Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Rangers' Igor Shesterkin Speaks Out On Record-Breaking Contract Extension

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Dec 10, 2024 5:30 AM ET

Igor Shesterkin lost no time in showing his gratitude to all New York Rangers fans and teammates after signing a record-breaking eight-year, $92 million contract extension with the franchise.

Both the total money and the average annual value (AAV) of the deal set new highs for netminders, making Shesterkin the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history from all possible perspectives.

The 28-year-old goalie, who won the Vezina Trophy in 2021-22, reflected on his journey and shared his commitment to the city and the team.

“I just want to thank all Rangers fans; they support us so hard,” Shesterkin said via the team’s account on X. “We will play for them and play for our families.

“The support means a lot to me. All of the players in this locker room are like my second family. We love this city. We’re happy to be here for the next eight years.”

Here to stay. pic.twitter.com/OBjavSSsXM
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 9, 2024

Shesterkin’s extension is set at an $11.5 million AAV, features a full no-movement clause, and includes $85 million in signing bonuses.

The deal surpasses Carey Price’s previous $10.5 million AAV record for goaltenders. Despite the historic numbers, however, Shesterkin left money on the table according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, prioritizing stability and his desire to remain in New York over testing the open market.

$11.5M AAV

Some details we're hearing:
$85M in signing bonuses
Full NMC all the way through
According to a couple other teams, he actually left money on the table -- but NYR really wanted to get this done, and Shesterkin ultimately wanted to stay https://t.co/aOF3H4t3ch
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 7, 2024

“According to a couple other teams, he actually left money on the table," Friedman posted on X, "but NYR really wanted to get this done, and Shesterkin ultimately wanted to stay.”

The Rangers drafted Shesterkin in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL draft and he's appeared in 233 games for the franchise winning 144 of them including 16 shutouts.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: