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“It’s still a development year, but the one thing with the team that shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody is that Hank can carry a team,” Dolan said, citing Henrik Lundqvist. “I think our success up until this point is largely attributable to Hank, but that’s not what our plan is.
“Our plan, of course, is to stay with Hank but develop these kids and have a potent team besides the goalie. That’s coming along, but they’re young. The older guys, I think are contributing, but we’re not expecting to compete for a Stanley Cup this year.”
Lundqvist, who has been pulled from each of his last two games in allowing 11 goals on 50 shots in 81:18 and will back up Alexandar Georgiev on Tuesday, has of course pledged his fealty to the franchise on more than one occasion. No, he is neither jumping ship nor about to be pushed overboard.
“The real big difference between the Knicks and Rangers is Henrik,” Dolan said, in assessing the state of his two rebuilding franchises. “If the Knicks had a Henrik, they’d probably be competing for a playoff spot. No Henrik, no playoff spot.
“Hank is excellent about his conditioning, health, etc. He thinks he’s going to be here [for the payoff on the rebuild]. I think he can make it as long as [Martin] Brodeur. Maybe a little further on in his career we can give him a little more of a break here and there, but he’s an All-Star this year.
“It’s hard to find another Hank. Damn near impossible.”
https://nypost.com/2019/01/07/james-dolan-weighs-in-on-the-rangers-current-course/