for his contract negotiations. These metrics not only highlight his value to the Rangers but also set a precedent for what top-tier goaltenders can command in the market.
Market Comparisons
To understand how Shesterkin’s potential contract could reshape the goalie market, it is essential to compare him to other elite goaltenders:
| Goalie | Team | Contract AAV |
|---|---|---|
| Andrei Vasilevskiy | Tampa Bay Lightning | $9.5 million |
| Connor Hellebuyck | Winnipeg Jets | $6.1 million |
| Juuse Saros | Nashville Predators | $5 million |
With these figures in mind, Shesterkin could justifiably seek a contract that places him among the highest-paid goalies, especially considering his trajectory and potential.
Impact on the NHL Goalie Market
Shesterkin’s negotiations could redefine the goalie market in several key ways:
Setting New Standards
If Shesterkin secures a deal approaching or exceeding Vasilevskiy’s AAV, it would signal to teams that elite goaltending is a critical investment. This could lead to a ripple effect throughout the league, as franchises may be forced to reconsider their valuations of goaltenders.
Team Strategies
As teams look to build competitive rosters, they may shift focus in how they allocate salary cap space towards goaltending. This could impact the decisions regarding other positions, leading to a more balanced distribution of talent across the roster.
Emerging Talent
Young goalies in the NHL will also be watching Shesterkin’s situation closely. A high-value contract could encourage more teams to invest in promising netminders rather than relying solely on veterans. This could foster a new wave of talent entering the league, changing the dynamics of team-building strategies.
What to Expect in Negotiations
The negotiations surrounding Shesterkin’s new contract will be closely monitored by fans, analysts, and other teams alike. Here are some potential outcomes and strategies:
Negotiation Strategies
- Long-Term Commitment: Shesterkin may seek a long-term deal to ensure stability and security, likely looking for something between six to eight years.
- Incentives and Bonuses: Expect negotiations to focus on performance-related bonuses to ensure both parties feel valued and motivated.
- Cap-Friendly Deals: The Rangers may try to structure the contract in a way that allows for flexibility under the salary cap.
Potential Case Studies
Looking at previous goaltender negotiations can provide insight into what Shesterkin might face:
- Carey Price: His $10.5 million AAV set a high bar and influenced many subsequent contracts.
- Sergei Bobrovsky: His dual contract situation showed the risks and rewards of high investment in goaltending.
Benefits of a Well-Negotiated Contract
A successful negotiation for Shesterkin could yield significant advantages for both the player and the Rangers:
- Stability: A long-term contract ensures that the Rangers have a dependable starting goalie, crucial for playoff aspirations.
- Morale Boost: Securing Shesterkin could enhance team morale, knowing they have a top-tier goalie.
- Market Positioning: Shesterkin’s contract could attract other free agents or trade targets, solidifying the Rangers’ position as a competitive team.
Conclusion
Igor Shesterkin’s impending contract negotiations are not just a pivotal moment for him personally, but they could also reshape the landscape of the NHL goalie market. As fans and analysts watch closely, the outcome will undoubtedly influence how teams approach goaltending investments in the future. The implications of his contract could echo throughout the league, setting new standards and expectations for elite goaltending.
