Confirmed with Link: Rangers Buy Out Contract of Henrik Lundqvist

[Mac n Gs]

So much of my early fandom is tethered to idolizing Hank and Richter. This one really hurts, and it sucks that this is happening the day after another one of my favorite players just won the Cup last night.

Thanks for everything, Henke. You defined what it meant to be a Ranger for 15 years.

 

[Kupo]

Extremely disappointed. He could have retired a Ranger if they just moved Georgiev.

We don’t know what’s in his head. Hank may want to play another 3 years.

 

[Machinehead]

I will literally vomit and be forced to take the season off if that happens. Especially if I see any redneck f***ers here walking around in a Lundqvist Caps jersey. f*** me I would go insane.

If he were to sign in Washington, he's just one of them.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

I think that would be a good fit for him. I'd love to see him give it one go where he can either back up or split time with a goalie on a contender.

It just doesn't feel right that he retires without a Cup.

I'd literally root for him anywhere he went.

He's not getting a cup playing for the Country Club Caps.

 

[aufheben]

They're clearing an awful lot of money

I’m definitely scared.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Why can’t YouTubers ever make highlight videos without inserting their own music?

agree

 

[broadwayblue]

2014 should have ended differently. That will always be with me.

 

[Fataldogg]

He's not getting a cup playing for the Country Club Caps.

Who else could be a good fit for him now?

 

[Fataldogg]

2014 should have ended differently. That will always be with me.

It ended exactly as it should. They were completely over matched. No team with Rick Nash leading the way and a degrading Dan Girardi on the back end was going to compete with a team that had Kopitar, Doughty, Gaborik, Williams, Carter, and Quick.

Rangers were there because of Lundqvist [and because McDonagh was the back bone defensively]. They had no business hanging with the Kings.

 

[mrmovies779]

Shame it has to end this way,but its business unfortunately.Thanks for everything Hank

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Who else could be a good fit for him now?

Honestly, I don't know. I really don't think that team is out there. All the contenders have their goaltending situations taken care of.

 

[nyr2k2]

It ended exactly as it should. They were completely over matched. No team with Rick Nash leading the way and a degrading Dan Girardi on the back end was going to compete with a team that had Kopitar, Doughty, Gaborik, Williams, Carter, and Quick.

Rangers were there because of Lundqvist [and because McDonagh was the back bone defensively]. They had no business hanging with the Kings.

That will always be a tough one for me. No doubt LAK deserved to win. They played better. Still, losing three in OT--a two goal lead, three two goal leads in another game--it was eminently winnable. You know you didn't "deserve" it, but with a bounce here or there and maybe you get lucky. I feel like lots of winners in sports enjoy some degree of luck when they win it all. Coulda been us. Wasn't meant to be.

 

[mas0764]

I wanted him to stick around as a backup to Shesterkin and maybe get a Cup at age 42 or something with our new core; but that was sentimental and not apparently workable given what Henrik wanted.

 

[Fataldogg]

That will always be a tough one for me. No doubt LAK deserved to win. They played better. Still, losing three in OT--a two goal lead, three two goal leads in another game--it was eminently winnable. You know you didn't "deserve" it, but with a bounce here or there and maybe you get lucky. I feel like lots of winners in sports enjoy some degree of luck when they win it all. Coulda been us. Wasn't meant to be.

I agree. Luck plays a huge role in any win. And you have to think, if Zucc is 100% and in the line up, when the games are that close, he could have been a difference maker.

The series definitely could have gone 6 or 7 with some luck. But, the right team won. They were just better than the Rangers.

 

[Trxjw]

Sad to see it end this way but seems like it was the only option. Wish Hank had gotten a better send off but glad the front office is putting the team and it's future at the top of the list.

One of the best to ever put on the jersey. Absolute legend.

 

[Fvital92]

I’m definitely scared.

We will do something stupid, we can't win the 1st overall pick and trade Staal in the same offseason without some carma coming back. Too good to be true.

 

[mas0764]

They're clearing an awful lot of money

It’s for Eichel

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Why can’t YouTubers ever make highlight videos without inserting their own music?

The lyrics fit but the music just doesn't really mix with hockey content IMO. The person who made this just picked it because the song is about hall of fame etc.

Not a big fan of the abrupt ending either

 

[PuckLuck3043]

This was the only solution? Isn't this only saving 3 mil in cap space?

 

[will1066]

Sad to see it end this way but seems like it was the only option. Wish Hank had gotten a better send off but glad the front office is putting the team and it's future at the top of the list.

One of the best to ever put on the jersey. Absolute legend.

We will undoubtedly see the greatest homecoming celebration when his number gets raised. It will all be amended.

 

[LokiDog]

Expected and long anticipated/discussed but still gut wrenching. I was 15 when Leetch was traded. Not old enough to have fully appreciated him or understand how it feels to have a legend depart. This is the most painful departure, for me, of my entire 30+ year fandom. Having it end in a buyout is so... tainting and unfitting. Love the guy. He’ll be king Henrik forever.

 

[LokiDog]

I can see him taking a cheap contract in Colorado. I really wish he’d retire, even if we’re paying him his buyout money. I don’t want to see him in another sweater.

 

[JT Kreider]

This is so weird. When Sather traded Leetch, that was like top 5 most heartbreaking days or my life and I swore I would never forgive him for that.

Idk if that was just because I was 14 years old and it was hormones and that was the first true heartbreak I had ever experienced and now as a 30 year old I'm so jaded that I don't even care anymore, but the only thought is that I have immense respect for Gorton for having the balls to pull this off.

If he doesnt bring a Cup to NY his legacy will be "the guy who bought out the best player in franchise history".

 

[JT Kreider]

Who else could be a good fit for him now?

Vegas if they move Fleury and he is willing to sign there for the bare minimum as a 1b to Lehner who really has never proven he is capable of being a full time starter.

 

[JT Kreider]

Expected and long anticipated/discussed but still gut wrenching. I was 15 when Leetch was traded. Not old enough to have fully appreciated him or understand how it feels to have a legend depart. This is the most painful departure, for me, of my entire 30+ year fandom. Having it end in a buyout is so... tainting and unfitting. Love the guy. He’ll be king Henrik forever.

So weird I just posted this, except it is the opposite. I was 14 when Leetch was traded and when I found out I think I froze in place and I was inconsolable for days. Leetch was my all time favorite.

Now when I saw this news I was honestly just like "good for f***ing you Gorts".