N.Y. Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist's Reign at Madison Square Garden Draws to a Close

From the desk of: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

THE KING

The first thing that comes to mind is my son and our time spent together at Rangers games.  I invested in a pair of season tickets when hockey returned from the lockout.  It was Henrik's rookie season and since day one we both knew the Rangers were in good hands.  I gave up the tickets a couple of years ago.  But for the better part of the last fifteen seasons my son and me paid loyal tribute to our Liege.  Henrik is what my son knows best.  Whereas I have Ed Giacomin, John Davidson, Beezer, and Mike Richter to compare him by.  I certainly mean no disrespect to Gump Worsley, but think it safe to say Henrik Lundqvist is the greatest goalie in New York Rangers history.  In fact, to date only five goalies in NHL history have earned more career victories than The King.  Marc-Andre Fleury is the lone active goalie with slightly more wins than Henrik.

• Career Record: 459-310-96   .918 SV%   2.74 GAA   64 Shutouts
• 61 Playoff Victories   .921 SV%   2.30 GAA   10 Shutouts
• 2011-2012 Vezina Trophy

The respective emergence of Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev make it plainly clear a new era of Rangers hockey is upon us - ever since general manager Jeff Gorton stood at the podium informing the media of the club's future intentions.  Henrik appeared in 30 games this season and did not appear in any games after the NHL return.  Last season, at 36-years of age, Henrik in 52 appearances posted a career low .907SV% and a career high 3.07 GAA.  

The Rangers are buying out the final year of his contract.  With any luck Henrik will sign a free agent contract with a contending team and win a Stanley Cup before his playing days are through.  In the meantime, I'm going to avoid going through Glen Sather's failure to reconcile the position of center and Rick Nash's major post-season shortcomings during the Liege's reign.

After Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky signed off, no one made the New York Rangers a topical subject on basketball biased sports radio like Henrik Lundqvist did during his formidable years minding net at Madison Square Garden.

He is and forever will be to New York Rangers fans, The King.

My son and I will be sure to be in attendance when they lift his #30 to the rafters.