Rangers ready to make Shesterkin the highest paid goalie in the NHL

UPDATE: TSN insider Pierre LeBrun reported that the Rangers are willing to pay Shesterkin "more than" the $10.5 million annual contract that the Montreal Canadiens handed to Carey Price.

"Our understanding is that the Rangers have let Shesterkin's camp know they are willing to pay him more than the $10.5 million that Carey Price made and is still on the books (for)," TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday's early edition of "Insider Trading."

Yesterday, New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin informed both the club and the media that he will not be negotiating a contract extension during the 2024-25 season. If the Rangers can't get Shesterkin signed to a new deala before the puck drops on the season on October 8th, then they'll have to wait until the offseason to get a deal done.

Shesterkin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any team he wants next offseason.

“I love the team, I love the fans, so of course it will be great to stay here. But you never know what’s going to happen,” Shesterkin said. “It’s work for my agent,” Shesterkin said. “I just want to be focused on my game, on practice every day.”

Mollie Walker of The New York Post reports that Shesterkin is aiming to become the highest paid goalie in the NHL and is looking for a long-term contract that will pay him $12 million annually. Should that be the case, the Rangers will need to make some serious changes to free up salary. Captain Jacob Trouba is likely on the chopping block and it remains to be seen what happens with the likes of Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin. 

Walker also reports that the Rangers and Shesterkin's agent are not close in negotiations and that the team is unlikely to get any kind of 'hometown discount' on the final deal. Shesterkin will be the highest paid goalie in the NHL, whether he's in a Rangers jersey or another team's jersey. To mix metaphors a bit here, Shesterkin holds all the cards but the ball is in the Rangers' court. Shesterkin ultimately has to power to say 'yes' or 'no' to any offers, but the Rangers have the power to offer up a contract that Shesterkin cannot refuse.  

Nervous, Blueshirts fans?