Here's the Maven's opinion on how Chris Drury should handle Igor Shesterkin's contract situation.
Igor Shesterkin has a prerogative but that doesn't mean that The Maven has to agree with him; nor does it make his outrageous demands right.
The talk is that this netminder – who is not the best in the NHL nor even the second best – is talking nutsy numbers like 12 or 13 million and probably more years than you have fingers on your left hand.
There's something totally illogical about it and sensible hockey men with whom I talk agree. One of them, Chris Riley of River Edge, New Jersey has played a lot of hockey including at Providence College under Lou Lamoriello.
Riley, who is producer and host of Inside The Game podcast and creator of Asphalt Avengers hockey concept, has studied goaltenders since before Shesterkin was born.
"Look at Igor's playoff record," says Riley. "It's only 23-20. He failed – was even pulled – in the Devils playoff and last spring he looked 'soft' against the Canes."
Author and hockey reporter Alan Greenberg points out that Chris Drury would have to have his head examined if he gives his goalkeeper too much dough and too many years.
"Drury has to play hardball," Greenberg insists. "Eight year contracts at megabucks never age well. Shesterkin may be a great goalie but he's not a Martin Brodeur nor a Patrick Roy. And Igor has been erratic."
The greed part enters the equation when you factor in how a 12 million deal would disrupt the Rangers' Cap situation. Other team players think about their franchise as much as themselves.
One such example is Florida's playoff hero Sam Reinhart who had to decide – "team or me" – after his Cats won The Stanley Cup.
Greenberg: "Reinhart gave management a home team discount to help the team stay competitive. He sacrificed a few million to stay with the winners. If Drury gives Igor unprecedented dollars it will strangle the Rangers for years."
When a player fails in THE big game as Shesty did against Florida, it raises questions about his inner side, his clutch-ability.
"In hockey," says Riley, "You need heart and passion and, at times, I didn't see that in Igor. Mike Richter had it and so did Marty Brodeur. Until Igor wins a Stanley Cup, he's just another NHL goalie with great stats."
Riley believes that Igor's demand is $12 million compared to his current $5.67. "Right now" Chris concludes, "Shesterkin is making $233,000 every two weeks." Then, a pause: "That's not a bad job!"
A lot of The Maven's readers would love that and they're not even greedy!
