Don La Greca sounds warning to Rangers, Igor Shesterkin about massive contract on Rink Rap podcast
New York Rangers Now Reach An Agreement To Sign Another top Experienced Star After Rejecting Contract Offer Today
On the Rink Rap podcast, Don La Greca warns Rangers and Igor Shesterkin about a big deal.
After turning down a contract offer today, the New York Rangers have now agreed to sign another highly experienced player.
When Igor Shesterkin, the goaltender for the New York Rangers, signs his new contract, Don La Greca is all for him to get as much money as possible. The well-known ESPN Radio New York talk show host, however, included a warning in his message when he appeared as a guest on the Rink Rap podcast this week, which is hosted by Forever Blueshirts.
In order for the Rangers to assemble a championship-caliber squad around you, leave some money on the table.
When talking about Shesterkin’s impending free agency and next deal, La Greca said, “He’s gotta’ be careful, good for you, get what you can get — get your bag as they say — but it can’t come at the expense of having bushers in front of him that aren’t going to be able to get the job done.”
Now, that is definitely not the case. In front of their outstanding 28-year-old goalkeeper, the Rangers are loaded. From wing Artemi Panarin to defender Adam Fox, there is a plenty of expensive, elite talent. From fresh talent Alexis Lafreniere to seasoned Chris Kreider. And in the center are Filip Chytil, Vincent Trocheck, and Mika Zibanejad.
Now, all of the expensive critical elements are in place.
However, what occurs if Shesterkin ultimately consents to a significant contract extension? He wants to earn more than Carey Price’s $10.5 a year, which would make him the highest-paid goalkeeper in NHL history. Additionally, it was higher than the $11 million AAV that Shesterkin had already turned down from the Rangers. At least $12 million a season is now in the question. It may be up to $13 million a year for eight years.
At $5.67 million each season, Shesterkin is now a steal. When he blows the goaltender market out of the water, the entire equation becomes jumbled.
With Henrik Lundqvist consuming a significant portion of the Rangers’ wage cap during the preceding ten years, the team had already gone down this path. La Greca thinks that Shesterkin and the Rangers can both benefit from this.
“On the [Michael Kay Show], Henrik Lundqvist stated that goalies are compensated for their consistency rather than for winning cups. And that caught my attention,” La Greca remarked. “That box will be ticked for the duration of (Shesterkin’s) contract if that is your perspective. When the Rangers acquired Lundqvist, they realized that goalkeeping was their one weakness. That’s a good thing to have resolved now.
However, you must have men in front of you even if it is quite likely that the [salary] ceiling will increase. You simply do. Hank also never prevailed. As the best goalie the Rangers have ever had, he walked into the Hall of Fame despite having just one Stanley Cup Final trip and no Cups.
Related: Adam Edstrom demonstrates his “full game” to secure a regular position with the Rangers
Don La Greca is certain that the Rangers will re-sign Igor Shesterkin, a potential free agency.
