Red Wings Coach Jokes About Igor Shesterkin's Contract Dilemma With Rangers

After Igor Shesterkin put up a 31-save performance against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde had nothing but positive things to say about the superstar goalie.

Lalonde was so impressed by Shesterkin’s performance that he even decided to weigh in on the 28-year-old’s current contract situation with the New York Rangers.

“He’s special,” Lalonde said after the game, via NHL.com's Dan Rosen . “I can see why he turned down the 88 (million dollars). Good agent.”

Shesterkin has had an excellent start to the 2024-25 season as he’s recorded a 2.29 goals against average and .921 save percentage.

According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, Shesterkin turned down an eight-year $88 million contract that would have paid him $11 million per season, making him the highest paid goalie in NHL history.

He is not just aiming to become the highest paid goalie, but he also reportedly wants to earn the highest salary on the Rangers.

"[Panarin's] cap hit is slightly above $11.64 million,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said. “I believe Shesterkin’s representatives (the agent is Rick Komarow) have a simple argument: Igor is your best player, he should be compensated as such. The highest-paid AAV ever for a goalie is Carey Price, at $10.5M. The Rangers have made it very clear: we will beat that."

It seems that Shesterkin is betting on himself and so far it’s working out well given his level of play.