Igor Shesterkin was candid while fielding questions about his season during his exit interview with the media Wednesday at MSG Training Center.
The usually buttoned-up Rangers netminder was open and honest about what it was like to come into this season, in which the expectations hanging over his head were so high, thanks to the historic numbers he posted in 2021-22 when he won the Vezina Trophy.
In conclusion, however, Shesterkin essentially issued what could be considered a warning to the rest of the NHL.
“Next season is going to be a different Igor,” Shesterkin said.
Shesterkin went from a 2.07 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage last season to a 2.48 GAA and a .916 save percentage this season. Sure, the drop-off is glaring, but part of that was also how the Rangers skated in front of him from last season to this season.
After consistently making Superman saves all last year, Shesterkin struggled to come up with that extra stop this season that has defined his game since he made his NHL debut during the 2019-20 season.
The 27-year-old memorably came out after the 5-3 loss to the Devils on Nov. 28 and ripped his game.
“The goalie was s–t again,” he said at the time. “I feel so bad. I played so bad. I’m ashamed.”
Once the postseason began, however, Shesterkin was dialed in from Game 1 and gave the Rangers a chance to win every single night. He made key saves and had a steady presence to him that the Rangers can usually feed off of.
The most positive takeaway from the Rangers’ first-round loss is probably the fact that Shesterkin was their best player when they needed him to be.
On Wednesday, Shesterkin admitted he felt pressure to live up to the standard he set last season. Winning the top goaltending award and posting the numbers that he did weighed on him. He even told The Post in early December that he wanted to forget all about last season.
Now, Shesterkin said he knows how to work with the pressure he’ll likely face for the rest of his NHL career.
“Honestly, I’m not happy about this season, for sure,” he said. “I felt a lot of pressure after last season. I thought it was going to be more easy to play, but a lot of pressure. [Rangers Director of Goaltending Benoit Allaire] helped me so much. It was a tough season, but I learned a lot. I got some experience with this one.”