If Henrik Lundqvist’s Rangers Tenure Is Over, What’s The Best Situation For Him?

It’s not the ending we imagined or wanted. But we may have already seen the last time Henrik Lundqvist skates in between the pipes as a New York Ranger.

The COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed the world. And as healthcare personnel, first responders and essential workers bravely battle the crisis at hand, the sports world (the significance of which pales in comparison to maximizing the number of lives saved) remains on hold.

It’s too early to say whether the NHL will resume its season, and if the Rangers will get a chance to make up the 12 games remaining on their schedule in some form. But the possibility of cancellation looms large. Rather than speculate on the league’s uneven circumstances, it’s time to look to the future.

Lundqvist has a decision to make. A big one. Despite being a fading star (evidenced by declining jersey sales) and well past his prime, he wants to keep playing and chase what’s eluded him – the Stanley Cup. However, his decision to opt into the Rangers’ rebuild has become his undoing. Lundqvist’s tenure as the Rangers’ primary goaltender has come to an end, it’s done so without reaching his ultimate goal.

During the 2019-20 season, we all bore witness as not one, but two talented goaltenders emerged as successors to Lundqvist. Igor Shesterkin’s play translated magnificently from the KHL to the AHL, and later the NHL. And although Alexandar Georgiev was set to be a bridge between Lundqvist and Shesterkin, his solid play proved to be a good enough reason for the Rangers to reconsider his status.

Plus, at age 38, Lundqvist’s performance has significantly declined. His 3.16 goals-against average was the highest single-season number of his career and was nearly three-quarters of a goal above his career average. The change could be attributed to less consistent playing time, but Lundqvist’s GAA has trended up for the last four seasons. He also posted a career-low .905 save percentage in 2019-20.

It’s highly unlikely to see the Rangers carry three goalies in 2020-21; the experiment this season yielded mixed results and even less playing time for Lundqvist. So, as the odd man out, Lundqvist has to figure out how to create the best situation for himself for next season. The first step is waiving his no-movement clause, sort of. 

Lundqvist’s NMC allows him to maintain control of his immediate hockey future. And he should use that to push his way onto a playoff contender looking for a platoon or backup goalie. It’s the most advantageous move for both himself and the Rangers. In this scenario, Lundqvist gets to handpick his next team, and the Rangers can recoup something in exchange, the degree of which varies based on how much of Lundqvist’s $8.5 million salary the club is willing to retain (50 percent is the max).

While a selective trade is probably the preferred outcome, Lundqvist could negotiate a buyout and freely sign with any team. There are drawbacks, though. A buyout would involve forgoing some money, and there’s always the possibility that no playoff team takes a flyer on him. At the very least, a trade guarantees he stays on an NHL roster. It’s hard to imagine a team in need of a backup passing on a former Vezina Trophy winner, but stranger things have happened.

There is the option of standing pat. A trade or buyout only happens with Lundqvist’s explicit approval. But staying in New York doesn’t necessarily bring him closer to his Stanley Cup dreams, at least while he’s still under contract or able to make a difference.

The Rangers accelerated their rebuild with the signing of Artemi Panarin and proved they are further along than expected with a stretch run this season. The club may even be granted an opportunity to return to the playoffs, depending on how the NHL’s plan to resume play shakes out. However, they’re still a team several moves away from being a Cup contender. And from a secondary role, it’s difficult for Lundqvist to be a catalyst in that equation. 

For a player as beloved in New York as Lundqvist, it’s difficult to imagine he won’t finish his career as a Ranger. Comparably speaking, it was strange to see New Jersey Devils legend Martin Brodeur don a St. Louis Blues jersey, even if it was only for seven games. Regardless of what happens over the next few years, Lundqvist will always be remembered as one of the best goalies to ever play the game and should have his No. 30 join his contemporaries in the Madison Square Garden rafters one day. 

But for now, the decision of what to do next awaits. And for Lundqvist to contribute at the NHL level and keep chasing the opportunity to have his name inscribed on the Stanley Cup, his best bet is to leave the familiarity of New York behind, accept a trade and join a contender in pursuit of hockey immortality.