New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist legacy similar to a former New York legend
The end is drawing near for New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist. He doesn’t have many years left. He will be remembered like another New York legend.
The goalie. The last line of defense. Through the years, the New York Rangers have sported some of the best goaltenders in the league.
Ed Giacomin and Gump Worsley are two from back in the Rangers early glory days. John Vanbiesbrouck is a name that brought the team through the eighties. Of course, the one that needs no introduction is the great Mike Richter.
And then there is “the King”. They call him Hank. He has won 449 games for the Rangers over the years. He is sixth on the all-time goalie wins list. Who are we talking about? Why am I even asking? You know his name.
We are talking about Henrik Lundqvist. Duh!
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We have been there for all of the great saves, and there have been some outstanding saves through the years.
Men shouldn’t be able to contort their bodies the way Lundqvist can. I’m just saying.
The fans have seen him through all of the brilliant wins and the heartbreaking losses, especially in the playoffs.
He only did get to the finals once and that was against a far better Los Angeles Kings team in June of 2014.
While there has been no talk of anything being imminent, we are obviously closer to the end with Hank than the beginning.
Retirement isn’t likely too far out on the horizon.
As his play has somewhat diminished, some fans have already turned on Lundqvist. He has recently been called “five hole Hank” and others have commented how they can’t wait for him to be off the team.
The feelings about Hank are very mixed. He’s the greatest that the team has ever had, statistically. But, he hasn’t been able to win the big one. There are fans that are lukewarm on this guy, despite his greatness.
So what will his legacy be when he is gone? How will Henrik Lundqvist be remembered in New York?
I will tell you.
He will be remembered like another New York legend. There once was a guy who played in this town. He was the face of his franchise and we was a terrific player. But, he couldn’t win the big one. He never delivered that title.
His name? Patrick Ewing.
dark. Next. Blueshirts excelling at being not so good
Think about it. They are unbelievably similar.
Lundqvist has been with the Rangers for 11 seasons, Ewing was with the Knicks for 15. Hank went to one final and Patrick went to two.
Both were the faces of their respective franchises.
Lundqvist went to the all-star game in five out of eleven seasons, Ewing went in 11 out of 15.
And both were more beloved after they left their team than when they were on it. Both were the guy that couldn’t win the big one. After Ewing was gone he was beloved in the city of New York.
That will happen when Lundqvist is gone. You watch. Even those of you that knock him now. You will miss him when he is gone.