Just before the draft start in Vancouver so
the American broadcaster NBC is rolling out
the news: the New York Rangers have changed their mind
star keeper Henrik Lundqvist and one
second choice for New Jersey Devils - i
exchange for a first choice for New York
Rangers.
The hockey world is leaking.
New York Rangers most expensive player, with 8.5
million dollars in annual salary - to the local competitor?
- It was so absurd it was not
many in my immediate circle who responded
on it, says Henrik Lundqvist at home in
Gothenburg.
And the battle between New York and New
Jersey never becomes a reality.
- It really came from nowhere. It is
a lot of rumors back and forth, it's angled
things here and there. I don't know from where it
Come! Really weird. It was someone who put on
the mistake afterwards? Or was it
the ostrich? Down with your head in the sand ...
In any case, it is clear that Henrik Lundqvist is
remains in the New York Rangers - and has the plan
to play out the contract that runs until year
2021. Although the competition from
Alexandar Georgiyev splits with Igor
Six-jerkin from the KHL team SKA St.Petersburg.
– So it always is! There is always someone coming
who want my place. I know how good first
half of last season felt. It's there
I want to reach again. Do we have a little better go in the team in
years so maybe you can keep all the way. I
know it's there. It just has to reach
up.
Last season it did not hold. Rangers management decided to rebuild
the team even more, the Norwegian Mats Zuccarello
was shipped to the Dallas Stars. Then it burst too
Henrik Lundqvist in front of the television cameras in
Rangers changing room.
- It was so much that happened in those weeks.
There was a lot that led to it
the reaction, much more than just Mats. The
were many emotions. Many that I've played
with, gone through a lot with, just
disappeared for a couple of seasons. They were
suddenly gone. It was one of the toughest
seasons that I've gone through mentally. The judging process was much tougher than I was
thought it would be ...
He continues:
- I think I fought well first
half of the season, it felt very good.
I joined the All star team. But it was
tough to reload when almost everyone was gone,
when we are where we were. Where we should be. A bit like that
was it.
Lundqvist has just trained a hard workout
with Frölunda HC on the ice in Frölundaborg.
Brother Joel failed to score on him
here during the training either.
- They have good speed when they drive! Roger
(Rönnberg) is constantly pushing, that it should
be intensity and speed. It's incredibly good
speed. It's good to feel it, because when we
other players who are home over
summer is running we can be eight,
sometimes ten. It's hard to keep up
the pressure, you can't handle it. You feel
a little slow when driving with Frölunda,
ha ha.
The 37-year-old looks good. He is
tan after the summer - and
the batteries are recharged. The amusement park in central Gothenburg has of course been visited
of the Lundqvist family. After the flop in the World Cup so
Henrik promised to go home and let the family,
with the children Charlise and Juli, comfort him.
- We usually promise the children two visits
Liseberg. Or three. There have been two. But
summer is not over, haha. Otherwise we have
had many visits. Friends from the US and
Sweden has come here and greeted. We have
relaxed by the sea, been in town, traveled part of
Europe. It's been a good summer.
The super-tall Kaapo Kakko was chosen as
number two in the draft this summer.
- I've had a great dialogue with John
Davidson, our new president. I knew
him from my first years in Rangers. Then
he worked on our TV channel. He was in
Rangers for 25 years, as a player and then as
TV anchor. Then he left before my
second year. He went to St. Louis and was there
seven years - and then to Columbus for five years. It
is fun he's back! He's one sharp
man, says Lundqvist.
So there is a chance that you might
belongs to a winning team again?
- When you have been in a club for 14 years, it increases
Of course, you run the risk of going through one of these
period. That it will be a rebuild, that you may take
the good with the bad. The important thing now is
just to take the next step - to be with it when
also turns before I get off the train.
Do you think so now that you see the end?
- Yes of course. I can't play to
forever. I have a few years left, but I don't know
how many. As long as I reach that level
I can, that we win, that we have a good bunch
- yes, then it's incredibly fun to play. Then there is
there is no need to do anything else.
No comments:
Post a Comment