In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: reaction to Igor Shesterkin rejecting the Rangers’ contract offer, plus the latest on Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, the Leafs and Blue Jackets.
WHAT NEXT AFTER SHESTERKIN REJECTS RANGERS OFFER?
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reacted to yesterday’s report of Igor Shesterkin rejecting the New York Rangers’ contract extension offer of eight years at $11 million annually.
LeBrun indicated the Rangers’ season opener (Oct. 9) was considered an unofficial deadline as Shesterkin might not negotiate during the regular season. That puts some pressure on the Rangers to try and get a deal done before then. However, he stressed that this deadline isn’t 100 percent, pointing out that an agreement could still be reached during the season.
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).
According to LeBrun, dialogue continues between Rangers management and the Shesterkin camp. What’s certain is he will become the NHL’s highest-paid goalie, whether it’s with the Rangers or somebody else, suggesting the average annual value will come in between $11 million and $12 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin reportedly seeks $12 million annually. That would make him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history.
LeBrun’s colleague Chris Johnston indicated Shesterkin might not insist on an eight-year contract. He wondered if the 28-year-old goalie would accept something a little shorter if the Rangers agreed to pay him $12 million.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports Shesterkin’s representatives believe they can get around $12 million annually or more on the open market. However, he wondered if the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner would want to leave a good team in New York that has a chance to win.
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports sources claim Shesterkin’s camp isn’t pleased that the offer to their client was leaked to the media.
Larry Brooks wonders if the Rangers were responsible for the leak, suggesting it would be “extremely disappointing” to create unnecessary controversy on the eve of their season opener.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Regardless of who leaked this offer, it’s clear the Rangers remain intent on signing Shesterkin and are willing to make him the league’s highest-paid goalie. The question now is whether the two sides can agree on the dollars.
A $1 million difference seems to exist between the two sides. It shouldn’t be too difficult to bridge that gap. Shesterkin could get more on the open market but that doesn’t mean he’ll join any club willing to pay it.
COULD OETTINGER BE SEEKING SWAYMAN MONEY?
TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes Jake Oettinger was probably paying close attention to Jeremy Swayman’s new contract with the Boston Bruins.
The 25-year-old Dallas Stars goalie is a restricted free agent on July 1. That would put him in the same position as Swayman before he signed an eight-year, $66-million deal with the Bruins on Monday.
LeBrun reports there’s been no meaningful contract talks yet between Oettinger and Stars management. He believes the goalie will prefer to wait until the end of this season but wouldn’t be surprised if Stars general manager Jim Nill tried to get this going during the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oettinger will get as much, if not more, than Swayman, especially if he backstops the Stars to the Stanley Cup. He’s helped them reach the Western Conference Final twice and played a key role in the Stars being among the top teams in the league.
UPDATES ON THE LEAFS AND BLUE JACKETS
TSN: LeBrun reports there have been contract discussions between the Toronto Maple Leafs and center John Tavares. He doesn’t think anything’s imminent but talks could pick up again later in the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tavares, 34, is slated to become a UFA next summer. He’s earning an AAV of $11 million on his current deal but won’t get anything close to that on his next deal. However, he seems keen to finish his career as a Leaf, something management could be willing to do for the right price.
LeBrun also recently tweeted that the Columbus Blue Jackets had been in trade talks with teams during training camp looking for help at forward. However, their recent signings of Kevin Labanc and Zach Aston-Reese should be it for them for now.