New York Rangers: Just a bunch of questions about Lundqvist’s future
With the downward trend in the New York Rangers performance since December, there is now substantial evidence that the team will be sellers at the deadline.
Following their 6-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, the Rangers had not won a game in regulation in the last 20 games.
On Thursday, the New York Rangers held a press conference with Jeff Gorton and Glen Sather who additionally released this announcement. With the statements made in both the presser and their letter to the fans, it has been confirmed that management will look to sell core players at the deadline and stage a full rebuild in the offseason.
Beyond players like Rick Nash and Michael Grabner, who have been talked about as assets that would be on the trade block all season, Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh and alternate captain Mats Zuccarello have entered the discussion. Additionally, it has been reported that J.T. Miller and Chris Kreider have also received interest on the trade market.
Henrik Lundqvist is locked up in a long-term contract involving a no-trade clause. With the New York Rangers making it clear that they will sacrifice the rest of this season in favor of looking toward the future the question is: what does this mean for Lundqvist?
Things to consider
It is no secret that Lundqvist is coming toward the end of his career. He is 35-years old and has been in the league for 12 seasons.
Lundqvist will go down as the greatest goaltender in Rangers history with or without a Cup. However, he knows he has to have a title before retirement and it’s been on his mind for years. And right now, he has to have an inkling it might not be possible with the Rangers.
The biggest concern that comes with the Rangers tearing everything down and rebuilding around younger players is where this leaves Lundqvist.
The netminder has to be considering the number of years he has left — potentially in his entire career. It is not likely that a team that rebuilds can come back the next year and see immediate success. There are countless factors that have to go right, and if these go right, it is likely that the impact of changes that are made may not come for some time.
On top of this, when (not if) Alain Vigneault gets fired, you have to consider there would be a new coach in charge of a completely different roster. The Rangers are bound to have problems they will need to solve.
Is it possible that Lundqvist looks at the amount of time it would take to for the team to stabilize and look to win that title with another franchise?
Is there a point where he looks at where the team is headed and consider waiving his no-trade clause?
How far would management have to go before he tries to find a team that can get him that Cup that he so rightfully deserves?
An attempt to find answers
I don’t think I have an answer to a single one of these questions. I’m sure Henrik Lundqvist doesn’t either.
But Lundqvist must see both positives and negatives with the direction the team is taking.
There is definitely a chance that if the Rangers fall too far Lundqvist could look elsewhere. But there is so much tying him to New York, I think it would take a decent amount for it to happen.
I think he will consider leadership role he has taken on. Though he does not wear a letter, this season more than ever, Lundqvist has been a leader on the ice. And in the midst of change, he can be the steady presence he has been for so many seasons. The Rangers have a better shot at seeing success after a rebuild with Lundqvist in net.
With fans finally getting to see some more of the Rangers prospects in the lineup — Neal Pionk and John Gilmour both made their NHL debut on Friday — and with others — like Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil seeing success in Hartford — the future for the team seems bright.
Next: Roundtable: Would you rather trade Zuccarello or McDonagh?
As one of the most important players on the roster, hopefully, it can be bright enough for Lundqvist to stay in New York.