Igor Shesterkin addresses impending Rangers extension with $22.67M contract expiring / Picture credit: IMAGN

New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin will enter the final year of his four-year $22.67 million contract this season. However, he doesn’t seem to be worried about the prospect of hitting free agency during the next offseason.

In a recent interview with RG.org, Shesterkin confirmed that his agent is engaged in contract negotiations with the Rangers.

“My agent, Maxim Moliver, is talking to the general manager,” he said.”I can’t say anything else. For me, the most important thing now is preparing for the season and being 100% ready mentally and physically.”

The statement should sound reassuring to Rangers fans as the prospect of losing one of the world’s best goalies can be daunting. With training camp just around the corner, Shesterkin’s mind is focused on being ready for another grueling season.

Shesterkin concluded the talk on his contract negotiation by saying:

“An exciting season is ahead, and the agent will discuss the contract.”

After capturing the Presidents’ Trophy last season, fans were disappointed when the team was unable to get past the Florida Panthers in a thrilling six game Eastern Conference Final series. But with Shesterkin back in full force for this upcoming season, the Rangers have as good a shot as any club in the NHL to bring home the Stanley Cup.

Igor Shesterkin preparing in Russia for the upcoming NHL season

Shesterkin has spent the summer in his hometown in Russia, visiting friends and family, while preparing for the upcoming NHL season.

According to RG.org, Shesterkin trained in Yaroslavl and spent time with one of Russia’s best goaltending coaches: Rashit Davydov.

“I’m going through a two-week training cycle in Yaroslavl. Lokomotiv has exhibition games in mid-August, and the team is training in its hometown, so I was able to come,” Shesterkin shared.

He also confirmed that he would be training in Moscow for another chunk of the offseason.

“For the rest of the time, I train in Moscow with another coach, Vsevolod Kondrashov. I’m flying to America at the end of August to properly acclimatize and calmly prepare for the new season.”

Shesterkin’s return to America signals the beginning of a new season for the goalie and his Rangers teammates. There is no question that Shesterkin’s focus on offseason training and conditioning will be pivotal in his overall success between the pipes.

As such, Shesterkin will be in mid-season form as the Rangers hit the ice for the first time this season. The team can hope that the extra training will translate into another elite-level season—perhaps culminating in a Vezina Trophy and, most importantly, a Stanley Cup.