Now that one of the busiest days in New York Rangers history has come and gone, with a solid 4-2 victory over Pittsburgh to cap it off, let’s all take a breath. This team is now captain-less, once again, with the trade that sent defenseman Jacob Trouba to Anaheim. But, they did retain a player that, has and could eventually, change the entire future of the Blueshirts.
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin has signed a record-setting deal, eight years for $92 million, to stay in New York. This is a move that has been in the works since last season ended, and many thought it would never get done.
That said, let’s talk about why this deal makes complete sense for the Rangers future.
Chance to Win Now and Later
This contract does not happen with the trade of Trouba and the complete dump of his lucrative contract. When he was sent over to Anaheim, so did the rest of his $8 million-a-year deal. This will run until the end of next season.
That cleared the runway for the Rangers to comfortably and confidently sign Shesterkin to a record-breaking contract, that carries $12 million a season. There is a little bit of wiggle room to re-sign some other expiring contracts at the end of this season, so this deal gives the Rangers a chance to win now, and into the future.
If this is the last chance with this current group, and a possible rebuild may be on the horizon shortly, Shesterkin will be a key part of getting back to being a Stanley Cup contender.
Chance to right Lundqvist’s wrongs
Looking at Shesterkin’s tenure with the Rangers thus far, it reads a lot like Henrik Lundqvist’s career. So close but yet so far.
The Rangers still have a chance to right the ship and make it back to being a team that could win the Stanley Cup, even this season. And, with that, they could write all of the wrongs that happened with Lundqvist. If they couldn’t do it for “King Henrik”, they could do it for “Prince Igor”.
Keeping him Happy
The important thing to remember here is that he rejected the offer made by the Rangers at the start of the year. He expressed to the media that he didn’t want to talk about it and wanted to focus on the game. But, after upping the deal a whole $1 million per year, I’m sure this made him comfortable and happy.
That is a great thing for the Rangers, as they will need him to be as successful as he has been for the rest of his career. He is the future of this franchise, and they sink or swim depending on how he does.