Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers' prized goalkeeping prospect, refuted rumours that he will leave AHL's Hartford Wolfpack and follow Vitali Kravtsov back to the KHL.
Shesterkin is patiently waiting his turn, knowing that Henrik Lundqvist has two seasons left on his contract and backup Alexandar Georgiev is an RFA after this season, and is likely to be traded at the deadline, much like Cam Talbot was dealt in 2015.
Alexey Shevchenko of Sport Express, who had just interviewed the departing Kravtsov, had seen rumblings on various sites and fan blogs that Shesterkin was considering the move and spoke to him about it.
"I do have an out clause in my contract, but I have no intention of exercising it," said the 23-year-old keeper. Even before coming to the Rangers training camp, Shesterkin said that he was planning on staying and working through any difficulties.
Selected by the Rangers in the 4th round of 2014 NHL Draft, Shesterkin stayed in Russia and moved up the ranks, eventually turning into arguably the KHL's best keeper. In his last season in Russia, playing for SKA St. Petersburg, he led the league in GAA (1.11) and SV% (.953)
During his appearances in the preseason, many noted that Shesterkin would need time to adjust to the smaller NHL ice surface, and he seems to have caught on well in Hartford. Four wins in four starts, including a shutout, and now a renewed verbal commitment to the organization should calm the minds of Rangers fans who have looked to him as the goalie of the future.
Source: Sport-express.ru
