The ongoing contract saga surrounding New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin has added a new storyline to the Blueshirts' season amid an endless stream of rumors and reports.
Following the win over Detroit on Oct. 14, Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde praised Shesterkin's play referencing the contract offer rejected by the netminder before the start of the regular season.
After another impressive performance on Saturday against the Maple Leafs in Toronto, two more rivals gave Shesterkin his flowers, giving him more leverage in contract talks.
For context, the Rangers beat the Leafs 4–1 in Toronto with Shesterkin stopping 34 of 35 shots on goal, allowing just one goal to Leafs team captain Auston Matthews.
While Toronto had multiple chances to score and make the game a closer affair, the Leafs failed to beat Shesterkin more than once and only Matthews could hit the net.
“Very composed,” Matthews said, via Mark Masters. “He's not the biggest guy, but he's very athletic and seems to come up with big saves when his team needs it.
”Obviously a lot of respect for him.”
Anthony Stolarz, the opposing goalie in Saturday's game, was also quick to praise Shesterkin after the match.
“You can see why he’s going to be the highest-paid goalie in the league,” Stolarz said, via Peter Baugh.
Despite reports of Shesterkin turning down an $88 million offer, the goalie continues to deliver, further solidifying his case for landing the highest-ever salary among goalies and the highest annual salary among Rangers players.
That, however, might be out of Shesterkin's reach if the latest report from Weekes is to be believed.
According to Weekes, the Rangers star goalie is unlikely to secure the $12-plus million per season.
"I think ultimately this gets resolved with a number with an 11 on it," Weekes said. "That’s my thought. I don’t think it goes to 12.
"Yeah, I don’t think it goes to 12. Could be wrong.”
