The Rangers feared what Igor Shesterkin would get on the open market, which led to Chris Drury pulling the trigger on a new deal.
The New York Rangers have officially signed Igor Shesterkin to an eight-year contract extension.
It’s an eight-year deal worth $92 million as Shesterkin will earn $11.5 million per season, making him the highest paid goalie in NHL history.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirmed that he’ll receive $85 million worth in signing bonuses and has a full no-move clause throughout the entirety of the contract.
Friedman also added Shesterkin left money on the table that he could have gotten on the open market, but the Rangers were eager to get the deal done and the superstar goalie wanted to stay in New York.
Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports Shesterkin will get $54 million in the first four years of the contract and $30 million in the first two years.
The 28-year-old also reportedly wanted to leave the team room to maneuver financially.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury was not willing to risk Shesterkin leaving in free agency, which is why he made sure to get the deal done now.
“With the contract we just signed him to, it speaks volumes to what I think of him… We had no interest in seeing where the market went come July 1,” Drury said.
Shesterkin is now the new king of New York.
