The NY Post reports that Henrik Lundqvist will join MSG Network in a part-time role.
Lundqvist is expected to be in studio for around 20 games this season with John Giannone and his former goalie partner Steve Valiquette.
He will make his first appearance tomorrow for the Rangers home opener.
The Rangers have announced that Henrik Lundqvist’s #30 will be retired on January 28th when the Rangers host the Minnesota Wild.
James Dolan said in a statement, “Over the franchise’s history, only 11 Rangers players have earned the honor of having their numbers raised to the Garden rafters, where they forever serve as inspiration for others to follow. For 15 seasons, Henrik Lundqvist embodied everything the Rangers organization stands for – excellence, commitment, pride, and leadership. It is only fitting that his No. 30 will now join the legends who have come before him.”
Chris Drury said in a statement, “It was an honor to play with Henrik for four seasons and watch his career evolve as I’ve moved through the organization. Having his No. 30 etched in history forever is so well-deserved for a man who has done so much for the city of New York, on and off the ice. It will be a special moment for the entire organization.”
10:52AM: The Rangers have released the following statement:
“It is with mixed emotions that The New York Rangers offer our best wishes and heartfelt gratitude to Henrik Lundqvist on the announcement of his retirement. Henrik’s commitment to excellence made him one of the best goaltenders to ever play the game of hockey, and we are so fortunate to have witnessed his greatness firsthand for 15 years. As we congratulate Henrik on an extraordinary career and a lasting legacy of success, charity and character, we are honored to announce that we will retire his number and raise his jersey to the rafters at an upcoming game this season.
Henrik is, and always will be, a Ranger.”
Day 3. Surgery went really well. About 5 hours to get it all taken care of. Really appreciate the great staff here at the Clevland Clinic. Last few days has been pretty crazy but feel like I’m in really good hands. Every day is a step in the right direction
pic.twitter.com/wjMTosFWQy — Henrik Lundqvist (@hlundqvist35) January 8, 2021
Henrik Lundqvist has announced that he is scheduled to undergo open heart surgery. (Instagram)
He said, more specifically, that it is an “aortic valve replacement, aortic root and ascending aortic replacement.”
Lundqvist announced recently that he was unable to play this season due to a heart condition.
3:47PM: The Rangers released a statement on twitter saying “we have no doubt that Henrik Lundqvist will face this challenge with the same fierce determination and grace that made him one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play the game of hockey, and an inspiration to all of us. He and his family are in our thoughts during this difficult time. He will always be part of the New York Rangers family.”
Henrik Lundqvist has signed a one-year contract worth $1.5 million to join the Washington Capitals.
Lundqvist was bought out of the final-year of his contract last week.
Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said in a statement “Henrik is one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, and we are pleased to have him join our organization. Henrik has the competitive drive and the ability to help our team compete for a championship. We feel he will be an excellent fit for our team and provide leadership to our organization and our young goaltenders.”
A new journey begins with ONE goal in mind. I’m really excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the @Capitals
See you soon, DC!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/DuShlGUwGR— Henrik Lundqvist (@hlundqvist35) October 9, 2020
𝙨𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙣 pic.twitter.com/IqwOBp7d0s
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 9, 2020
Adam Rotter: The Capitals are the best fit for Lundqvist for a ton of different reasons. They are a contender/win now team, they are close to NY, they have close friends Carl Hagelin and Nicklas Backstrom, he doesn’t have to be the starter and he will get the chance to play the Rangers multiple times.
Washington has Ilya Samsonov as their starter and Lundqvist is going into this situation knowing he’s the back up and he’s okay with it. This may be Lundqvist’s last shot at the Stanley Cup and, as Larry Brooks wrote, he and the Capitals may have to go through the Rangers for it. Lundqvist will likely wear his old number of 35 with the Caps as Samsonov wears #30.
If fans are allowed at MSG when the Caps first visit the Rangers then Lundqvist will get his Eddie Giacomin moment amidst a celebratory video that could last as long as the actual game would and still not touch on everything he did as a Ranger. It will be jarring at first to see Lundqvist in a Caps jersey and celebrating with Alex Ovechkin after a win but this is the best spot for him.
