What’s the latest on Igor Shesterkin? Could the Canadiens trade Arber Xhekaj? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON SHESTERKIN
RG.ORG: Jim Biringer believes New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin’s value keeps rising every time he takes to the ice. He cites a source suggesting the 28-year-old former Vezina Trophy winner will get whatever he wants on his next contract, perhaps as much as $12.5 million.
Shesterkin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July and intends to become the NHL’s highest-paid goalie. He reportedly rejected an eight-year, $88-million offer by the Rangers.
It’s believed Shesterkin seeks 13 to 15 percent of the Rangers’ salary cap, putting him in line with other top NHL stars.
Biringer’s source believes if Shesterkin gets $12 million annually with the cap rising next season to $92 million, it’ll be in the same range as when Henrik Lundqvist signed his contract with the Rangers for $8.5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lundqvist signed that contract extension in December 2013 effective July 1, 2014. The salary cap for 2014-15 (the first season of his deal) was $69 million, meaning he earned 12.4 percent of the Rangers’ cap for that season.
The Rangers’ reported offer of $11 million to Shesterkin is roughly 12 percent of the projected $92 million cap for 2025-26. Suppose he’s asking for $12 million, that’s shy of 13 percent. $12.5 million would be just over $13.6 percent.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj (NHL Images).
Starting next season, Shesterkin will be the NHL’s highest-paid goaltender at his price. He’ll get it from the Rangers or another team via free agency.
COULD THE CANADIENS TRADE XHEKAJ?
TVA SPORTS: On Oct. 22, Jean-Charles Lajoie speculated Arber Xhekaj might not fit into the Montreal Canadiens’ medium-term plans.
Following a poor start to this season, the popular 23-year-old defenseman was a healthy scratch for the Habs’ last two games. Lajoie suggested the rugged rearguard could become the odd man out on their blueline given the promising youngsters within their system.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan observed Xhekaj is on a short leash with head coach Martin St. Louis, who expects more consistency and alertness from the big defenseman.
Cowan cited former Canadien Georges Laraque saying he wouldn’t be surprised if the Habs traded Xhekaj. “There are teams interested in his services and if they get him he won’t be coming out of the lineup like he does in Montreal,” said Laraque.
According to Cowan, the Ottawa Senators would be among the clubs interested in Xhekaj if he becomes available in the trade market. Senators owner Michael Andlauer loved the rugged blueliner after he helped lead the Hamilton Bulldogs to the 2022 OHL championship. Andlauer still owns the Bulldogs, who moved to Brantford last season.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont believes trading Xhekaj would make the Canadiens worse, citing his solid underlying number, the emotion he brings to the game and his willingness to defend his teammates.
Nevertheless, Dumont believes Xhekaj would fetch a solid asset for the Canadiens. Like Laraque, he thinks many clubs around the league would be interested in him and give him a permanent roster spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ disappointing 2-4-1 record is largely behind the Xhekaj speculation. It took off after TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Thursday that his sources claim Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is calling around in search of a top-four, right-shot defenseman.
LeBrun never mentioned Xhekaj in his report. He also indicated that nothing’s imminent and Hughes is conducting due diligence. He also pointed out that there’s not much happening in the trade market this early in the season.
The Canadiens love those qualities Dumont alluded to about Xhekaj. However, they want him to play a more disciplined game instead of taking costly penalties. As St. Louis said, he’s not a rookie anymore. He’s in his third season and they want to see improvement in his play.
Hughes could be laying the groundwork for a trade later in the season. Xhekaj could be a trade candidate if he fails to improve.
It’s worth remembering that Hughes doesn’t make quick, panicky deals. If he moves Xhekaj, he’ll wait until he gets what he wants. For now, it’s talk that could fade away if Xhekaj improves. It’s also Montreal, where nervous fans have long memories of little-used players getting traded for peanuts and going on to become stars with other teams.