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An offseason of core-splitting featuring the buyout of Dan Girardi and the trade of Derek Stepan has struck home for the Rangers’ senior and most important player.
“You expect changes every year because that’s just part of the business we’re in, but this summer has been a little different because of the magnitude of the moves,” Henrik Lundqvist told The Post in an email from his home in Sweden. “Losing guys that you have played with for so long will obviously affect you on a personal level.
“These are players you get to know really well over the years. You care for them and their families. We’re all going to miss them.”
Girardi, eligible to become a free agent on Saturday, had joined Lundqvist on Broadway during the 2006-07 All-Star break. Stepan, sent to the Coyotes last week for the seventh-overall selection in the draft and Anthony DeAngelo, had been part of the squad since the start of 2010-11.
“That being said, we understand that it is part of the business,” said the King, who is entering his 13th season as a Ranger. “At the same time, it is exciting to be part of an organization that does everything it can to put the best team possible out on the ice.
“It puts us all on our toes and helps us all push forward to continue to improve as individuals and as a team.”
Lundqvist said the left knee injury he sustained in helping to lead Team Sweden to a gold medal in last month’s World Championship tournament is healing on schedule and will not have any impact on his preparation for the upcoming season.
“It hasn’t changed my offseason plan,” said the 35-year-old goaltender, who will have a new backup in the wake of Antti Raanta’s departure to the desert as part of the Stepan deal. “I always take three weeks off after the season, start with light workouts and begin skating in late July.
“That will stay the same this year. I will be ready for camp and for the season.”
http://nypost.com/2017/06/29/henrik-lundqvist-is-having-a-hard-time-with-rangers-shakeup/
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