The Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers are both try to negotiate massive long-term contract extensions for their superstar players. With the season underway for almost a month, the league has already seen several huge contracts signed that could lead the way. Shea Theodore has extended his contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. The Rangers have already completed negotiations with star winger Alexis Lafrenière. The Dallas Stars have signed their elite goalie Jake Oettinger to a contract that makes him one of the highest paid at his position.

This could give the Rangers and Avalanche hope that their remaining contract extensions will work themselves out. The Rangers have the NHL’s best goaltender, Igor Shesterkin, whose contract is expiring and the Avalanche have elite winger Mikko Rantanen looking to get paid. Both players were rumor has it he will sign extensions since the start of last offseason, but nothing has materialized yet. With so many contracts already finalized, the question arises which superstar will sign their extension next?

Avalanche fans might say this is their star player, but the outlook isn’t very bright at this point in the negotiations. Recent reports indicate that Rantanen’s camp and Colorado stay away in contractual negotiations.

This chasm likely exists because the Avalanche aren’t willing to give Rantanen the same salary as their best player Nathan MacKinnon, who makes $12.6 million per year. But not only that, Colorado could think even further with defender Cale Makar, who currently earns $9 million per year. When Makar’s contract expires in 2027, he will likely sign the richest contract a defenseman has ever signed in the NHL. This might not leave enough room for Rantanen to get the contract he deserves or would be willing to sign.

That leaves only one option: the Rangers goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin. The negotiation process was arduous for both parties. Shesterkin not only wants to sign the richest contract never signed by a goalie, he wants his salary to be a proportional percentage of the Rangers’ salary cap. The Rangers reportedly offered him a contract worth $11 million per year, which Shesterkin rejected. The gap still appears wide, but if the Rangers are willing to invest a little more, it should resolve itself fairly quickly.

Negotiations are ongoing and fluid, but it appears the Rangers and Shesterkin are closer to finalizing a deal. With some progress already made and the solution known, the Rangers superstar should be next in line to sign a massive contract extension.

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