Confirmed with Link: Rangers Buy Out Contract of Henrik Lundqvist

[Fitzy]

I associate the post-lockout NYR era as the Lundqvist era.

2005-2020 He's been the steady presence in blue. Bittersweet as it is, it's new era time.

 

[Anthony5967]

Extremely disappointed. He could have retired a Ranger if they just moved Georgiev, whom isnt all that great to begin with. He would have been suitable backing up Shesterkin.

Greatest Rangers goalie in history. Deserved a Cup in his tenure here. Could have been a generatiomal talent if drafted by a top tier organization. If he ever had a team like Vasilevsky just had, he could have had multiple Cups.

I probably have him as the 2nd best Ranger ever [or pretty close to it, definitely top-5 all time], behind Brian Leetch. He doesn't have some of the accolades someone like Richter had because he never had a team like the 93-94 Rangers.

I know you probably meant homegrown but even since he isn't, Messier has to be 1 or 2. The curse would still be in effect if it had not been for him.

 

[Anthony5967]

They're clearing an awful lot of money

Makes me think something big is bound to happen

 

[Nickmo82]

Couple of years in Frolunda then back to NYC for FO job?

 

[NYR94]

His jersey retirement ceremony will be well deserved as will the HOF induction. A NYR legend.

 

[Machinehead]

I associate the post-lockout NYR era as the Lundqvist era.

2005-2020 He's been the steady presence in blue. Bittersweet as it is, it's new era time.

Overall, it was pretty positive, but no Cup. Very reminiscent of the late 60's through the early 80's.

 

[Machinehead]

That will always be a tough one for me. No doubt LAK deserved to win. They played better. Still, losing three in OT--a two goal lead, three two goal leads in another game--it was eminently winnable. You know you didn't "deserve" it, but with a bounce here or there and maybe you get lucky. I feel like lots of winners in sports enjoy some degree of luck when they win it all. Coulda been us. Wasn't meant to be.

I don't know if we would have won, and I do believe LA was the better team at the end of the day, but we absolutely deserved to be up 2-1 after 3 games.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Makes me think something big is bound to happen

Strome 8 year extension

 

[haohmaru]

If he signs with another team it's going to be weird. Super weird. Whatever else can be said has already been said.

 

[egelband]

Strome 8 year extension

8/80. He's gonna break out and it'll look likea ridiculously sweet bargain.
Just need him to spend a summer training with Ol' Barb.

 

[darko]

Sad to see this. Best of luck Hank.

What's the damage cap hit wise?

 

[darko]

If he signs with another team it's going to be weird. Super weird. Whatever else can be said has already been said.

I really hope he just decides to go back to Sweden.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

We all had a feeling this could be coming. Still when the news came down I found myself pretty emotional about it. What a legacy this guy has left behind for all of us to enjoy. Will never forget what it felt like to go into every game knowing you had prime Hank as your keeper. Sad way for this all to end.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Sad to see this. Best of luck Hank.

What's the damage cap hit wise?

5.5M 20-21, 1.5M 21-22

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I get it from a business standpoint but I feel he would have been a massive help to Shesterkins development if he stuck around another season to mentor the guy...

But then again we have no idea what will happen this next season when/if it starts up and how it will be played or anything... so maybe NYR feels they need to open the cap space and get rid of him now and prepare for whatever is coming in 2020/21 season and pounce on certain players seeing that alot of teams are screwed with the cap not going up.

 

[Unusual Suspect]

I echo Eco's Bones in harboring some doubts Hank will be able to latch on anywhere in the NHL... it's the worst possible year for it with literally a flood of goaltenders being available at reasonable rates. He is a very bright fellow and I expect he understand this as well.

The rest is simply all parties involved exercising their primary responsibilities and commitments as best they can. Hank wants to try to stay in the league and had no reason to leave money on the table by retiring. The Rangers have a commitment to the rest of their players to build the best future and ice the best squad possible. Included in that is giving the two young goaltenders the best circumstances in which to succeed and also to do what they can to have funds available should a tremendous opportunity arise. It does not mean anything at all is imminent, it's just appropriate resource management.

