Paul Bissonette urges New York Rangers to settle Igor Shesterkin contract extension before it's too late

Igor Shesterkin still has not signed a contract extension. As it stands, the New York Rangers have been unable to agree with the star goalie, setting him up for a potentially historic foray into free agency once his current deal ends.

Former hockey player Paul Bissonnette urged the Rangers to find any way possible to get the deal done before it's too late. If Shesterkin enters free agency, there will be a host of suitors that will either pry him away from New York or drive his price up. Neither is an ideal outcome for the Rangers.

Bissonnette said on the Spittin Chiclets podcast (31:30):

"His agent told the Rangers, they said, offer something now before the season starts. But once the season starts, we're not negotiating. Which, I think if they get to his number, that b******t, they'll accept it."

The former NHL LW continued:

"If I were the Rangers right before the season, after the eight times 11 was denied, I would have offered 100 grand more per year than what Panarin is making."

Bissonnette said that he would have made that move immediately since this summer's free agency will likely drive Shesterkin's yearly salary up to $12 or $12.5 million. The analyst also noted that the Rangers don't have an option other than to sign him, so they'd be better served to complete that now than later.

---

Elliotte Friedman discusses midseason Igor Shesterkin extension

Though the season is officially underway, Elliotte Friedman, one of the top NHL analysts, believes that negotiations between the New York Rangers and Igor Shesterkin will not stop.

Igor Shesterkin might sign in the middle of the season (Imagn)

In-season extensions aren't all that common, but the analyst said via Athlon Sports:

"The word is if the Rangers get to a number that he likes, they can still get it done in-season. I have heard many times that Shesterkin has positioned himself as the Rangers best player, most important player. I don’t think anybody would disagree with that."

The Rangers (2-0-1) have only played a handful of games so far, and they have a long season ahead of them. Part of that season may include the negotiation and signing of Shesterkin if they can agree on the price.