News Article: Is Henrik changing his mind?

[BKGooner]

Fatso had child support issues.

Price you pay for being Uncle Daddy.

 

[RangerBoy]

Lundqvist is no dummy. He can read the writing on the wall. He knows the Rangers have Georgiev and Shesterkin. Georgiev took away so many starts from him in the 2nd half of the season. The Rangers announced the Shesterkin signing on Friday. They had a video of him signing the contract. The Rangers made into a pretty big deal. It's Lundqvist's desire to finish his career as a Ranger but if the Rangers have other plans, they will do what they have to do. He can't make the decisions for the Rangers.

It will be very interesting to see how the Rangers handle their goaltending situation next season. Shesterkin is content to play in the AHL if he needs time to adapt to the North American game. It won't be very long before he has made the adjustment and Shesterkin will want to play in the NHL.

Who starts off as the #1 goaltender? Georgiev or Lundqvist.

Hank wants to stay but if the Rangers are giving Georgiev more starts or an equal amount of starts and they begin to work Shesterkin into the rotation, Lundqvist will see fewer and fewer starts. Georgiev will be waiver eligible with 17 more games played. They can manipulate the situation for a little while.

 

[lucky13]

Lundqvist is no dummy. He can read the writing on the wall. He knows the Rangers have Georgiev and Shesterkin. Georgiev took away so many starts from him in the 2nd half of the season. The Rangers announced the Shesterkin signing on Friday. They had a video of him signing the contract. The Rangers made into a pretty big deal. It's Lundqvist's desire to finish his career as a Ranger but if the Rangers have other plans, they will do what they have to do. He can't make the decisions for the Rangers.

It will be very interesting to see how the Rangers handle their goaltending situation next season. Shesterkin is content to play in the AHL if he needs time to adapt to the North American game. It won't be very long before he has made the adjustment and Shesterkin will want to play in the NHL.

Who starts off as the #1 goaltender? Georgiev or Lundqvist.

Hank wants to stay but if the Rangers are giving Georgiev more starts or an equal amount of starts and they begin to work Shesterkin into the rotation, Lundqvist will see fewer and fewer starts. Georgiev will be waiver eligible with 17 more games played. They can manipulate the situation for a little while.

Is that 17 starts? Or does being on the roster but sitting on the bench as the backup count towards that number as well?

 

[Leetch3]

Is that 17 starts? Or does being on the roster but sitting on the bench as the backup count towards that number as well?

17 games played...being a backup doesn't count if he doesn't get into the game

 

[lucky13]

17 games played...being a backup doesn't count if he doesn't get into the game

Ok so that helps a lil... they can prob stretch that past the new year give or take a lil depending on how things are shaking out

 

[wolfgaze]

IMHO there's absolutely no way the correct context is 'contract extension' - not when we're dealing with a 37 year old goaltender who will be 39 when his current contract expires... Everyone in the hockey world sees the writing on the wall that the Rangers will look to establish a young #1 goaltender and that means no room for Henke in that role... The question is does he finish out the remaining 2 years of his contract with NYR, ask for a trade, or perhaps consider an early retirement after one additional season?

It is problematic that the Rangers may have to part ways with Georgiev before they really know what they've got with him...

 

[haohmaru]

If we’re a contender in 2+ years, which we should be if all goes well, Hank the backup (at that point) might get what he deserves if he doesn’t care a whole lot about $. You could do a lot worse at 2nd string goalie.

 

[Beacon]

I just don't see it happening...he's not worth his current contract...what's the point in moving him for scraps..

I'd move him for nothing plus throw in a 50% cap retention. Someone would want him for $4.25 for 2 years. He could win the Cup or at least some playoff games, which won't happen anymore with the Rangers. It's what's best for him.

It is also best for the Rangers. Transition to the Russian Duo. No doubt at least one should be able to start, but if not, at least we learn that we need quick help in the net.

 

[Beacon]

”- I don't know if I will stay in Rangers throughout my career. I have two years left on the contract and it has always been my goal to remain in Rangers. But when you get up in the years you never know. I have my own agenda, but if the club wants something else, I have to be sensitive to it. You can't just run your own race. It's not always the dream is realistic, we'll see how it gets. Now I focus everything on the World Cup, says Henke.” Sounds like if Rangers don’t wanna extend his contract he might be forced to sign somewhere else? Not like he wants to move?

Sounds very obviously that if the Rangers approached him and said we need to move on, can you accept a trade to Dallas or whatever, he'd do it.

