New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin agreed to a record-setting eight-year, $92 million contract on Friday, according to multiple reports.
Shesterkin’s deal, which averages $11.5 million annually and runs through the 2032-33 season, is the largest ever for a goaltender. The previous high was an eight-year, $84 million deal ($10.5 million average) that Carey Price signed with the Montreal Canadiens in 2017.
Shesterkin, who won the Vezina Trophy as the top netminder for the 2021-22 season, turned down an eight-year, $88 million offer just prior to the start of this season. He is making $5.66 million in 2023-24 in the final season of a four-year, $22.67 million contract.
The Moscow native finished third in Hart Trophy (MVP) balloting during his stellar 2021-22 season in when he went 36-13-4 and led the NHL with both a 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.
Shesterkin, who turns 29 on Dec. 30, has won 36 or more games in each of the past three regular seasons.
But this season, he is just 8-9-1 with a personal-worst 3.05 GAA in 18 games this season. His .908 save percentage is also his worst.
Overall, Shesterkin is 143-68-18 with a 2.48 GAA and .920 save percentage in 231 appearances (226 starts) over six seasons.
In the postseason, he is 23-20-0 with a 2.41 GAA and .928 save percentage.
Reports of the deal began circulating shortly after the Rangers traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks. That freed up money for next season as Trouba was in the sixth season of a seven-year, $56 million deal.
–Field Level Media
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