NHL Rumors: Igor Shesterkin Rejects Historic 8-Year, $88M Rangers Contract Offer

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin declined an eight-year, $88 million contract offer from the team, according to ESPN's Kevin Weekes.

An $11 million average annual salary would've made him the highest-paid goalie ever, surpassing the Montreal Canadiens' Carey Price.

Shesterkin is entering the final year of his contract and will make $5.7 million for the 2024-25 season.

The 28-year-old signed his last extension in 2021, and it became clear within a matter of months he would be collecting a sizable pay raise when he was in line for a new contract. He was the Vezina Trophy winner for 2021-22 after leading the NHL in save percentage (.935) and goals-against average (2.07).

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported on Sept. 24 that the Rangers indicated to Shesterkin's representatives they're willing to exceed Price's $10.5 million average salary. Mollie Walker of the New York Post previously reported in June the veteran netminder might be wanting as much as $12 million, though, which Weekes' newest reporting backs up.

Shesterkin's asking price has raised larger questions about the value of goalies and whether it's a wise investment to devote so much of the cap to the position. He has never started more than 58 games in a season, and he could soon have a salary that makes him a top-five earner in the NHL.

All things considered, the idea that goaltenders don't play a full 82-game schedule belies how long they're actually on the ice.

If the Rangers let Shesterkin hit the open market, another suitor could easily be willing to offer him $12 million or more as long as he puts together another strong season. He's arguably the best goaltender right now and Bleacher Report's Lyle Fitzsimmons ranked him ninth overall across all positions.

For a contending team such as New York, Shesterkin would leave a massive void between the pipes if he were to walk in the offseason.