The New York Rangers suffered a strange loss in their home opener against the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday, but they rebounded with a win against Detroit on Monday. Before the Rangers clinched a 4-1 victory over the Red Wings, all attention was on Igor Shesterkin after his disappointing performance over the weekend. Following a game where he allowed six goals against Utah, Shesterkin returned with a strong showing against Detroit, making 31 saves and giving up only one goal, which helped the Rangers secure their first home win of the season. After the game, Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde praised the Russian goaltender’s skills, reigniting discussions about Shesterkin’s contract extension with the Rangers.
“He’s special,” Lalonde said after the game, via NHL.com’s Dan Rosen. “I can see why he turned down the 88 (million dollars). Good agent.”
Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde on Igor Shesterkin:
“He’s special. I can see why he turned down the 88 (million dollars). Good agent.”
Shesterkin’s contract situation has generated significant discussion during the preseason and the beginning of the regular season. The 2023 Vezina Trophy winner turned down an offer that would have made him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history, exceeding Carey Price’s eight-year, $84 million deal. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Shesterkin’s aim isn’t just to be the highest-paid goalie but to become the highest-paid player on the current New York Rangers roster.
Leave a Reply