Henrik Lundqvist plans to talk with Rangers after season about what's next for him
Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist protects the net against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — A reflective Henrik Lundqvist addressed his future with the Rangers on Monday, acknowledging he no longer is the team’s No. 1 goaltender and saying he will sit down with management after the season to figure out what is next for him.
“My obligation, my job, is to come and give it my all, and that’s what I’ve tried to do over the last few weeks, just be ready when I get the opportunity to play,’’ Lundqvist said after a very eventful practice at which the Rangers announced that Igor Shesterkin and Pavel Buchnevich had been involved in a car accident and that Chris Kreider had signed a seven-year contract extension.
“If I’m not playing, [I'll] try to be as supportive as possible to the guys who are playing,’’ Lundqvist said. “Whatever happens here, down the stretch, you’ve just got to come with positive energy and try to help the team in any way you can. And [in] my situation, after the season, you obviously have some things to talk about — new role, and if you fit in this role, or something else.’’
With Shesterkin out for the next few weeks because of a broken rib suffered in the accident, Lundqvist figures to get a chance to play more. The 37-year-old, who has been the face of the franchise since coming over from Sweden in 2005, had become the third goalie.
Shesterkin took over as No. 1 after coming up from AHL Hartford on Jan. 6. Alexandar Georgiev appears to have settled in as the No. 2 and will start Tuesday when the Rangers visit the Islanders at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum.
Lundqvist (10-11-3, 3.12 goals-against average, .907 save percentage) last started on Feb. 3.
It’s impossible to imagine the Rangers going with three goaltenders again next season, and with Shesterkin clearly No. 1, either Georgiev, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, or Lundqvist, who will be entering the final season of his contract, will have to be subtracted. Lundqvist has a no-move clause, so he would have to waive it for the Rangers to trade him. Or they could buy him out.
“I’ve been very open with the management the two years I’ve been through this process that if there comes a day where they feel like I’m not a good solution, let’s talk about it, let’s be open about it,’’ Lundqvist said. “And I know we’re going to sit down after the season. But right now, the last few weeks, my focus is to work hard and be ready.’’
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
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