Who Will Be Next NHL Star To Sign Big Money Extension? Top 3 Possibilites

After the huge Leon Draisaitl extension dropped on Tuesday, we turn our attention to impending UFAs who should be next to sign a massive contract extension.

There are a number of big name players who are already extension eligible, and have been all summer, but with nothing to show for it just yet. Some of them just might not be in line for an extension before the season is out.

But these 3 pending UFAs top our list of most likely to re-up with a big new deal before the puck drops on the 2024-25 season.

Igor Shesterkin, G, New York Rangers

One of the best goaltenders in hockey, already with a Vezina Trophy on his resume and a Top 4 finish as well, in just four full NHL seasons. He is the cornerstone of the Rangers organization, and sports a career .921 save percentage with a 2.43 goals-against average.

We heard earlier this summer that Shesterkin was looking to pull in the richest contract ever for a goalie, and though a deal hasn't come to fruition just yet, we fully expect that it will. It would be, frankly, quite surprising if Rangers general manager Chris Drury doesn't get him signed before the 2024-25 season faces off.

The only public comment Shesterkin has made about any impending extension was a hilarious one, made back in June, further proving he's a natural to handle the media in the Big Apple.

Igor Shesterkin was asked if he is thinking about a long-term contract with the Rangers:

"I'm sorry, I don't speak English" 😂 pic.twitter.com/jSOhkZbmKx
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024

Linus Ullmark, Ottawa Senators

He wouldn't have been on this list as the summer began. When Ullmark was traded to the Senators, he indicated that he wouldn't be rushing into an extension, preferring to see how things worked out first. But something seems to have changed since then, and all signs around town are pointing to Ullmark getting closer to being ready to sign on long-term in Ottawa.

Hearing Ullmark has bought a home in Ottawa. I wouldn't be shocked if we hear about an extention before the season starts.

If you've been to Sweden, you can understand Ottawa shares many of the same qualities of life. A great place for a young family.
— Shawn Simpson (@SimmerDownCIH) August 23, 2024

Shawn Simpson, former NHL front office and media type, posted, "Hearing Ullmark has bought a home in Ottawa. I wouldn't be shocked if we hear about an extension before the season starts."

At 31, he won't be in line for a deal quite like Shesterkin's, but Ullmark did post stellar marks of a .924 Sv% and 2.28 GAA in his three years in Boston.

Sidney Crosby

Everyone is surprised that Crosby and the Penguins haven't come to terms yet on a new contract. And at 37 years old, he won't be getting an eight-year deal like Draisaitl. But a short-term, big-AAV deal still seems like a slam dunk, even if Penguins faithful are starting to get a little nervous.

Honorable Mentions:

There hasn't been quite as much talk about a Mikko Rantanen extension, though perhaps the Avalance are just keeping things close to the vest. Insider Elliotte Friedman did say a couple of weeks ago, “I did have some teams tell me that they do think there’s some optimism that Colorado and Rantanen can get something done."

Brock Boeser is another name that could land himself a nice extension eventually, but the Vancouver Canucks probably first want to see him on the path to replicating his breakthrough 40-goal season from last year. His extension, therefore, might not come until the season is well underway.