PITTSBURGH — It can’t be this easy, can it? The Rangers opened their 2024-25 season Wednesday night in nearly perfect fashion, getting goals from all four lines, and another ho-hum brilliant performance in goal from Igor Shesterkin as they dominated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-0, at PPG Paints Arena. Chris Kreider had two goals – one shorthanded – and newcomer Sam Carrick, Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil and Pittsburgh native Vincent Trocheck also scored for the Rangers and Shesterkin made 29 saves to earn the 16th shutout of his career. The Rangers play next on Saturday at Madison Square Garden as they host the Utah Hockey Club.
Shesterkin turned in a classic performance a day after ESPN analyst Kevin Weekes reported the goaltender had rejected a contract offer from the Rangers that would have paid him $88 million over eight years, which would have made him the highest paid goaltender in NHL history. Reportedly, Shesterkin, who is currently earning $5.67 million in the final year of his existing contract, is seeking to get a $12 million average salary in his next deal.
That would make him the highest-paid Ranger, surpassing Artemi Panarin’s $11.642 million AAV. At the Rangers morning skate Wednesday, coach Peter Laviolette was asked if he worried whether Shesterkin — whose representatives have reportedly told the Rangers they would not negotiate after the season began — might be distracted by his contract status.
“I think Igor is focused on hockey,’’ Lavio.
