Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
According to Katie Strang of ESPN, New York Rangers GM Glen Sather and Rangers all-star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist will set up meetings to negotiate and talk contract extension sometime this weekend.
Sather and the Rangers organization are looking to give Lundqvist a lifetime contract, and rightly so. Ever since Lundqvist has been with the team he has given them life, and it is very debatable that if he is not on this team that they are not even a playoff contender. He is that much of a factor for the Rangers, but is that just too much for one man to carry?
Yes, Lundqvist loves New York City and loves playing for the Rangers, which is why many think Lundqvist will be a Ranger for life but I will not be convinced of that until a contact is signed.
I cannot tell you what Lundqvist is thinking, but I can tell you that he is frustrated, especially at the way this season ended. What might come into play in these negotiations between he and Sather could be Lundqvist’s overall frustration with the lack of goal support and not having a Stanley Cup in his career.
Is his love of playing in the city that never sleeps and for the Rangers enough for The Blueshirts to keep him? Or does he want to move on to a different team that can ensure him goals and a Stanley Cup soon? All Rangers fans, including me, are praying that it is not the latter. I’m hoping Sather will brain-wash and tell him that the Rangers will be that team to give him goal support and a Stanley Cup soon. But will Lundqvist buy that? We all hope so.
Now even though Lundqvist’s contract does not end until after next season, the sooner they can reach an agreement and get a deal signed the better. Will a deal be finalized by the time of the NHL Draft this Sunday? I doubt it, but hopefully for us Rangers fans, Lundqvist will be a lifetime Ranger before the start of the regular season, because he is the most important player on the team and it would be absolutely devastating if he were to go play somewhere else. I think we can all agree with that.
