The New York Rangers signed Igor Shesterkin to a massive $11.5 million AAV deal this season. But has it paid off? If Shesterkin can't turn his game around a the Rangers could find other options with the goalie; could trading him be one?![Igor Shesterkin]()
Igor Shesterkin was one of the most highly anticipated pending UFAs in the NHL, that is until GM Chris Drury made him the highest-paid goalie in the league.
The new contract kicks in during the 2025-2026 season.
Now, playing behind one of the worst Rangers teams we've seen in a while, he's had to bail them out more than he'd like.
At $11.5 million, you expect elite goaltending and there are questions whether or not the Rangers are getting the return on investment they'd hope for with the Rangers' starting goalie.
While his 2.84 GAA and .906 save percentage are respectable, they're nowhere near elite and could end up being his downfall in New York.
It should also be noted the Rangers have been abysmal defensively in front of Shesterkin. He still has 22.2 goals saved above expected, which ranks third in the NHL, according to moneypuck.com.
If he cannot rebound, GM Chris Drury could explore other options with the highest-paid goalie in the NHL, and could that end up being a trade?
He has yet to justify the investment the team has put in him, considering he's supposed to be a franchise goalie.
With the Rangers seeking to improve considerably through a retool, they could use the cap space Shesterkin's contract is consuming and eat half of it in order to find a new home.
For example, it took Sergei Bobrovsky playing multiple seasons in Florida before he finally justified his $10 million cap hit.
Now, one Stanley Cup and 50 shutouts later, Bobrovsky has proven his worth and has come a long way from a Blue Jackets team that couldn't defeat the Bruins in the second round.
It is time for the Rangers to put Shesterkin's production under the microscope and see if it is an issue of his alone, and see what he could fetch should the team move him.
Either way, the Rangers aren't a finished product by far.
