New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin made headlines earlier this NHL season when he signed a massive new contract. Fans and experts had high expectations, but his performance so far hasn’t matched the excitement around the deal.
A Record-Breaking Deal
Shesterkin signed an eight-year contract worth $11.5 million per year, starting from the 2025-26 season. That will make him the highest-paid goaltender in the entire NHL. Many believed he deserved it. After all, he’s often seen as one of the best goalies in the league.
Before the deal, he was set to become a free agent, and his contract talks were a major topic in the hockey world. It was clear that Shesterkin wanted to reset the market for elite goalies – and he did exactly that.
Stats Not Matching the Salary – Yet
But things haven’t gone smoothly on the ice. This season has been one of Shesterkin’s toughest since he joined the Rangers in 2019. His current goals-against average (GAA) is 2.84, and his save percentage is .906 – both are the worst in his career so far.
These numbers are still decent for most goalies, but for someone earning $11.5 million per year, fans expect elite performances every night. And right now, those expectations aren’t being fully met.
The Team’s Struggles Are Also a Factor
It’s important to mention that the Rangers’ defense hasn’t been strong this season. That’s put a lot of pressure on Shesterkin to perform. Despite his dip in stats, he has still saved 22.2 goals above expected – the third-highest in the league, according to moneypuck.com.
That means he’s actually doing better than the numbers suggest, saving goals that should have gone in, mainly because his defense isn’t helping him much.
A Similar Case: Sergei Bobrovsky
Shesterkin’s situation reminds many fans of what happened to Sergei Bobrovsky. The Florida Panthers signed Bobrovsky to a $10 million-per-year contract after he had a strong career with the Columbus Blue Jackets. But once he joined the Panthers, his performance dropped.
In his first season with Florida, Bobrovsky had a 3.23 GAA and a .900 save percentage. It took him several years to get back to top form. Eventually, he proved himself by helping the Panthers win the Stanley Cup in 2024. But for a long time, many thought his contract was one of the worst in the NHL.
Will Shesterkin Bounce Back?
Big contracts for goalies always come with risk. They’re important players, but their form can change quickly, and a few bad games can lead to lots of criticism. Shesterkin now has to prove that he can carry the pressure and deliver top performances consistently.
He’s already shown he can be elite, and with almost 50 career shutouts, including five this season, there’s no doubt about his skill. But starting next season, he will be expected to be near-perfect — especially with that salary.
Whether he becomes the next Bobrovsky, who struggled early but ended up a champion, or falls short of expectations, depends on how he performs once the new deal kicks in.
Igor Shesterkin’s contract has made him the highest-paid goalie in the NHL, but it also brings a lot of pressure. His current season hasn’t been his best, and his numbers are not what fans expected. However, poor team defense and high saves above expected show that he’s still doing a lot right.
If he can return to top form, like Bobrovsky eventually did, he’ll prove that the Rangers made the right call. But if his struggles continue, questions will surely follow. The next season will be the true test of whether this big-money bet pays off for New York.
The Ottawa Senators have shown that smart decisions, strong defense, and a united team can lead to big improvements. While their offense has dipped slightly, their focus on limiting goals against and getting better performances from their goalie and defenders has paid off.
With a playoff spot almost certain, the Senators are on track to end a seven-year wait and finally compete in the post-season again. Meanwhile, teams like the Sabres and Red Wings need to go back to the drawing board if they want to join that success in the future.
