NHL Rumor Mill – October 26, 2024
What’s the latest on Igor Shesterkin? Could the Canadiens trade Arber Xhekaj? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON SHESTERKIN
RG.ORG: Jim Biringer believes New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin’s value keeps rising every time he takes to the ice. He cites a source suggesting the 28-year-old former Vezina Trophy winner will get whatever he wants on his next contract, perhaps as much as $12.5 million.
Shesterkin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July and intends to become the NHL’s highest-paid goalie. He reportedly rejected an eight-year, $88-million offer by the Rangers.
It’s believed Shesterkin seeks 13 to 15 percent of the Rangers’ salary cap, putting him in line with other top NHL stars.
Biringer’s source believes if Shesterkin gets $12 million annually with the cap rising next season to $92 million, it’ll be in the same range as when Henrik Lundqvist signed his contract with the Rangers for $8.5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lundqvist signed that contract extension in December 2013 effective July 1, 2014. The salary cap for 2014-15 (the first season of his deal) was $69 million, meaning he earned 12.4 percent of the Rangers’ cap for that season.
The Rangers’ reported offer of $11 million to Shesterkin is roughly 12 percent of the projected $92 million cap for 2025-26. Suppose he’s asking for $12 million, that’s shy of 13 percent. $12.5 million would be just over $13.6 percent.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj (NHL Images).
Starting next season, Shesterkin will be the NHL’s highest-paid goaltender at his price. He’ll get it from the Rangers or another team via free agency.
COULD THE CANADIENS TRADE XHEKAJ?
TVA SPORTS: On Oct. 22, Jean-Charles Lajoie speculated Arber Xhekaj might not fit into the Montreal Canadiens’ medium-term plans.
Following a poor start to this season, the popular 23-year-old defenseman was a healthy scratch for the Habs’ last two games. Lajoie suggested the rugged rearguard could become the odd man out on their blueline given the promising youngsters within their system.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan observed Xhekaj is on a short leash with head coach Martin St. Louis, who expects more consistency and alertness from the big defenseman.
Cowan cited former Canadien Georges Laraque saying he wouldn’t be surprised if the Habs traded Xhekaj. “There are teams interested in his services and if they get him he won’t be coming out of the lineup like he does in Montreal,” said Laraque.
According to Cowan, the Ottawa Senators would be among the clubs interested in Xhekaj if he becomes available in the trade market. Senators owner Michael Andlauer loved the rugged blueliner after he helped lead the Hamilton Bulldogs to the 2022 OHL championship. Andlauer still owns the Bulldogs, who moved to Brantford last season.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont believes trading Xhekaj would make the Canadiens worse, citing his solid underlying number, the emotion he brings to the game and his willingness to defend his teammates.
Nevertheless, Dumont believes Xhekaj would fetch a solid asset for the Canadiens. Like Laraque, he thinks many clubs around the league would be interested in him and give him a permanent roster spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ disappointing 2-4-1 record is largely behind the Xhekaj speculation. It took off after TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Thursday that his sources claim Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is calling around in search of a top-four, right-shot defenseman.
LeBrun never mentioned Xhekaj in his report. He also indicated that nothing’s imminent and Hughes is conducting due diligence. He also pointed out that there’s not much happening in the trade market this early in the season.
The Canadiens love those qualities Dumont alluded to about Xhekaj. However, they want him to play a more disciplined game instead of taking costly penalties. As St. Louis said, he’s not a rookie anymore. He’s in his third season and they want to see improvement in his play.
Hughes could be laying the groundwork for a trade later in the season. Xhekaj could be a trade candidate if he fails to improve.
It’s worth remembering that Hughes doesn’t make quick, panicky deals. If he moves Xhekaj, he’ll wait until he gets what he wants. For now, it’s talk that could fade away if Xhekaj improves. It’s also Montreal, where nervous fans have long memories of little-used players getting traded for peanuts and going on to become stars with other teams.
No way in Hell does Hughes trade Xhekaj to Ottawa.
George, any report that says Stu Cowan quotes Georges Laraque is the same as saying Elmer Fudd quotes Daffy Duck. Cowan has limited journalistic abilities and Laraque’s credibility can be assessed by remembering the Habs released him mid season.
Bob Gainey no less said of Laraque at the time: “We felt our goals were more achievable to continue without him as part of the group.” Ouch.
As for Xhekaj himself, yes, he needs to improve. But I expect a comment from St Louis to that effect is true in itself, but a reflection of his dissatisfaction of the team as a whole. True that most of the Habs D is not old enough to shave yet, but the forwards and the goalies have much to atone for.
LJ is that the same Laroque that trained Remke of the Rangers! He did such a good job the Rangers just sent him down to the AHL to work on his hockey skills!Enforcers need the ability to play a little bit outside their fighting skills! Ask the TML about Reaves!
That is true, Sr, but one of the things I like about Xhekaj is his desire to be an every day NHLer, not just a goon. I’m pulling for the kid, and I hope that Rempe realizes the limits of being a one dimensional thug.
The kid has all the attributes of a becoming solid, everyday D-man – skating, size, physicality (which he needs to learn to control), and a helluva heavy shot. Which is why I say above that there’s no way Hughes deals him to a divisional rival – IF they even trade him, Which I doubt.
How much value would a Dman have if he can’t stick in the lineup of a bad rebuilding team? The only reason to trade him would be to swap him for a guy that can play now to a team that doesn’t need him to play on their team.
I’m not suggesting this but something like Lily from he Leafs who can play now and help the Habs and is still young and the Leafs who won’t need Xhekaj for another year or so. Otherwise they might be best to hold on to him if he’s going to be a factor for the Habs in the near future. Its Montreal after all, they won’t tolerate being at the bottom of the standings much longer.
George O ,those guys are at a premium! You need big,tough,skilled defensemen! I haven’t seen him play much but I trust your evaluations! I hope his injury history with shoulder problems does not continue!
Shesterkan and Scheinder for Stuart skinner and Bouchard.
For Edmonton to win with the team they have they need above average goaltending. Shesterkan will provide that. I think the Rangers are good enough and can win with Average goaltending.
?????
I think the Rangers can remain competitive with league average goaltending too Jeff, but how on earth is this a remotely sensible trade for the Oil? Skinner is a good goalie, they would miss Bouchard on D, and lose Shesterkin after this season – or give up McDavid in order to afford to keep him.
Or did I fall for the bait and you’re having us on?
No bait. Oilers are going to have to pay a boat load for Bouchard. Why do that when your defence is average with him plus you have Nurse on a ridiculous cap value already. Skinner is a good goalie but you have to give up something good to get something good back.
Jeff,
The Oilers Need a whole New 2nd paring….
Nurse droped the gloves last night, good to see he got in the game at last…..
Paul Coffey is working with him to improve his game he was good then lost his confidence
however if he turns it around they should still trade him befor the Deadline…..🤔