Why James Dolan Will Play A Role In Making Igor Shesterkin The Highest Paid Goalie

Here's your weekly "Ask The Maven." The question comes via Harvey "Hutch" Cohen, renowned Brooklyn College hockey star, and famed New Jersey high school coach. Hutch is from Chatham, New Jersey.

ABOUT SHESTERKIN'S PROPOSED SALARY, I BELIEVE THAT HE HAS TO EARN THE (BIG) MONEY OVER TIME, WIN A CUP AND THEN THE MONEY WILL COME. WHAT DO YOU THINK, MAVEN?

Not surprisingly the media is vying for the true scoop – especially The Athletic and The New York Post. The Athletic says Igor and the Garden are far apart in the negotiations while The Post believes that Shesterkin will become the highest paid goalie in the NHL. That would put him at $13 million and, therefore, damage the Rangers Salary Cap situation.

Considering that Igor never has won a Stanley Cup and whose playoff record is just a tad over .500 his demands are excessive – one could say greedy – and definitely not Cap favorable for the GM.

That should bother Chris Drury who'd love to have a load of Salary Cap dough to play with next season. A $13 mil deal for Shesterkin would make it more difficult to attain. In his right mind, Drury should reject a $13 mill demand and play hardball with Iggy's agent.

But, here's the trick. It's not Drury's money. James Dolan owns The Garden and JD has to make the final call. What we know is that Dolan is a showman and likes the big splash which is what a "Richest Goalie" story is all about.

From here on, there'll be news leaks galore over Shesterkin's contract, but if you're wondering who'll be the guy to get the full, correct, story first, I'd put my money on Canada's Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. He's usually the first-est with the most-est.

Either Friedman or the Russkie sports editor of Pravda in Moscow!