NHL Rumor Mill – October 9, 2024
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: reaction to Igor Shesterkin rejecting the Rangers’ contract offer, plus the latest on Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, the Leafs and Blue Jackets.
WHAT NEXT AFTER SHESTERKIN REJECTS RANGERS OFFER?
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reacted to yesterday’s report of Igor Shesterkin rejecting the New York Rangers’ contract extension offer of eight years at $11 million annually.
LeBrun indicated the Rangers’ season opener (Oct. 9) was considered an unofficial deadline as Shesterkin might not negotiate during the regular season. That puts some pressure on the Rangers to try and get a deal done before then. However, he stressed that this deadline isn’t 100 percent, pointing out that an agreement could still be reached during the season.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).
According to LeBrun, dialogue continues between Rangers management and the Shesterkin camp. What’s certain is he will become the NHL’s highest-paid goalie, whether it’s with the Rangers or somebody else, suggesting the average annual value will come in between $11 million and $12 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin reportedly seeks $12 million annually. That would make him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history.
LeBrun’s colleague Chris Johnston indicated Shesterkin might not insist on an eight-year contract. He wondered if the 28-year-old goalie would accept something a little shorter if the Rangers agreed to pay him $12 million.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports Shesterkin’s representatives believe they can get around $12 million annually or more on the open market. However, he wondered if the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner would want to leave a good team in New York that has a chance to win.
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports sources claim Shesterkin’s camp isn’t pleased that the offer to their client was leaked to the media.
Larry Brooks wonders if the Rangers were responsible for the leak, suggesting it would be “extremely disappointing” to create unnecessary controversy on the eve of their season opener.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Regardless of who leaked this offer, it’s clear the Rangers remain intent on signing Shesterkin and are willing to make him the league’s highest-paid goalie. The question now is whether the two sides can agree on the dollars.
A $1 million difference seems to exist between the two sides. It shouldn’t be too difficult to bridge that gap. Shesterkin could get more on the open market but that doesn’t mean he’ll join any club willing to pay it.
COULD OETTINGER BE SEEKING SWAYMAN MONEY?
TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes Jake Oettinger was probably paying close attention to Jeremy Swayman’s new contract with the Boston Bruins.
The 25-year-old Dallas Stars goalie is a restricted free agent on July 1. That would put him in the same position as Swayman before he signed an eight-year, $66-million deal with the Bruins on Monday.
LeBrun reports there’s been no meaningful contract talks yet between Oettinger and Stars management. He believes the goalie will prefer to wait until the end of this season but wouldn’t be surprised if Stars general manager Jim Nill tried to get this going during the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oettinger will get as much, if not more, than Swayman, especially if he backstops the Stars to the Stanley Cup. He’s helped them reach the Western Conference Final twice and played a key role in the Stars being among the top teams in the league.
UPDATES ON THE LEAFS AND BLUE JACKETS
TSN: LeBrun reports there have been contract discussions between the Toronto Maple Leafs and center John Tavares. He doesn’t think anything’s imminent but talks could pick up again later in the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tavares, 34, is slated to become a UFA next summer. He’s earning an AAV of $11 million on his current deal but won’t get anything close to that on his next deal. However, he seems keen to finish his career as a Leaf, something management could be willing to do for the right price.
LeBrun also recently tweeted that the Columbus Blue Jackets had been in trade talks with teams during training camp looking for help at forward. However, their recent signings of Kevin Labanc and Zach Aston-Reese should be it for them for now.
This Leafs team owes JT nothing. Nothing over 2 years and nothing more than 4.5. If you can get more somewhere else, go get it. His foot speed is gone and as a slow winger not sure what he is worth.
Oettinger will get more than Swayman, same percentage but of a new cap.
Shesterkin is truly baffling to me, I had heard he wants to be their highest paid player, that means a dollar more than Panarin at 11.62..wow…
Sam
He is their best player even though he is a goalie IMHO
MrBruin- thats fair- I just dont share the belief that he is the best goalie in the league, I know its not a popular one. I know save percentage isnt the only metric to be used but its a big one- he is among the best the that last couple years- but by no means has he been the best… Will be interesting negotiation, I did feel someone would give Swayman 8 or 9 based on performance and age, I dont feel anyone is signing Shesterkin to a 12 mill deal if he became a UFA
If the goalie is the best player then there is something wrong with the way the team is built.
Worked for the devils for awhile. Scotty was great but Marty was the best
In the time where goal scoring was at it’s all time lowest and Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer on their blue line.
The years where Jager lead the NHL with a whopping 32 goals and 70 points (1994/95) and 42 goals and 96 points (1999/2000). LOL
And there can be no doubt that Price, in his final hurrah, was the reason Montreal went to the finals a few seasons back. And Roy was arguably their best in 1993 … and later in Colorado when they won the cup.
1995/96 Avalanche. Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg were two of the top 5 in points that season and Sakic was 6th in goals. Adam Foote on defence was no slouch either.
2000/01 Avalanche Sakic finished in second goals and points and Rob Blake finished in third for the Norris. Forsberg also had a strong season.
The 2020/21 NHL season was an anomaly, and it can be argued that Price wasn’t the Canadians best player during the regular season (.901 s%) and just got hot during the playoffs.
1993 Roy was a rookie. Your talking about a team with Vincent Damphousse, Kirk Muller Denis Savard, and Eric Desjardins and Patrice Brisebois on defence. Oh and also a guy named Guy Carbonneau.
