Igor Shestyorkin Is The Future Of The New York Rangers
For about as long as I can remember, Henrik Lundqvist has been the goalie of the New York Rangers. For almost 15 years now the King has held down the cage at MSG for the Rangers. But with the Rangers finishing towards the bottom of the NHL this season, it’s time to start looking forward and to the future and that starts and ends with Russian goalie Igor Shestyorkin.
Shestyorkin made headlines with a diving stick save in the KHL playoffs. The 23-year-old was drafted in the 4th round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and is slated to take over once the King’s reign has come to an end. Shestyorkin has spent the last six seasons with St. Petersburg SKA of the KHL (also known as Vladdy Putin’s team). You think Vladdy is going to let a prospect like Igor Shestyorkin play anywhere other than SKA? Good joke.
Shestyorkin KHL contract expires on April 30th, but there are reports that the Rangers have not negotiated with the 23-year-old or his team in Russia to bring him over.
It appears the Rangers will roll with their original plan they had in place and will bring the Czar over to start learning from the King after this KHL season, but who knows with the KHL and all the other factors in place.
Also, Henrik Lundqvist is still a very good goalie and doesn’t want to leave New York any time soon. I think I speak for everyone when I say I’d love to see Hank on a contender next season and the Rangers won’t be that any time soon. But it all relies on what Henrik wants to do. He has a NMC and doesn’t need to be traded if he doesn’t want too.
I think a scenario that could play out is the Rangers trade Hank to a contender this summer and have some money available to sign whoever they want (Panarin) as well as they’d be able to give the young, cheap Russian a shot at the #1 spot.
I’m not advocating for the Rangers to trade Henrik Lundqvist though, Hall of Fame goalies don’t grow on trees. I’m just saying….the world deserves to see that gorgeous motherfucker raise the cup.