 

[Beacon]

If we’re a contender in 2+ years, which we should be if all goes well

We will not be a contender in 2 years when most of our core players [including 2019 and 2020 picks] will be 19-23 years old. That's not how it works. That's not how any of this works.

 

[Hire Sather]

We will not be a contender in 2 years when most of our core players [including 2019 and 2020 picks] will be 19-23 years old. That's not how it works. That's not how any of this works.

It should be the goal.

Should not be trying to finish bottom 5 for multiple years in a row.

 

[Beacon]

It should be the goal.

Should not be trying to finish bottom 5 for multiple years in a row.

We will finish bottom 10 the next 2 years, possibly bottom 5, especially if Kreider is traded and no kid emerges as a star.

In 2021-22, we are likely a playoff team, but not a Cup contender. If all works out, it will be 4-5 years to become contenders.

Last time, it took us 10 years from the 2004 fire sale to the 2014 SCF, and at the time we had possibly the greatest Ranger ever join the team immediately after the fire sale, plus we stole our Captain and 1D for a cap dump. Not sure any 2 current players equal Hank+McDonagh, so 5 years instead of 10 from fire sale to contention would be an achievement.

You can't rebuild through the draft in under 5 years because it takes time for kids to mature, and that time frame isn't 2 or 3 years from the draft day.

 

[haohmaru]

We will not be a contender in 2 years when most of our core players [including 2019 and 2020 picks] will be 19-23 years old. That's not how it works. That's not how any of this works.

Yeah, I’ve heard this from you s thousand times. By “contenders” I mean a playoff team in the 2021-2 season. You’re right, though, that if we’re not making the playoffs in 3 years then shit isn’t working.

 

[eco's bones]

One thing we could do is wait for someone's goalie to get hurt. It happens. If Henrik's willing to go to wherever that injury has happened then--retain half his salary--see what you can get back.

It was clear to me that in the second half of the season Georgiev was the better goalie. One could chalk that up to a frustrated Henrik losing his focus a bit but he's declined a bit as well and it's likely there'll be more frustration for him this year.

 

[Larrybiv]

Title should read "Is Hank Afraid He'd Lose an Open Competition for the Net?"

Yeah Vinny, I kind of was saying that in not so many words. I mean lets face it, Georgiev arguably was the better goaltender when he was getting significantly more starts towards last say 3rd of the season.

I am positive Hank will be the BEST teammate, and want his eventual successor (whoever that may be) to have success. I just think it won't be easy for Hank to willingly step aside, therefore he will have to possibly "up" his game in order to keep "his net".

I don't care what anyone says about Shesty, Georgiev has the upper hand as he has already proven he can handle the NHL, albeit NOT on a full time basis. Shesty hasn't had that opportunity yet. Lots to unfold. Nothing is a given.

 

[haveandare]

Georgiev has been extremely inconsistent and Shestyorkin hasn’t played a single NA game. People hoping hank leaves and saying either can replace him are living in a fantasy world imo.

If he wants to go, fine that’s his choice and I wish him well but I’m happy to have him if he wants to stay. He’s our best goalie today by a lot.

 

[Vitto79]

Georgiev has been extremely inconsistent and Shestyorkin hasn’t played a single NA game. People hoping hank leaves and saying either can replace him are living in a fantasy world imo.

If he wants to go, fine that’s his choice and I wish him well but I’m happy to have him if he wants to stay. He’s our best goalie today by a lot.

He's not leaving now.........they will bring Georgiev and Shestyorkin up and down all year

but come the deadline he won't have as many starts as he is used to and some teams may want him at 50% going into his final season.

Next year is the issue as Georgiev needs a new deal and Shestorkin isnt going to want to be in the AHL soooooooooo Hanks likely leaving which is better for him and the team............in reality

 

[Larrybiv]

I'd be perfectly fine with him playing out his contract if we didn't have 2 young goalies both pushing for NHL starts. The worst possible scenario is that we trade Georgiev too soon, Hank retires and Shesty flops. We could go from three goalies to zero really quick.

Bite your tongue! Can't believe Gorton would ever be so stupid as to allow that to happen. It actually m8ght be "necessary" to keep Hank, until the smoke clears with the other 2. Going to be quite the difficult scenario, but has to be that way in comparison to having ZERO.
Not sure what Shesty's conditions are.......but would have to believe that he would get the majority of his playing time with Hartford. Cannot send Georgiev there, he has earned his PT, and could really hurt his growth.
If Shesty doesn't like it......too bad, go back to Russia. I know that sounds harsh, but it is what it is.

 

[Larrybiv]

Georgiev has been extremely inconsistent and Shestyorkin hasn’t played a single NA game. People hoping hank leaves and saying either can replace him are living in a fantasy world imo.

