The New York Rangers are in talks to sign a goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin While most signs point to the deal going through, the wait is making fans impatient for the star to put pen to paper. Defender Zac Jones sent a clear message to the front office on this issue, amid discussions about whether the contract is reasonable.

The Rangers started the NHL season with an 8-2-1 record. Although the Blueshirts are among the top tier of the Metropolitan division, some issues surrounding their play are worrying fans and staff within the Manhattan organization.

One of the top priorities is to renew 2022 Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin. The 28-year-old goaltender is entering the final year of a four-year, $22.7 million contract. The Russian has become one of the best netminders in the league and is asking for a contract that strongly reflects that status. Earlier this season he turned down an eight-year, $88 million deal. It would have been the biggest contract for a goalkeeper in history, but apparently it wasn’t enough.

The Rangers are coming off a 2023-24 Playoffs run in which Shesterkin played a crucial role for the team reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Although they ultimately fell short, not a single fan in the Big Apple had anything to complain about Igor’s play. The players know how important their goalkeeper is to their successand defenseman Zac Jones recently spoke out on the issue, sending a strong message to the front office.

Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers looks on against the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 26, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.

“Pay the man. He is without a doubt the best goalkeeper,” Jones told reporters. “There is no one as good as Igor Shesterkin.“

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The message, although said in a humorous way, is: wake-up call for Rangers President and General Manager, Chris Drury. The players are backing Shesterkin’s claim to the most lucrative goalie contract in NHL history.

Shesterkin’s contract year figures

Despite ongoing contract negotiations, Shesterkin hasn’t slowed down his amazing achievements. The goalkeeper maintains the top level of recent seasons.

During the first games of the season Igor posts a record of 6-2-1 with a 2.22 average goals against per game. Shesterkin has one savings rate of .933which puts him alone in second place in the league, behind Frederik Andersen.