Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette is raising concerns for the New York Rangers regarding Igor Shesterkin’s contract situation. Bissonnette believes the team should work on extending Shesterkin’s contract promptly to avoid him becoming a costly free agent. ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported that Shesterkin declined an $88 million offer over eight years from the Rangers. This news surfaced just before the regular season began, with the goalie seemingly setting a negotiating deadline of October 9, although recent updates from Elliotte Friedman suggest that this date may not be final.
On the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast episode released on October 15, Bissonnette voiced his worries about the ongoing situation with Shesterkin, warning that the Rangers could encounter significant issues if they don’t secure a deal soon.
“(Shesterkin’s) agent told the Rangers, ‘Offer something now before the season starts, but once the season starts, we’re not negotiating,'” Bissonnette said. “I think if the (Rangers) get to his number (Shesterkin’s preferred salary figure), that’s (expletive), and they’ll accept it.”
Shesterkin, considered one of the best goalies in the league, declined an offer of $11 million per year. According to Friedman, while Shesterkin isn’t aiming to be the highest-paid goalie in the NHL, he does want to be the highest-paid player on the Rangers’ roster. Friedman’s assessment suggests that Shesterkin’s camp is likely seeking a salary of approximately $12.58 million annually, aligning with Panarin’s percentage of the salary cap.
Bissonnette believes Shesterkin’s value could soar to $12 or $12.5 million per season, especially if he tests free agency. “If I were the Rangers, after the eight (years) $11 (million) was denied, I would have offered 100 grand more per year than what Panarin is making,” Bissonnette said, “and I would have offered it now. “I think that next summer, you’re looking at $12 to $12.5 (million)… and why not just get it over with now, because you know you have to sign him.” The threat of losing Shesterkin, or having his price driven up by other interested teams in free agency, looms large for the Rangers, something Bissonnette warned the Rangers about. “The Rangers don’t have an option other than to sign him,” he said. “So they’d be better served to complete that now than later.” Through three games this season, Shesterkin has put up a 2-0-1 record allowing 2.28 goals against on average and posting a .921 save percentage.
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