According to Elliotte Friedman, Igor Shesterkin strongly advocated for a full no-move clause across all eight years of his contract extension with the New York Rangers. While this might not come as a huge surprise given his status as an NHL superstar, what is a bit surprising is Friedman’s suggestion that the clause was pushed for after what happened to Jacob Trouba.
What Friedman is reporting is that the decision to go the full eight seasons with a full no-move was likely influenced by the fallout from the Rangers’ handling of Jacob Trouba. That trade reportedly left a sour taste in the Rangers’ locker room and sparked discussions about player security even though Trouba had a no-trade clause.
The Rangers threatened to waive Trouba until he waived his no-trade clause. Clearly, Shesterkin doesn’t want to be leveraged into the same situation, likely near the end of his deal when it’s believed his production will be in decline.
Did Shesterkin Feel Like He Couldn’t Trust the Rangers?
Shesterkin’s push for the no-move clause reflects a growing trend among star players seeking to protect their future, particularly after witnessing the impact of controversial team decisions. A no-move clause ensures a player cannot be traded, waived, or demoted without their consent, providing a layer of stability that Shesterkin clearly values.
The 28-year-old goaltender remains a cornerstone of the Rangers’ lineup, and locking in his long-term future with full no-move protection could be about how confident they are that he’ll stay an elite goaltender for the full eight seasons. Alternatively, it could have been a scenario where Shesterkin forced the Rangers’ hand and wouldn’t sign without knowing they couldn’t pull a Trouba on him down the road.