If he wants to go, fine that’s his choice and I wish him well but I’m happy to have him if he wants to stay. He’s our best goalie today by a lot.

Regardless that you and others "perceived" him to be inconsistent, much of that is on the rest of the team. Not like he was letting in 2 softies every game, oh yeah and go ahead and throw out his 40-50 save performances. Doesn't count.

Bottom line is.......you still have to "find out" that Georgiev can or cannot be a 55-60 game starter and Shesty getting his feet wet. That is the best case scenario for the Rangers. BOTH of them on the team somewhere down the line. Hank getting us meaningless wins does nothing for the team moving forward.
Georgiev's and possibly Shesty's however, DOES mean something.
Please, dont bash me. I'm not dissing on Hank. We ALL can see the writing on the wall, just some won't accept it. I will CRY when that day does come, when he is gone......but hopefully there will be a legit replacement. We ARE spoiled in that regard.

 

[Leetch3]

Georgiev has been extremely inconsistent and Shestyorkin hasn’t played a single NA game. People hoping hank leaves and saying either can replace him are living in a fantasy world imo.

If he wants to go, fine that’s his choice and I wish him well but I’m happy to have him if he wants to stay. He’s our best goalie today by a lot.

no one cares who is the best goalie today...what matters is who is the starting goalie long term. hank will not be here when the team is rebuilt.

and lets be real. hank won 2 games from 2/1 on. he was the captain of our tank

 

[charliemurphy]

If we’re a contender in 2+ years, which we should be if all goes well, Hank the backup (at that point) might get what he deserves if he doesn’t care a whole lot about $. You could do a lot worse at 2nd string goalie.

Agreed.
If he's ok with that role but are people around here not interested in having Lundqvist as a backup? You can bet he would take a team friendly deal if it meant retiring a Ranger and seeing his number raised in MSG regardless if they win the cup with him or not as the backup.

 

[LORDE]

Agreed.
If he's ok with that role but are people around here not interested in having Lundqvist as a backup? You can bet he would take a team friendly deal if it meant retiring a Ranger and seeing his number raised in MSG regardless if they win the cup with him or not as the backup.

This is happening no matter what he does in the next couple of years.

He could pull a Costanza and grab Messier's jersey out from behind the glass and wipe Buffalo wing sauce all over it and his number would get retired anyway.

 

[Trxjw]

Bit of sensationalism in that article, but I've always felt there was a better than slight chance that Hank would go for the Ray Bourque scenario. Get traded to a contender at the deadline in his final year to see if he can win a cup. I don't think he's going to enjoy being a back-up and we'll see how he does with a smaller portion of starts this year -- that's assuming Georgie can handle that kind of work load of course. Also assuming some spot starts for Shesty here and there.

I don't see many options for him to move prior to that point. He's probably not going to want to leave NYC with more than a few months left on his deal and I'd expect the list of suitors to be somewhat short. Calgary and St Louis are competitive, but they're not exactly destination cities. Columbus will probably need a new goalie, but that's a weird transition to make environment wise. San Jose to cover for Jones if he falters? Maybe, but do they have the space? That's really about it as far as options go.

 

[n8]

clickbait. of course Hank wants to stay but he isn't dumb. He knows that it's entirely possible that Gorton will ask him to waive his NTC at a future deadline (not this year, next year) so the organization can move on with Georgiev and Shesty (of which we'd probably lose one to Seattle anyways). Lundqvist can still play the game if he has the blue line to support him. Financially, it'd have to be at the TDL, last year of his contract, Rangers retaining 50%. I'm mixed about moving him though. Like if he moved and won a cup, I would be happy for him. But if we move him and he bounces out of the 1st round a la Brian Leetch, it feels like "what was the point?" I guess assets? After the contract, yeah. Can't see him resigned unless it's for a low amount, low term, and it's essentially to play back up to which every youngster we keep and replace whomever Seattle drafts from us.

 

[Casper The Soy Ghost]

If he's moved I got see a good fit for him in Calgary at 50% retention. It depends if he wants to live there. Vancouver feels more like City he'd like but at the same time he probably wants to play for someone further along the road to contending.

It will be sad if he's traded but that's the way it goes I guess. He has still had an absolutely amazing career in the NHL. Easily the best goalie the last decade!

It would be cool to see him retire only playing for one club in the NHL for that long. But he has what, 2 years left on his deal? Georgiev/Shestyorkin will take over the reigns. But if they both deliver, one of them might get traded. Then we could have Hank as an backup. It all depends on how Shestyorkin performs.