NHL Exec Reveals Insane Price Shesterkin Can Command in Free Agency

We've heard the numbers swirling around New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin in his demands for an extension. But the $11.5 million and $12 million annual price tags we've been exposed to are nothing compared to the AAV the pending UFA could command on the open market. At least, according to one NHL assistant GM.

The Western Conference front office exec told Arthur Staple and Peter Baugh of The Athletic the following about Shesterkin's free agency:

There’d be 25 teams that would be trying to figure out how to sign him, even if you’re talking $13-14 million (per year).

The report even goes on to suggest that executives around the league are wondering if the Rangers could even entice the two-time All-Star and one-time Vezina Trophy winner to sign an extension at a $12.5M AAV without risking him getting to free agency.

With the Rangers bent on making changes this season, Staple & Baugh write that the goaltender might want to wait things out anyway until the offseason to see how things shake out with GM Chris Drury's plans for the roster going into the future.

The pair also surmise that if the goalie's plan was to ask for about 14% of the team's cap (which is not out of line with what other superstars are asking for, and getting), then with next year's cap expected to go up to $92.5 million, that would be just a shade under $13M. But the NHLPA is reportedly projecting that next season’s cap could go as high as $95 million, which would translate to a $13.3M AAV.

After a blistering start to the season, Shesterkin has cooled off a bit, like the rest of the Rangers, and is now 8-7-1 with a 2.98 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.