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What if "King Henrik" never emerged with the Rangers?

In what will be the 100th season of New York Rangers hockey, there is so much history to look back on. One of the biggest what if moments for the team involves a franchise legend who transformed the organization.
ByJustin Bonhard|
Jan 28, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers former goalie Henrik Lundqvist watches with his family as his banner is raised to the ceiling during a ceremony to retire his number before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jan 28, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers former goalie Henrik Lundqvist watches with his family as his banner is raised to the ceiling during a ceremony to retire his number before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

In what will be the 100th season of New York Rangers hockey, there is so much history to look back on. Many of the game's legends made their mark donning the Blueshirts uniform, and personified their legacy with this incredible franchise.

One of those legends came from the most unlikely of places, coming from the seventh round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, all the way from Are, Sweden. Still, after all of these years, it begs to answer the question of how much different the Rangers' history books would look without the arrival of Henrik Lundqvist?

How much would have changed?

Goaltending dynasty skips a generation

If there was one thing to put on the mantle for the Rangers' history wall, it is that there is an incredible line of amazing goaltenders. Eddie Giacomin, Mike Richter, John Vanbiesbrouck, and finally, Gump Worsley. There is one more name that stands above all of those legendary goalies, and that is Lundqvist, who might have been a great goaltender elsewhere, but was iconic on Broadway.

Had Lundqvist not broken through from the seventh round selection, overcome unbelievable odds, we would have never witnessed one of the greatest goaltenders of all time. Even more, the Rangers would have a large hole connecting the 15 years between Kevin Weekes and their current goaltender, who might not be the next in line for generational goaltending talent, Igor Shesterkin.

#30 never gets retired

Even though the Rangers are still without a Stanley Cup victory since 1994, the probability of them getting one without the emergence of Lundqvist is likely not going to be any different than having him. In fact, I would bet dollars to donuts that the Rangers would not have been as great as they were over the 15-year span of "The King's" reign, with another goaltender.

Lundqvist was such a presence on the ice, and he captured the hearts of millions of Rangers fans. He made such an everlasting impact that no other player will wear the #30 jersey for this organization for the rest of time. And then, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023. What an amazing accomplishment for a player who has not won a Stanley Cup.