Have to say Mike Richter has been my own favorite Ranger ever... but Lundqvist was certainly one of a handful of greatest players and people to grace the jersey and I'm sure we'll be seeing a great deal of him around the Garden in years to come. I sure hope so, anyway. Thanks, Henrik.

 

[charliemurphy]

Sad to see it end this way. I think many could make a strong argument he's been the captain all these years but all good things come to an end and time to pass the torch. Truly hope he finds his way back to having some role within the organization... execs get their name on the cup too, just saying.
Having said that, we can officially start speculating about what is about to happen because of the amount of space being cleared. Can't help but think a trade is happening prior to the draft. And no I don't think its Eichel.

 

[kovazub94]

Hank brought excitement and stability back to the Garden after a dark period in franchise history, and the lockout. He was an amazing player at his position and carried the team on and off the ice. It is a shame that for all he accomplished as a member of the New York Rangers he fell tragically short of the ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup.

During this pre-Hank’s period I remember cringing every time I saw a game against the Devils with Brodeur in the net on the calendar. Even before he became fully great Lundqvist earned our love by pretty much singlehandedly turning this around, and as encore during the follow decade he made a few other teams his bitches too.

Immaculately dressed Lundqvist (off the cover of whatever fancy magazine cover) is the image of the New York Rangers during his tenure here.

 

[TominNC]

I really hope he just decides to go back to Sweden.

Then he could have retired and not had the cap hit. It seems he wants to play.

 

[haohmaru]

I echo Eco's Bones in harboring some doubts Hank will be able to latch on anywhere in the NHL...

Depends - if he signs for the league minimum I could see him in Philly, St. Louis, hell, maybe even TB. There's room for him out there.

I think the bigger question is if he'll be able to modify his role and adapt to playing every 3rd or 4th game behind whoever the starter is. I have doubts about that.

 

[Ardi44]

As i approach middle age, you kinda get used to this...All of your heroes eventually move on. I had to watch Messier in another uniform, and even more strange, Leetch. Mattingly came and went without a championship, and then the core 4 one by one hung em up. Father Time remains unmatched and undefeated. This too shall pass and maybe how i felt about Hank replacing Richter, I'll feel about Igor. Either way, it never gets easier. All Hail the King.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Then he could have retired and not had the cap hit. It seems he wants to play.

I don't think thats the only scenario. There is the Drury scenario where the writing was on the wall that a buyout was necessary for the org. Retiring would have lost him millions of dollars where if he just waited to be bought out, he could have the same outcome plus his millions. Stinks for the org but I get it on a personal level.

 

[rangers1314]

Knew it was coming, still very sad. Won't be able to say anything that hasn't already been said.

The amount of games he stole for us are too many to count.

The 2010 game 82 in Philly, that game would have been 10-1 if not for him.

I still maintain that Game 7, 2014 Vs Pitt is the best game I ever saw him play. That 3rd period was simply a man refusing to allow his team to lose. It was remarkable. I still vividly remember sometime in the last 10 minutes of that game becoming totally calm, all my nerves vanished. I knew he wasn't going to let us lose.

Other teams were always more talented than the Rangers, but we had him and many nights that was enough.

In an era where fans sometimes questions if the players "care" or "want it" as much as they do, you never had that question about Hank. He lived and died with each game. Much like we do. He embraced NYC and all that good and bad that come with playing here like no pro athlete that I can remember, maybe not since Reggie Jackson. But that was before my time.

We'll never be able to thank him enough for being part of the crew that brought this franchise back from the dead and to the cusp of a championship.

Thank you a million times over for everything Hank, see you in the Hall of Fame.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

I’m not crying, you’re crying


https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFwtaOEACCE/?igshid=1lt43k577tu5s

 

[offdacrossbar]

complete class act and gentleman. period.

one of the best goalies to have ever played the game and certainly to have worn the red white and blue. when he was "on" he was unbeatable. if he saw it- he stopped it. he would make shooters look to the heavens when he would make saves no one should make. he was special.

wasnt a fan of his giving up softies at the wrong time nor tantrums at the end.

always my favorite player.

good luck with the next phase of life king henrik.

#30 forever.