Hours after the Rangers bid farewell to one franchise staple, they recommitted to another for the long haul.
The Rangers on Friday reached an eight-year extension with star goalie Igor Shesterkin for an average annual salary of $11.5 million, according to ESPN.
It’s the highest annual salary for a goalie in NHL history, topping the $10.5 million-per-year contract Carey Price signed with the Montreal Canadiens in 2017.
Shesterkin’s deal came on the same day the Rangers traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks, reportedly clearing about $8 million in cap space.
Shesterkin, 28, entered Friday with a 143-68-19 record, a 2.48 goals against average and a .920 save percentage in six NHL seasons, all with the Rangers. In 2022, he received the Vezina Trophy, which is awarded to the league’s top goaltender.
The extension served as a resolution after much discussion about the future of Shesterkin, who was in the last year of a four-year contract that paid him $5.66 million annually.
His new deal features a significant raise, but Shesterkin’s salary still falls just short of the Rangers’ highest paid player, Artemi Panarin, whose average annual earnings are $11.6 million.
Shesterkin played a starring role on the Rangers’ run to the Eastern Conference Final last season, but the Russian-born goalie’s stats are down to start the 2024-25 campaign. He entered Friday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden with an 8-9-1 record while putting up a career-worst 3.05 GAA and a career-low .908 save percentage.
The Rangers as a whole are off to a slow start, entering Friday with a 13-10-1 record and as losers in six of their last seven games.
The trade of the defenseman Trouba, meanwhile, brought back defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick.
Trouba, who was in his sixth year with the Rangers, had a plus/minus of -3 in 24 games for the Rangers this season. He did not score a goal and had six assists.
“I want to sincerely thank Jacob for his contributions to the Rangers and our community,” general manager Chris Drury said in a statement.
“Jacob has been an example on and off the ice for our organization and played a major role in our success over the last several years. Since coming to New York five years ago, and serving as Captain for the last three seasons, he has demonstrated grit, toughness, and tremendous leadership and we can’t thank Jacob enough for everything he has done for the Rangers.”
Trouba, 30, became the latest contributor from last year’s run to go. The Rangers waived forward Barclay Goodrow in June, and he was claimed by the San Jose Sharks.