But it didn’t hurt to have a goalie who won 16 games with 3 SO, a 2.10gaa and 0.921 save %
True, but you are also talking about a time where there wasn’t a salary cap. 😉
And there’s the fly in the ointment for sure!
$12M x 7 if that is true.
But $11.25 x 8 is a lot more moola!
Myself, I would like to see him sign a $12M x 6, he would be 35 at the end of this shorter contract, his age should be a big concern by then.
Leafs should let Tavares walk. His time has come and gone. It’s a young mans game. Look for a better 2nd Line Center and possibly a 3rd Line Center as well, who is cheaper, younger and faster.
Binny you missed the most important aspect. Being cheaper faster and younger is nice, but apparently being better isn`t a quality you desire. Glad you and Sam will never be a GM in the NHL
And you think anyone like that is going to be relinquished by the team that has them without a huge return?
And I should add, Binny B, that Tavares is still putting up good numbers. No, he won’t command anywhere near $11 mil any more … but f the Leafs “let him walk” (for nothing) you can bet there’s a contending team out there that will snap him up at something closer to $5.5 mil for a couple of seasons
JT had 65 pts in 80 games. Tied for 40th in scoring for C’s in the NHL with Roope Hintz, who also played 80 . There are 32 teams in the NHL. Production wise, he is a 2C all day. 59% on the dot as well.
JT has never been a speed demon, and his offensive game has always been inside the O-zone vs off the rush. He still has those skills, the speed hurts him defensively IMO as C’s need to skate more all over the ice. Seems like a pretty darn good winger to have on your team who can take big draws when required. I’m guessing that is why Berube wanted to try Nylander at C as well.
I think the Leafs have a good year whether JT plays C or W, and that’s coming from a B’s fan. Berube gets them going IMO, and Tanev will help as well, if he can stay healthy.
That and goaltending is a bit of a question.
I agree Sam. If anything, JT owes the Leafs money for his declining production and lackluster playoff performance,
Ullmark just signs identical 8.25 contract as Swayman , except on a 4 year term …
Swayman to Ullmark – U R worth it “buddy” – but don’t ask for more than me …
George should be happy on the Spector seat !
Ken, I think Staios got Ullmark on a great deal. He’s 31 now and when the contract ends he’ll be turning 35.
At that point, if the team is – as expected – a top competitor and he, personally, is still putting up good numbers, they will likely extend him for perhaps 3 years at whatever cost his position and abilities will be demanding at that time.
If anything makes me “happy” about the deal, as I say in the other thread, it’s seeing an end to the repeated, smug assertions from Sr that Ullmark would be leaving town at the first opportunity – whether to NYR or back to Boston or wherever.
For me is getting Ullmark to sign a 4 year contract was the story. That`ll go a ways to boosting team confidence
You got it. That was the best part of the deal.
Ironic that Ullmark and Swayman go the same price! George O,I hear that Giroux will be moved at the deadline by the Sens if they look like they will not be playoff bound!
lol….oh george you had to know SR would swoop in with the last word. I’m surprised it wasn’t a Tkachuk will demand a trade or some nonsense.
My guess is that this deal was presented to Staois by Ullmark’s camp. And that the longer they waited the more it was gonna cost. UNLESS he poops the bed right out of the gate. Unlikely but the team better come out on fire.
Dark G – LOL … yeah … a leopard can’t change its spots … and now that the wind has been taken out of the Ullmark sail (and, of course, not a word on that), he’s switching to bringing up “rumours” probably based upon one of the loud blogs that permeate YouTube. If any such site is blowing the Giroux “rumour” it most likely stems from either one of those Reddit fan forums or the posted results – in the Ottawa Sun – of a fan straw poll they conducted a couple of weeks ago on various aspects of the team, with Question 12 asking “If the team wanted a major roster shakeup during the season, who would be the most likely player to get dealt?” to which the responses were Thomas Chabot – 42.23% (166 votes); Josh Norris – 42.19% (162 votes); Claude Giroux – 9.9% (38 votes)’ Brady Tkachuk – 4.68% (18 votes).
For a team that, at the gate, can draw crowds upwards of 18,000, that’s a total of 384 fan responses or 2.1% of just 18,000.
Best bet from now on is to simply ignore him. Let him troll to his heart’s content.
JT will accept whatever the Leafs offer.
At this stage of his career do you want to uproot family and move to a new team ? He has made his dough and is now a third line C with some finish. Don’t let the contract get in the way at the end of a nice career
Agree .. right along the lines of my post above. His current contract wasn’t his fault … I’m sure he didn’t twist someone’s arm to get them to extend that offer.
SR,
Giroux is from Ottawa area, he loves it there has family close bye………….I heard he wants to stay and re-sign for an other year…..⁉️
I guess he has no Stanley Cup aspirations ! Going home to start his retirement!!
williew, experience has shown if you ignore the “stir-it-up” twits they soon just fade away like gossamer in a stiff breeze..
Leafs should let JT go and try to bring back Kadri.
Good deal for the Sens, not the money so much but the term is very good.
As I mentioned last I would be surprised of his influence doesn’t help Forsberg improve.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Sens made the playoffs and Bruins fall out.
PaJaDa
Leafs/Dubas should never have signed Tavares and never have traded Kadri to the Av’s for Kerfoot and Barrie.
Signing a 2nd line center for $11 million then trading your 2nd line, $4.5 million center, Kadri, was bound to go wrong.
Dubas made enough mistakes to write a book about.