The problem for Lundqvist

[OrlandK]

Time to face reality with Hank. This is at least the 4th year in row where he has been below elite level (to say the least). Talbot played better than the King as his backup. Raanta played better than the King as his backup. Anderson outplayed him in the Ottawa series after the King stood tall against the Canadians.

Henke is an average NHL starting goalie at this point. His reflexes have slowed and there is something amiss with his technique that so many bad angle goals get thru. While a hero to most of us, to hang on and claim he can still be elite defies logic.

I noticed during preseason and fantasy player evaluations that the league fanms, writers, etc. have almost unanimously reached the conclusion that Hank is no longer a top tier goalie. Only some of the faithful are holding on against all reason.

 

[gorangers0525]

He simply isn’t good anymore. He’s one of my, if not my, favorite Ranger of all time. But currently, he is an meh-average goalie in a league teeming with excellent goaltenders, and at 8.5 million he’s an insane disadvantage.

I’d love for him to prove me wrong, but the sample size of him not being good is growing and growing.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Time to face reality with Hank. This is at least the 4th year in row where he has been below elite level (to say the least). Talbot played better than the King as his backup. Raanta played better than the King as his backup. Anderson outplayed him in the Ottawa series after the King stood tall against the Canadians.

Henke is an average NHL starting goalie at this point. His reflexes have slowed and there is something amiss with his technique that so many bad angle goals get thru. While a hero to most of us, to hang on and claim he can still be elite defies logic.

I noticed during preseason and fantasy player evaluations that the league fanms, writers, etc. have almost unanimously reached the conclusion that Hank is no longer a top tier goalie. Only some of the faithful are holding on against all reason.

Lundqvist will likely be the last to go if/when this team gets serious about retooling. Hes the face of the franchise, a very popular player, and his cap hit won't hurt a team that needs a year to find itself.

I really hope Ranger fans dont kick him on his way out the door whether that comes in 3 months or 3 years from now.

 

[romba]

Hank isn't in as big of a decline as some experts here claim he is. (I use the term experts extremely lightly)

His save percentage is above average relative to shot quality he has faced so far. Top 10 going into last nights game. (Credit: Adam Herman)

There are parts of his game that can be worked on as goaltenders have to evolve as the game evolves. The game is very different today than what it was like when he first came in.

He has some technical things he needs to tweak, but he is still capable of being a top 5 goaltender in the league.

Let's leave the soft goals alone because those are clearly a focus/confidence issue- he didn't give up goal #2 and #4 last night because he's 'old and slow' as some like to imply. I'm talking about the wristers from the mid-high slot and tops of the circle to the dot. Hank used to be MONEY on those. Sure he'd give up 1 or 2 of those occasionally, any goalie would, but his ability to play deep but still stop top shelfers allowed him constantly get in the head of the opposition. Do they make the quick pass and let Hank use his deep positioning to make a difficult save an easy one, or do they take the shot and get beat again by Hank? Opponents were overthinking and forcing plays. Not anymore though.

At this point what adjustments can he make to match the speed and quality of powerhouse offenses around the league? Playing farther from the net like fans always demand is not comfortable for him and will leave him vulnerable to cross ice passes and flopping everywhere out of control. What other options are there for him and Allaire?

 

[will1066]

Lundqvist will likely be the last to go if/when this team gets serious about retooling. Hes the face of the franchise, a very popular player, and his cap hit won't hurt a team that needs a year to find itself.

I really hope Ranger fans dont kick him on his way out the door whether that comes in 3 months or 3 years from now.

The man deserves mad respect for what he has given to this organization. Exclude me from the irrational Hank haters.

 

[OrlandK]

Almost no one here hates Hank. He is my favorite athlete of all time and I've been a Rangers fan for over 40 years! But the irrationality is all on those that refuse to accept reality. The emperor has no clothes on.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Almost no one here hates Hank. He is my favorite athlete of all time and I've been a Rangers fan for over 40 years! But the irrationality is all on those that refuse to accept reality. The emperor has no clothes on.

That misplaced metaphor would suggest the Lundqvist has fooled us all these years and is now being exposed. A more apt metaphor would be that the emperor is dying a slow death from heart failure.

 

[Trxjw]

I really don't think they're as far off as some people think, but it's going to require moving on from certain guys and giving serious consideration to how we approach others.

Three weeks ago, I said this was a team with a lot of intriguing potential. I still feel that way. This is a team that still has two guys with top 6 upside at the center position, possibly even first line, as well as 2 promising young defenseman who could fill two positions on the defense, along with McD and Skjei.

They arguably have one of the top goalie prospects in the sport, along with other interesting, if somewhat uncertain options throughout the system.

This year reminds me a lot more of 2010 than it does 2004.

I agree that they aren't that far off. They have a solid base to build on, but lack those players who can put the team on their back when needed.

A hit on a high pick, a couple of good trades, and another year of development for the kids in the system and they're probably right back to where they are now. Likely even better.

 

[Edge]

I agree that they aren't that far off. They have a solid base to build on, but lack those players who can put the team on their back when needed.

A hit on a high pick, a couple of good trades, and another year of development for the kids in the system and they're probably right back to where they are now. Likely even better.

I'm okay taking the hit on the season, if it serves as a springboard to move forward.

 

[Machinehead]

His style is to play abnormally deep. A depth that goaltending coaches would chastise young players for. And good for him, it worked for years. The Roy Jones Jr. of goaltending.

But now, in his late 30's, he doesn't have the reflexes to play with his ass touching the net.

 

[Trxjw]

I'm okay taking the hit on the season, if it serves as a springboard to move forward.

At this point, I'm not sure what the alternatives are. They're not a trade away from fixing this season, and if you're going to take the hit on a season, now is as good of a season to do it given how strong the draft class is.

