There has been a lot of talk about what Henrik Lundqvist will do next. From the moment Igor Shesterkin started making noise in the AHL with the Wolf Pack, rumors of Hank’s future began. It eventually culminated last week with a buyout. Now speculation on his future is rampant.
New York Rangers rumors: Where will Lundqvist go?
There were many teams over the course of the season linked to Henrik Lundqvist. The top two destinations were the Carolina Hurricanes and the Colorado Avalanche. While they may still be landing spots, the rumor mill surrounding the Washington Capitals is churning quickly.
The Washington Capitals are in full blown win-now mode. Their future in goal is a kid named Ilya Samsonov. He’s a 23 year old rookie with just 22 NHL games to his name. With Braden Holtby leaving for free agency this summer due to cap constraints, Washington is in the market for a goalie to work with Samsonov.
Enter recently bought out Henrik Lundqvist, a goalie Alex Ovechkin and the Caps know extremely well. A future Hall-of-Famer who could be had on a one or two year deal for a million in base salary, loaded with incentives.
Mutual Interest?
Henrik Lundqvist’s decision may not be all about winning. Elliotte Friedman said at one point he was considering Arizona, citing quality of life. That’s difficult for me to understand, but having his children in NY schools is going to factor. He may want to stay close and the Capitals certainly makes sense.
Hank’s agent has been doing interviews this week and been very clear that his client is going to take his time making a decision. “I think one of the team’s that is considering it and is interested is Washington,” Elliotte Friedman said last night on Sportsnet.
The chatter around the hockey world is that the feeling is mutual and Henrik Lundqvist may sign there soon. So Henrik Lundqvist goes from the Garden’s bright lights to a new show Off-Broadway, “The King and Ovi”.
