Report: Henrik Lundqvist will require future heart surgery; almost played again this season

henrik lundqvist jersey retirement
Oct 12, 2019; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) reacts after allowing a goal during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Henrik Lundqvist revealed in an exclusive interview with GP reporter, Johan Rylander that he will need another surgery in the future. The translations below were assisted by Johan to Forever Blueshirts for the U.S audience.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”847168″ player=”25579″ title=”Best%20NHL%20free%20agents%20still%20available%20for%20the%20202122%20season” duration=”116″ description=”As the 2021-2022 regular season looms near, there are a ton of NHL free agents still looking to sign with teams. While some key players come with speculation about signings, others could go just about anywhere and be valuable additions to many an NHL team. Key players from every position are still available, and could make huge impacts with new clubs and teams, or sign significant contracts to remain with their current teams. That said, check out our list of the best NHL free agents still available for the 2021-2022 season.” uploaddate=”2021-08-17″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/snapshot/847096.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/streaming/847096/847096.m3u8″]

Lundqvist will require a future surgery

Last January, Henrik opted to not have a mechanical valve which would have hindered his chances of coming back and put him on blood-thinning medication. The 39 year-old opted instead to replace the valve with one made of cow tissue.

“I have to change it in the future,” he told Johan. As to what the procedure would entail is not fully known at this time. “We’ll see how extensive it will be. There’s progress, so we will see if the chest needs to be reopened or not.”

Lundqvist suffered a setback

henrik lundqvist jersey retirement
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Swedish interview also revealed that Hank was close to a comeback with the Capitals this past season. How close? “It was three days before I was going back to Washington that I found out that I had pericarditis,” he said. “I was very close to coming back – it was very tough to go through that again, but this was a completely different thing – because it had nothing to do with the operation.”

“I got some kind of infection that attacked and sat around the heart in some way. It was quite painful,” Lundqvist explained about the condition. “I was completely overwhelmed for five days, lying with chest pains and feeling sick. I’ve had a couple of setbacks this spring – and this was a reminder. I didn’t want to end up there again. I have to listen to the body and land on this decision (to retire).”

Henrik happy about jersey retirement

Soon after his announcement, Lundqvist learned of the Rangers decision to retire his jersey this upcoming season.

“It’s a tremendous honor that they have chosen to retire my jersey. The association will always have a big part of my heart. That’s for sure,” the King said.

As for his future with the organization, he reiterates that now isn’t the time but he will certainly talk with James Dolan and the team soon. “I don’t know if it happens now. I have some investments here at home and away in the US that I want to get more involved in,” he began. “I will sit down and talk to Rangers about the future – but whether it’s now or later, I don’t know.”

Lundqvist ends his NHL career with a record of 459-310-96, a .916 SV% and a GAA of 2.43 with 64 shutouts. Simply remarkable numbers. He will forever be remembered for carrying the Rangers on numerous occasions, in particular the 2014 Stanley Cup run that fell short.

When his jersey is retired, it will be an emotional night across the hockey world.

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

Mentioned in this article::

More About: