TARRYTOWN. The questions about Henrik Lundqvist's situation in the New York Rangers are piling up.
Now "The King" himself talks about what he calls an "extreme situation", how he looks at the future - and the speculation that places him in Colorado, among other things.
- We have discussions internally. We'll see. We'll see what happens, says Lundqvist.
Henrik Lundqvist, who turns 38 in just under two weeks, is going through his heaviest period in the NHL career right now.
He, who has had 11 seasons with at least 30 wins, now has a full chance to get together 30 starts during the season.
Since New Year, Henrik Lundqvist has only started four games. Away to Detroit, he had a shutout - for the first time since November 2017 - but the other three have ended up in the loss column. Against Dallas on February 3, he was replaced after two periods. In 15 shots, four got in behind him.
The main reason for Lundqvist's more obscure role is Igor Shesterkin. The Russian super talent was picked up to Rangers in early January. Since then, Shesterkin, 24, Alexander Georgiev, 24, and Lundqvist have been rotated in an unconventional attempt to keep three NHL goalkeepers running in the same team at the same time. But recently, Rangers coach David Quinn went on to explain that the goal was no longer to keep all three warm, and that Shesterkin was the team's first goalkeeper.
On Tuesday, Rangers trained at the training facility in Tarrytown north of New York, and while stars like Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad went around tanning and napping, he, who has been the King of New York for almost 15 years, didn't look like having fun at work . He does not know when he will be in Rangers goal next time.
- I take it day by day, have been doing it for quite some time. I try to train well and keep up. And hopefully ... it will be something good, says Lundqvist after the training.
What would it be that is good?
- Eh, yes ... I don't have much to say about that right now. It's clear ... I want to play. That's what it's all about. It hasn't been much in the last two months
The situation is as it is. It is very different. Yes, that's what I have to say right now.
How are the discussions with Quinn?
Long silence.
- Yes ... How are they ...?
Long silence again.
- Hard to say. Well, but I will get some games. But it doesn't look like I'm going to play very much.
The NHL's trade deadline is February 24. For a long time Rangers were expected to try to replace Georgiev, who has an outgoing contract, but Georgiev is still there and in recent times there has been more and more written about a possible opportunity for Rangers to do what until very recently seemed absolutely incredible - move on Henrik Lundqvist.
When did you last talk to general manager Jeff Gorton, what does that dialogue look like?
- Eh, I've had discussions during the season. That's ... that's what I'm saying.
Have you discussed that you should release the no trade clause?
- No comments.
It wasn't a no ...
- As I say, the focus is on the workouts and doing it as well as I can. Then… the discussions we have, we keep them in-house, it's not something we talk to you about.
It is probably one thing to keep the body going, but it is another thing mentally when it becomes such a situation?
- Yes, but it's clear. Besides maybe a year in Frölunda when I entered the a-team, I have been the first goalie my entire career. It's a certain role, it's a certain approach when you go out and play. You know you're playing.
- This, the last two months really, especially the last two months, has been very different. It was a change already last year when we would start playing more younger and different rotation than it has been the other 13 years. But the league goes in that direction, you play less. Now it becomes an extreme situation, since we are three. But of course, physically you can keep going. No problem. The body feels very good. There is more match focus and so on ... When you play, you get in and fight. It won't be as it usually feels, but you really have to work hard to find that feeling. That's it.
One of the teams that seems to be going strong towards the playoffs, but still has a vulnerability on the goalkeeper side - and thus could be interested in a seasoned goalkeeper who has won big games - is the Colorado Avalanche.
The buzz about the team's goalkeeping hunt became even stronger after Philipp Grubauer was injured during the outing against Los Angeles this weekend, and Avs now has to rely on unproven Czech Pavel Francouz.
Colorado's situation may not have escaped you either. How do you view such a scenario, if there would be a situation where there is a chance for more playing time, and a chance at the playoffs, and get a win?
- As said. We have discussions internally. That's where we keep them. We'll see. We will see what happens. I have nothing more to add actually. I don't want to add more right now. We'll see.
Another variant that bubbled up in the discussions about Lundqvist is he would be bought out by Rangers after the season, and possibly get some sort of job within the organization. In this way, Rangers could retain both of the other goalkeepers and get rid of some of Lundqvist's big salary cap hit, which now takes up $ 8.5 million for Rangers. Lundqvist's contract extends over the next season.
Would it be something that is of interest to you at all?
- It is such a discussion that one does not take now. It is further ahead. Right now, I'm focused on coming here, doing a good job and getting the chance to play. That's where I am. Everything else, it's for another time to discuss.
During the stressful period, Lundqvist tries to disconnect from hockey, although it is tough.
- It is clear that the family, the children, will get broken. But otherwise ... You think constantly ... You think more about hockey in a situation like this than when you play a lot, and it goes well. When you are in such an extreme situation with very little play it is clear that you analyze a lot and think a lot. You try to get those breaks from yourself a little ... Then the family is number one.
https://www.expressen.se/sport/hockey/nhl/det-ser-inte-ut-som-att-jag-kommer-spela-jattemycket/
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