Igor Shesterkin rejects New York Rangers' record breaking NHL contract: Surpassing Carey Price

To prevent their star goalie from entering the unrestricted free agent market the following season, the Rangers will need to pay a historically high sum. Igor Shesterkin has turned down a $88 million eight-year contract extension offer from the Blueshirts, according to Kevin Weekes of ESPN. He would have become the highest-paid goalie in NHL history as a result of the deal.

The proposed agreement would have cost an average of $11 million annually. Had he consented, he would have become the highest-paid goalie in NHL history. Shesterkin's expectations were much higher, so it was insufficient, and talks to find a middle ground are still ongoing.

Shesterkin is not only the most well-known goalie expected to be eligible for free agency in the summer of 2020, but he will also be the most well-known goalie to become a UFA during the salary cap era.

However, the player's desire to stay in New York is evident. They've been in contract negotiations since at least August, but according to a June report by Mollie Walker of the New York Post, Shesterkin was probably hoping for an eight-year extension that would come with a $12MM price tag per season.

Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers are still negotiating a contract, and the team is expected to improve on the last, unsatisfactory offer. It's just a matter of time until both parties sign a record deal, though, given how crucial Shesterkin is to the team and his reputation as one of the best goalies in the world.

So far, all indications point to the Rangers' willingness to offer Shesterkin the highest-paid goalie contract ever, surpassing even Carey Price's eight-year, $84MM deal with the Canadiens.