LA Kings reportedly eyeing trade for Vezina-winning All-Star goaltender
A new report has linked the Los Angeles Kings to superstar goalie Igor Shesterkin in a blockbuster trade.
Igor Shesterkin and the New York Rangers are still not in agreement on a contract extension. At the moment Igor Shesterkin is set to be a free agent after the 2024-25 season. With no extension signed reports have begun that other teams are exploring trading for Igor Shesterkin and trying to sign him to an extension themselves.
Today a new report has come out from a source named Eklund. According to his sources from around the NHL, the Los Angeles Kings are one of the teams looking to take a run at landing Igor Shesterkin. The Kings are willing to offer a massive trade package and a lucrative 8-year extension to Igor Shesterkin.
The Los Angeles Kings under GM Rob Blake have continually tried to stay in the Stanley Cup contender race. Over the last couple of seasons, their goaltending play has let them down from being a true contender. Current goaltender Darcy Kuemper is a good goaltender but likely not Stanley Cup caliber.
Kuemper throughout his career has mostly been a backup goalie in the NHL. His best season was starting for the Colorado Avalanche where he had a 0.921 save percentage in 57 games started. If Rob Blake believes the Los Angeles Kings are just a goaltender away from competing Igor Shesterkin could be worth the gamble.
Even if the Los Angeles Kings are serious about their pursuit of Igor Shesterkin it takes two to make a deal. Would the New York Rangers even consider trading Igor Shesterkin?
Should the New York Rangers consider trading Igor Shesterkin?
The New York Rangers and Igor Shesterkin are currently in contract negotiations. Reports in recent days have put the salary cap number for Igor Shesterkin to sign around $12.5 million. This would break records and make Igor Shesterkin the highest-paid goaltender in the history of the NHL.
To this point, reports have revealed that Igor Shesterkin has already turned down contract offers throughout the season. The most recent would've made Shesterkin the highest paid goalie in the NHL.
The Rangers will need to consider if Igor Shesterkin is worthy of being the highest-paid goalie in the history of the NHL. Since coming to the NHL Igor Shesterkin has been incredibly consistent with a save percentage between 0.913 and 0916 in 3 of his 4 NHL seasons. In the other season, Igor Shesterkin had his career-best year. During that season Igor Shesterkin came away with a 2.07 goals against average and a 0.935 save percentage and won the Vezina Trophy.
A save percentage in the 0.910s puts Igor Shesterkin in the upper tier of goaltenders in the NHL. Having peaks of near 0.940 is unheard of in the modern NHL. At the moment the New York Rangers are Stanley Cup favorites due to Igor Shesterkin's excellence. If they allow him to leave especially for nothing it would be a major problem.
If the New York Rangers do not think they can get a deal done with Igor Shesterkin then a trade has to be the next option. The Rangers should be willing to pay whatever it takes. If they don't Igor Shesterkin could find himself on a new team by the trade deadline.
