In the span of 48 hours this past weekend, Igor Shesterkin became both the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history and a father of two.
The star Russian netminder first put pen to paper on a lucrative eight-year, $92 million extension with the Blueshirts that carries an average annual value of $11.5 million on Saturday.
Then, on Sunday, Shesterkin, his wife, Anna Butusova, and their first son, Timofey, welcomed a baby girl into the family.
While sharing his immense happiness, Shesterkin also admitted his relief to get it done.
His most notable expression, however, was directed toward Rangers fans.
“I’ll try my best and we’ll try to bring the Cup back to New York,” he said. “Just want to thank all the Rangers fans, because they support us so hard and we will play for them, play for our families.”
In his record-setting new deal, which eclipsed Canadiens goalie Carey Price’s $10.5 million, Shesterkin has a full no-move clause, according to a source.
It is mostly paid out in signing bonuses — $85 million — with a front-loaded structure.
The assumption is that Shesterkin could’ve gotten more on the open market, but the Rangers were able to get it done and lock down their franchise goalie through the 2032-33 season, when he will be 37.
Shesterkin has been the Rangers’ best player since making his NHL debut in the middle of the COVID-19-interrupted 2019-20 campaign, posting a career save percentage of .920 and a 2.47 goals-against average.
While he’s bailed the Blueshirts out of several games this season, Shesterkin hasn’t been his otherworldly self in the previous few contests before he started Monday night’s matchup with the Blackhawks.
He had given up nine goals on 84 shots through his last three games.
“To be honest, it was pretty hard to take all this noise,” Shesterkin said. “Everything happened right now, everything is done and so I can be ready for a game and be focused. Sometimes, it’s not hard. Sometimes, it’s hard. You never know, but sometimes it was pretty hard — especially after bad games.
“You just try to go to [the] next day, but it follows you and everyone talks about it.”
The 28-year-old Shesterkin was still ranked eighth in the NHL in save percentage (.908) among goalies with at least 19 starts before Monday’s slate of games. His GAA of 2.99 is also good for 14th in the league.
After Shesterkin declined an eight-year, $11 million deal on the eve of the season opener, perhaps the Rangers and Shesterkin’s camp recognized it was hanging over the star goalie as the 2024-25 campaign had progressed.
Now, Shesterkin can free his mind of the business side of the game and just play.
It’s been a rocky start to the season for the Rangers for a multitude of reasons, beginning in the offseason. From a five-game losing streak to the departure of their captain, Jacob Trouba, on Friday, the Rangers are in the midst of trying to stabilize.
So how does Shesterkin feel about the Rangers’ future?
“The future is bright, you know?” He said. “I know that. We’ll do our best.”
