The New York Rangers shared with Henrik Lundqvist on Wednesday and bought out the last season of his seven-year contract of 59.5 million dollars to end the goalkeeper’s 15 years with the club.
The 38-year-old leaves Rangers with his name on the top 10 lists in NHL history. He is sixth in victories (459), seventh in saves (23,509), eighth in matches of a goalkeeper (887), ninth in time on ice (51816 minutes and 19 seconds). He also ends up in 16th place in shutouts with 64.
Rangers chose the Swede in the seventh round of the NHL draft in 2000, and he took over in goal during the 2005-06 season.
“Few players have been as important to the Rangers series as Henrik Lundqvist, and we are extremely grateful for everything he has done for our organization,” said James Dolan, CEO of MSG Sports. “During his 15-year tenure, he not only established himself as one of the best goalkeepers to ever play the game, he has also been one of hockey’s toughest competitors and most effective ambassadors. He will always be part of the Rangers family.”
Rangers made 12 appearances in the Stanley Cup play-offs with Lundqvist in goal and lost the final after the 2013-14 season. He had a 61-67 record in the post-war period with 2.30 goals against the average, 0.921 save percent and 10 suspensions.
Lundqvist, who also won a gold medal with Sweden during the 2006 Turin Olympics, thanked Rangers in a series of tweets on Wednesday morning.
“THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING! 15 years ago I played my first game for @NYRangers. I came here with big hopes and big dreams, but in my wildest imagination I could never have imagined the fantastic ride that lay ahead of us,” he wrote .
“Representing this organization has been the greatest source of pride and joy in my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity, for the friendship and for all the amazing memories created in red, white and blue. I will always cherish my time as and Ranger.
“From my heart, thank you!”
He is Rangers’ leading leader when it comes to wins, games, starts, saves, suspensions and time on ice. Beginner Igor Shesterkin’s arrival in January and Alexandar Georgiev’s constant play made Lundqvist exhausted.
Rangers were swept 3-0 by the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup qualifiers. When Shesterkin was insufficient to play, Lundqvist started the first two matches.
– Field level media
Source: sn.dk