“You never know what can happen”: $22.67 million Igor Shesterkin not worried about future amid contract uncertainty with Rangers (Imagn)

New York Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin is entering the final year of a four-year, $22.67 million deal. However, he is not concerned about starting the year without a contract extension in place.

NHL.com quoted Igor Shesterkin upon the opening of the Rangers’ training camp, stating the following:

“I have one more year, so I don’t care about it.”

Shesterkin’s comments underscore the confidence he has in getting an extension done at some point this season. After all, Shesterkin stated his fondness for the Rangers organization.

“I love the organization, I love the team, I love the fans.”

But while Shesterkin expressed his desire to stay in New York, he did not guarantee a contract extension was a done deal.

Those remarks leave the door open for a possible departure from New York. Nevertheless, Rangers GM Chris Drury has publicly stated his efforts to keep the Vezina-caliber goalie with the Rangers. Drury stated:

“We certainly hope he’s here and a Ranger for a long time.” Drury said. “You know how important he is to our team and our organization. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure he’s here for a long time.”

So far, both Shesterkin and the Rangers have said all the right things. Thus, it would appear that both sides are willing to work out a mutually beneficial deal.

Igor Shesterkin adjusting to a new goaltending coach

Shesterkin spent time this summer in his native country of Russia, seeing friends and family. But as the NY Post reported, he also spent time working with two top Russian goaltending coaches.

Igor Shesterkin is also set to have a new coach with the Rangers this season. His previous coach, Benoit Allaire, has moved on to a different position, serving as the Rangers’ goaltending director.

In his place, Jeff Malcolm has taken over the day-to-day matters related to the Rangers’ netminders. The familiarity between Sheskterkin and Allaire has made the transition somewhat challenging for Shesterkin.

Allaire is expected to continue attending practices and meetings with Malcolm and Shesterkin.

“I know he talks with the new goalie coach [Jeff Malcolm] every day,” Shesterkin said per the NY Post. “I think it was the same practices, everything is the same. Sometimes [Allaire] can come.”

Hopefully, the transition won’t be as challenging as expected, leading the Rangers star netminder to ease into game action this upcoming season.