Prospect Info: Igor Shestyorkin Part I

[Beacon]

I voted for Shesterkin as our top prospect in our Midseason poll almost a year ago based on his WJC/MHL/VHL play. This season raises his stock significantly.

He's the same age as Halverson, who started the season in the ECHL, which is regarded as acceptable because goalies develop slower. The VHL is better than the ECHL and the KHL is better than the AHL. Shesterkin put up better stats in the KHL than Halverson in the ECHL, which is 3 levels lower.

This shows not just that he's better than Halvy, but how great he is for a goalie prospect. I have no doubt he could be a competent NHL backup today at the age of 20 when most goalie prospects, even first rounders, are struggling to keep up in the AHL.

 

[FLYLine27*]

I voted for Shesterkin as our top prospect in our Midseason poll almost a year ago based on his WJC/MHL/VHL play. This season raises his stock significantly.

He's the same age as Halverson, who started the season in the ECHL, which is regarded as acceptable because goalies develop slower. The VHL is better than the ECHL and the KHL is better than the AHL. Shesterkin put up better stats in the KHL than Halverson in the ECHL, which is 3 levels lower.

This shows not just that he's better than Halvy, but how great he is for a goalie prospect. I have no doubt he could be a competent NHL backup today at the age of 20 when most goalie prospects, even first rounders, are struggling to keep up in the AHL.

I don't think anyone is arguing that Halvy is even in the same ballpark as Shest though.

 

[nyrleetch]

There's no way they trade Shesty with a 34 year old goalie who isn't getting any younger.

Does anyone get younger?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Does anyone get younger?

I make that point all the time whenever someone says "isn't getting any younger", it just seemed like an appropriate time to use that cliche.

 

[nyrleetch]

I make that point all the time whenever someone says "isn't getting any younger", it just seemed like an appropriate time to use that cliche.

Hahaha. Hope this kid keeps progressing. Would be great to have another top goalie.

 

[Beacon]

Shesterkin is playing CSKA tomorrow, the best team in the KHL after his own. Big test for him against a major league team. The CSKA could play in the NHL in terms of talent. Last time he pitched a 38-save shutout against CSKA. Would be nice to see that it was not a fluke and reflects his real ability.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I hope he works to strengthen his back before coming to NA.

 

[Irishguy42]

SKA down 3-2 to CSKA after first period. CSKA leading 19-8 in SOG. Woof.

 

[Doctor King Schultz]

Shesty vs Sorokin, preview of future Rangers/Isles games

 

[Kshahdoo]

SKA down 3-2 to CSKA after first period. CSKA leading 19-8 in SOG. Woof.

It's 4-3 SKA already. Crazy game. SKA scored two goals in less than a minute.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Does anyone get younger?

Someone get Hank some of that Benjamin Button ****.

 

[Irishguy42]

This game is bonkers

 

[Beacon]

CSKA Moscow looks sooooo much better than SKA St. Pete. Moscow did whatever it wanted for the first two periods, looking like adults toying with kids. But SKA is winning 5-3 because Shesterkin (Rangers) is better than Sorokin (Islanders).

These are two big time teams that can easily play in the NHL with the same squads. Huge tests for both our and Isles prospects, but while our kid is showing (so far) that he can play against big time teams, Sorokin got rocked for 5 goals on 21 shots. 8 minutes to go.

UPDATE: Shesterkin won, stopping 36 of 39 shots for a .923 SV%. Sorokin (Isles top prospect) stopped 16 of 21 shots for a shade under .762 SV%. Shesterkin also got not one, but TWO assists. The second assist was more difficult than Kovalchuk's empty net goal. When he passed the puck, my first thought was, "whoa, Shesterkin can really handle the puck!" It looked like something an offensive defenseman would pass to a forward.

Shesterkin made multiple athletic saves, reminiscent of Mike Richter, who was the most athletic goalie we ever had. But he also plays a better system than Richter who sometimes wasn't the best at covering all the angles to give the opponent nothing to shoot at. Shesterkin was a bit out of position last season in the KHL and even early this season, but obviously worked on it in practice with coaches and a weakness became a strength.

 

[Overcast]

SKA up 6-3 now.

 

[Irishguy42]

What. A. Game.

Absolutely wild.

36/39 saves.

 

[CommaSynapse]

What. A. Game.

Absolutely wild.

36/39 saves.

Not bad at all. And he got the win.

 

[Irishguy42]

Shesty also got two assists.

Not bad!

 

[Beacon]

Not bad at all. And he got the win.

