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“I didn’t deserve it”: $22.67M-worth Igor Shesterkin downplays 2024 All-Star selection, names ideal replacement
New York Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin ranks among the best goaltenders in the world. While the consensus is that he's an All-Star, Shesterkin himself doesn’t quite feel that way.
The Hockey News reported Shesterkin’s interesting comments regarding his All-Star selection in 2024:
“I was actually so skeptical about this because I understood that I don’t deserve to be there. … Well, in my understanding, it should’ve been Quick.”
Igor Sheskterkin’s gracious comments refer to his teammate Jonathan Quick. Quick was the Rangers’ backup goalie last season, filling in for 26 games during the regular season. During the playoffs, though, Shesterkin played every minute of his club’s run to the Conference Final. He added:
“It was psychologically hard for me that I didn’t deserve it and so on, the percentage of saved shots when I was an All-Star was 89 percent.”
Shesterkin ended the season playing 55 games, recording a 36-17-2 mark with a 2.58 GAA and a .913 SV%. Those impressive numbers prove his value to the Rangers.
However, in the playoffs Igor Shesterkin shone, often stealing games for the New York Rangers. He turned in several brilliant performances. Unfortunately, Shesterkin was outdueled by his countryman Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.
In the meantime, Shesterkin looks to continue building on his success with Quick as his steady backup. The Rangers signed Quick to a one-year deal earlier this offseason. So, the Rangers duo should head into training camp focused on bringing a Cup to New York.
Igor Shesterkin needs a new contract
Rangers fans are mildly concerned with the prospect that Igor Shesterkin will enter the 2024-25 season without a contract extension. He's entering the final year of a four-year $22.67 million contract signed in 2021.
While there have been no official comments about a potential contract extension, both Shesterkin and the Rangers seem calm about the situation. The Hockey News reported Shesterkin’s response when asked about a contract extension at the end of last season:
“I don’t speak English.”
The lighthearted comments underscore the serious nature of the situation at hand. Both the Rangers and Shesterkin know that discussing contracts with the media is not the wisest thing to do. So, it seems that for now, both sides will stay mum.
What Igor Shesterkin’s new contract would look remains to be seen. If Juuse Saros’ new deal in Nashville is any indication, Sheskterkin could get $8-9 million per season. In fact, Sheskterkin could easily surpass the eight-year, $76 million deal the Tampa Bay Lightning have Andrei Vasilevsky.
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