Ex-NHL goalie includes Igor Shesterkin in elite company

The New York Rangers have been fortune to boast some of the National Hockey League's top goaltenders in recent decades, starting with the Mike Richter era of the 90s to the Henrik Lundqvist era of the 2010s. And now, the torch has officially been passed to Igor Shesterkin, regarded as one of the top players at his position in hockey today. 

Former goaltender Cory Schneider recently grouped Shesterkin with some elite company that includes Lundqvist, Hall of Fame legend Martin Brodeur, and former Montreal Canadiens net minder Carey Price.

"I think he does," Schneider answered when asked if Shesterkin is deserving of being named the game's top goalie. "I think this is fair. He's about to become probably the highest-paid goalie in NHL history, depending on where his next contract comes in, and deservedly so."

"He's entering that Carey Price, Lundqvist, Marty Brodeur territory where you're like, ‘Man we gotta play Igor tonight’. He might not be playing well, but you’ll still be a little rattled by him because he could spin the game at any moment and just shut you out and make it look easy," he continued. "He's done incredibly well in the playoffs this year too."

Shesterkin has racked up an impressive 119 victories in the last three combined seasons and captured the Vezina Trophy in 2022, awarded annually to the League's top goaltender. This past season, he came in 4th in Vezina Trophy voting after winning 36 games and leading the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final. 

He's also in line for a hefty pay raise from his current salary of just under $5.7 million a season, and many are predicting he could potentially become the highest paid goalie in NHL history by the time it comes for him to sign on the dotted line. 

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