Let's keep in mind that this is not giving up 3 goals in the Juniors or even the AHL. This isn't even giving up three against a random KHL squad. It's 3 goals on almost 40 shots from arguably the best non-NHL team in the world (though his own team may make that claim too). He has over .961 SV% against CSKA this season and they are a really, really good team.

 

[Kshahdoo]

CSKA Moscow looks sooooo much better than SKA St. Pete. Moscow did whatever it wanted for the first two periods, looking like adults toying with kids. But SKA is winning 5-3 because Shesterkin (Rangers) is better than Sorokin (Islanders).

These are two big time teams that can easily play in the NHL with the same squads. Huge tests for both our and Isles prospects, but while our kid is showing (so far) that he can play against big time teams, Sorokin got rocked for 5 goals on 21 shots. 8 minutes to go.

UPDATE: Shesterkin won, stopping 36 of 39 shots for a .923 SV%. Sorokin (Isles top prospect) stopped 16 of 21 shots for a shade under .762 SV%. Shesterkin also got not one, but TWO assists. The second assist was more difficult than Kovalchuk's empty net goal. When he passed the puck, my first thought was, "whoa, Shesterkin can really handle the puck!" It looked like something an offensive defenseman would pass to a forward.

Shesterkin made multiple athletic saves, reminiscent of Mike Richter, who was the most athletic goalie we ever had. But he also plays a better system than Richter who sometimes wasn't the best at covering all the angles to give the opponent nothing to shoot at. Shesterkin was a bit out of position last season in the KHL and even early this season, but obviously worked on it in practice with coaches and a weakness became a strength.

Well, CSKA plays more like an NA team, and SKA is a typical (as to style, but not skill, of course) European/Russian team. That's why they shoot not very often, but their shots are of a very high quality.

Of course, this game Shesterkin made a lot of very good saves, and Sorokin didn't look impressive.

 

[offdacrossbar]

watched highlights of that game.

wow. crazy. this kid is just so talented. that was fun too watch

shestyorkin, if he continues to develop on this trajectory, will be a crazy good goaltender.

so reminds me of another freak athletic goalie few years back

dominik hasek.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

First two goals he got five holed, which isn't good, but both were good scoring chances. The first one was an odd man rush for CSKA where one player played it over to the other who five holed Shesty from a few feet out. The second was after a nice save in front the puck pinged to a CSKA player from a few feet out, his body was taking him away from goal, but he just threw it at net, and since Shesty was out of position from the initial save without time to get back, it went five hole as he was trying to get over. Third goal wasn't his fault. Beat high glove side from the slot, but some idiot did a kneeling block right in front of him, missed the puck and screened him.

 

[Rangers in 7]

First two goals he got five holed, which isn't good, but both were good scoring chances. The first one was an odd man rush for CSKA where one player played it over to the other who five holed Shesty from a few feet out. The second was after a nice save in front the puck pinged to a CSKA player from a few feet out, his body was taking him away from goal, but he just threw it at net, and since Shesty was out of position from the initial save without time to get back, it went five hole as he was trying to get over. Third goal wasn't his fault. Beat high glove side from the slot, but some idiot did a kneeling block right in front of him, missed the puck and screened him.

dan girardi plays for SKA too?

 

[FLYLine27*]

First two goals he got five holed, which isn't good, but both were good scoring chances. The first one was an odd man rush for CSKA where one player played it over to the other who five holed Shesty from a few feet out. The second was after a nice save in front the puck pinged to a CSKA player from a few feet out, his body was taking him away from goal, but he just threw it at net, and since Shesty was out of position from the initial save without time to get back, it went five hole as he was trying to get over. Third goal wasn't his fault. Beat high glove side from the slot, but some idiot did a kneeling block right in front of him, missed the puck and screened him.

Excellent, he will be fully prepared for the Ranger's defense.

 

[Irishguy42]

First two goals he got five holed, which isn't good, but both were good scoring chances. The first one was an odd man rush for CSKA where one player played it over to the other who five holed Shesty from a few feet out. The second was after a nice save in front the puck pinged to a CSKA player from a few feet out, his body was taking him away from goal, but he just threw it at net, and since Shesty was out of position from the initial save without time to get back, it went five hole as he was trying to get over. Third goal wasn't his fault. Beat high glove side from the slot, but some idiot did a kneeling block right in front of him, missed the puck and screened him.

When did Klein join SKA?

 

[Revel]

From the sound of it, I'm kind of disappointed I missed this one.