 

[True Blue]

At this point, I'm not sure what the alternatives are. They're not a trade away from fixing this season, and if you're going to take the hit on a season, now is as good of a season to do it given how strong the draft class is.

As always, the question becomes if management can realistically look in the mirror and ask what they are competing for?

 

[romba]

They'll definitely move prospects to make the team better because the Lunqvist window is still open according to the brass, and it's the NYR, Dolan, and MSG. I just hope they don't mortgage the entire future to capitalize while Hank's still around, just for a first or 2nd round exit.

 

[romba]

As always, the question becomes if management can realistically look in the mirror and ask what they are competing for?

I unfortunately am quite confident the answer will be 'The Stanley Cup'.

 

[Trxjw]

As always, the question becomes if management can realistically look in the mirror and ask what they are competing for?

Yep. That's the million dollar question. Strange off season where they invested heavily in the D, but basically left the center position up for grabs with no safety net. Now the team is a mess down the middle, and the D is in shambles. Hopefully Gorton has the foresight, and the leash, to take this season on the chin and look towards next year.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I love Henrik's compete level and he will always be one of my favorite Rangers (how could he not), but its been a running theme of deflection goals, screen shots, skate redirections and bad angle flukes going in on him year after year. I know its a product of some of the systems the Rangers have played and also his signature style of playing so deep in net, but I thought he actually made strides at points to tighten up there. Its back worse than ever this season.

In addition to that he has always been a dreadful puck handler, maybe the worst ever in the elite group he will find himself in when it is all said an done. I felt he really could have improved in that area, especially when Biron was here to help. This weak point in his game has lead to increased time in the defensive zone and its a very tangible amount of time at that. So many opportunities against could be prevented if he was even average at it.

I still have confidence in the guy, because he battles like no one else. But this is definitely the lowest point of his career. All the talk about his contract, trades, the aging. Hes never had to face this before. Feeling the disappointment of playoff failure is one thing, but his entire career is being put on the chopping block now.

I think we can all agree that theres no one else we rather see on this team holding a Cup. I firmly believe that we are stuck with him unless the Rangers sell low on value given his recent play and his contract. Gotta roll with what they have and the team in front of him needs to become a sum of all parts success story otherwise we are in for a long 3 years.

 

[Edge]

I love Henrik's compete level and he will always be one of my favorite Rangers (how could he not), but its been a running theme of deflection goals, screen shots, skate redirections and bad angle flukes going in on him year after year. I know its a product of some of the systems the Rangers have played and also his signature style of playing so deep in net, but I thought he actually made strides at points to tighten up there. Its back worse than ever this season.

In addition to that he has always been a dreadful puck handler, maybe the worst ever in the elite group he will find himself in when it is all said an done. I felt he really could have improved in that area, especially when Biron was here to help. This weak point in his game has lead to increased time in the defensive zone and its a very tangible amount of time at that. So many opportunities against could be prevented if he was even average at it.

I still have confidence in the guy, because he battles like no one else. But this is definitely the lowest point of his career. All the talk about his contract, trades, the aging. Hes never had to face this before. Feeling the disappointment of playoff failure is one thing, but his entire career is being put on the chopping block now.

I think we can all agree that theres no one else we rather see on this team holding a Cup. I firmly believe that we are stuck with him unless the Rangers sell low on value given his recent play and his contract. Gotta roll with what they have and the team in front of him needs to become a sum of all parts success story otherwise we are in for a long 3 years.

I'm going to go on record and say that I don't see Lundqvist sticking around if he slips far enough to be relegated to a backup role.

The best case scenario might if the Rangers believe Shestyorkin can jump straight to the NHL, and tell him as much in order to get him here next season.

Under that scenario, the first season could be a 50/30 or close to a 40/40 split, with Shestyorkin taking over the starting duties the following season. After that, in 2020, Lundqvist retires.

But that's also a lot of wishful thinking, timing and theoretical scenarios.

 

[Fvital92]

He should retire at the end of next year and go to a front office position, pay him the money that he would receive otherwise.
Last year and this year he is playing like an average goalie at best,next year could be ugly.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

After this season, he has 17m left in base salary. That's what he loses out on if he retires:

2017-18: 8m
2018-19: 6.5m
2019-20: 6m
2020-21: 4.5m

Everything is is either already paid out or a signing bonus and paid out regardless of retirement/buy out.

He should retire at the end of next year and go to a front office position, pay him the money that he would receive otherwise.
Last year and this year he is playing like an average goalie at best,next year could be ugly.

Who will be in net?

 

[Fvital92]

Who will be in net?

Some goalie of the Raanta, Talbot class when they were here, you can find those in the free agency or in a relatively cheap trade. The play would be average or slightly bellow average without the massive cap hit. Then Shestyorkin indo 2019/2020 season.

 

[GregSirico]

The best thing for Hank would be to retire but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

The best thing for Hank would be to retire but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

And the obligatory gone too far too soon post.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

Some goalie of the Raanta, Talbot class when they were here, you can find those in the free agency or in a relatively cheap trade. The play would be average or slightly bellow average without the massive cap hit. Then Shestyorkin indo 2019/2020 season.

Several goalies looked good as backups when the team was way, way better [i.e. winning the Presidents' Trophy the wrong way], so will the "any goalie will work" concept still be ok?

 

[GregSirico]

And the obligatory gone too far too soon post.

Not really. It’s not because he’s not capable of winning games it’s becusse of regression of game with salary cap restrictions. It’s a business decision not an emotional one.

 

[GregSirico]

BTW I’m one of Hank’s biggest fans. He’s the ultra competitor and works his tail off and raises his game when the chips are on the line. I think he’s a first ballot HOF. He’s also the best goalie in NYR history. He’s also a very likable man from what I’ve seen as well. This is not a knock on him.