Legendary goaltender gives strong vote of confidence to Igor Shesterkin in New York

The phrase "talent recognizes talent" comes to mind when talking about former New York Rangers goaltender and absolute legend Mike Richter and his feelings on budding young star Igor Shesterkin.

In Shesterkin, Richter sees a thrilling young goaltender who had essentially enabled the Rangers to move on from another legend in Henrik Lundqvist, knowing that the future was bright in the crease with Shesterkin tending the twine.

«Shesterkin was good enough to give them the ability to think that it's OK not to sign Hank,» Richter told The NY Post on Thursday, during a fundraising event. «Otherwise, there was nothing coming in his place, you can't do it. Those guys don't come along much. So when you have them, hold on to them, and that's why it was a wise signing.»

There is certainly a lot to like about Shesterkin's game, which is why the Rangers were amenable to making the Russian netminder the highest paid second contract goalie in the history of the game on August 9th, inking him to a 4-year, $22.7M deal, worth $5.667M per season. The most impressive thing about the 25-year-old, at least in Richter's eyes, is how he reads the play, like many of the great players that came before him.

«He reads the play amazingly and that's a common denominator with a lot of these great players. Whether it's Brian Leetch playing defense, Wayne Gretzky playing offense or a goalie like Shesterkin or Hank, Marty Brodeur was always very good at that. That's a real asset and he's got it. He seems to be ahead of the play often. I think they got a real winner there.»

Richter, a former Stanley Cup Champion with the Rangers back in 1994, has a lot of confidence in the Shesterkin/Georgiev tandem, and his raving endorsement of the duo should be cause for excitement among the Rangers' fanbase. As with anything, however, Richter did want to temper the expectations by stating that the only way it translates to anything is if this young Rangers team can execute when it matters most.

«I don't think with the goaltending tandem and just the talent that they have that they'll be out of too many games, you just have to season it. And believe me, it doesn't matter what I say, what anybody says, it matters what they do on the ice.»

It's hard not to be excited for the future if you're a Rangers fan. With Shesterkin, Lafreniere, Kakko, Fox and other young studs likely having their best years ahead of them, this team is going to be very good - and for a very long time.

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