The New York Rangers may have no other option than to sign Him, as they could be vulnerable without him in net.
After news broke that He’s set a deadline for the New York Rangers to negotiate a new contract before the season starts, Adam Herman from Bleacher Report analyzed the organization’s predicament: they can’t afford His potential demands, but at the same time, they can’t afford not to meet them.
The Rangers have little bargaining power, as He is widely regarded as one of the NHL’s best goaltenders, and many teams would eagerly offer him a substantial deal. The bigger problem for the Rangers is that they struggle significantly without him.
Herman points out that while some teams have managed to win the Stanley Cup without elite goaltending, the Rangers’ entire strategy revolves around His exceptional play. Their system, which often allows opponents to control the puck in their defensive zone for long stretches, only works because of His ability to handle pressure other goalies might not. Without him, their game plan falls apart.
Can the Rangers Afford to Let Him Sign Elsewhere?
Herman suggests that if the Rangers choose not to offer Shesterkin a salary exceeding $11 million per year, they will be compelled to restructure the team. Despite having promising young players, their chances of competing for the Stanley Cup would vanish without Shesterkin.
Currently, the Rangers rank near the bottom of the league in even-strength scoring chance ratios, indicating a heavy dependence on their star goalie to cover up their weaknesses. Any other goalie would likely expose the team.
In the end, the Rangers might have no choice but to offer Shesterkin a contract, even if it means making difficult roster changes. They would secure the best goalie in the world, but at the cost of having to move other players.
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