Friday, December 8th, 2023, unfolded as a whirlwind of activity for the New York Rangers, a day etched in franchise history for its dramatic sequence of events. The day began with the looming threat of captain Jacob Trouba being placed on waivers, a forceful tactic employed by General Manager Chris Drury to expedite a trade. It culminated with reports of goaltender Igor Shesterkin signing a record-breaking contract, securing his position as the highest-paid goalie in NHL history. Sandwiched between these monumental developments was a much-needed victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a 4-2 win at Madison Square Garden that offered a brief respite from the off-ice turmoil.
The trade involving Trouba, a player whose tenure with the Rangers was marked by both highs and lows, was finalized by mid-day. The Anaheim Ducks, a team languishing at the bottom of the Pacific Division standings, emerged as the trading partner. Anaheim, burdened by a six-year playoff drought and a sputtering rebuild, readily absorbed Trouba’s substantial $8 million cap hit for the current season and the 2025-26 season. The Ducks, flush with cap space and in dire need of veteran leadership, viewed Trouba as a potential stabilizing force for their young defensive corps. Trouba’s departure from New York brought to a close a chapter marked by internal conflict. The Rangers had been actively seeking to trade him since the off-season, when his full no-movement clause had transitioned into a 15-team no-trade clause. Reports suggested that Trouba had previously blocked a trade to the Detroit Red Wings, prioritizing his family’s stability over his career trajectory.
Trouba’s post-trade comments shed light on the personal dilemma he faced. He candidly admitted that he had been forced to choose between his career and his family, opting to prioritize the latter. His wife, a physician completing her residency in the New York area, played a significant role in his decision. Drafted ninth overall in 2012, Trouba brought a physical presence to the blue line, known for his impactful hits and ability to contribute offensively. His career peaked in Winnipeg during the 2018-19 season, where he tallied 50 points. He eventually landed in New York via a trade in 2019, with the Rangers surrendering Neal Pionk and a first-round pick. His time in New York saw him accumulate 136 points and 329 penalty minutes in 364 games. His captaincy, bestowed in August 2022, ultimately proved short-lived. This season witnessed a decline in his production and ice time, which he attributed to the uncertainty surrounding his future with the team.
The Rangers’ season, which began with a promising 12-4-1 record, took a downturn following reports that Drury had placed both Trouba and veteran forward Chris Kreider on the trade block. This news coincided with a five-game losing streak, raising concerns about the team’s direction and stability. Amidst this backdrop, the looming question of Shesterkin’s contract extension loomed large. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner sought a contract that would not only make him the highest-paid goalie in NHL history but also surpass the salary of teammate Artemi Panarin, the team’s highest-paid player. Reports emerged that Shesterkin had rejected an eight-year, $11 million per year offer prior to the season’s commencement, falling short of Panarin’s $11.64 million cap hit.
Drury’s desire to shed Trouba’s $8 million cap hit stemmed from the need to create sufficient cap space to accommodate Shesterkin’s contract demands, as well as upcoming extensions for restricted free agents K’Andre Miller and Alexis Lafreniere. Lafreniere’s seven-year, $7.45 million per year extension had already been secured, leaving Miller’s contract as the next priority. The Trouba trade, which returned defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round pick, freed up $6.9 million in cap space, providing Drury with much-needed financial flexibility. While a small sample size, Shesterkin’s subpar performance during a 10-game stretch in November and early December may have subtly influenced the negotiation dynamics. His save percentage dipped, and his goals-against average rose, potentially softening his stance.
While the Rangers didn’t officially announce Shesterkin’s extension on Friday, multiple reports indicated that the deal would carry an average annual value of $11.5 million over eight years. This figure secured Shesterkin’s position as the highest-paid goalie in NHL history, eclipsing Carey Price’s previous record. However, it fell just short of Panarin’s salary, a detail that had been a point of contention in the negotiations. The Rangers, despite the day’s tumultuous events, managed to secure a victory against the Penguins, demonstrating a resilience and focus that boded well for their future. However, the lingering question of Kreider’s status remained. Whether Trouba’s departure would suffice to remove Kreider from the trade block, or whether Drury had further roster changes in mind, remained to be seen. The Rangers, with two wins on their current five-game homestand, would face the Seattle Kraken and the Chicago Blackhawks in their upcoming games, providing further opportunities to assess the team’s trajectory in the wake of these significant changes.
