Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the NY Rangers bought out Hank’s final year. The buyout had been rumored for weeks, but was finalized on Wednesday. Usually a thoughts post on the Henrik Lundqvist buyout would come the day. However given the circumstances and the emotions involved, it felt right to wait a day.
1. There’s a lot of chatter that the Rangers disrespected Lundqvist with the buyout. I don’t believe that to be true. Something like this, given that it’s Lundqvist, is discussed with him. This wasn’t a shocker to Lundqvist, he knew it was coming and he agreed to it.
2. Why would Lundqvist agree to it? It has nothing to do with the three-goalie system. If the Rangers and Lundqvist didn’t want to end it this way, he’d still be here. This is because Lundqvist believes he can still be a starter, and the Rangers are ready to move to Igor Shesterkin. There’s no fault on either side here. Both player and team are moving in different directions, just one year before the contract expired.
3. The three goalie system could have been resolved if Hank was ok with being a backup. Georgiev could have been traded. The Rangers gave the face of their franchise the decision, and they came to a mutual decision together. Or at least that’s how I’m reading how this played out.
4. The big thing now is that the Rangers have time to evaluate both Shesterkin and Georgiev. Shesterkin, even with the hype, has only played 12 NHL games. He’s far from a guarantee. He’s looked great and he’s got the inside track to be the heir apparent. But he needs more time. Georgiev, whom the Rangers really like, is the best insurance policy a team could have.
5. There’s a lot of ink spilled on the buyout cap hits, but if anything it stops the Rangers from making bad investments this offseason. This is a critical one for the Rangers, and having less money to work with is probably a good thing. It will keep RFA costs down and deals shorter. It also stops them from making an ill-advised splash in this underwhelming crop of UFAs.
6. I’d expect the Rangers to extend Georgiev for two years. That takes him to his age-26 season and one year left in restricted free agency. By then, they will know who the goalie of the future is. The other will be traded.
7. Reminder: Shesterkin is two months older than Georgiev. For what it’s worth.
8. Hank’s next destination is a fun debate. Japer’s Rink thinks the Caps should go after him, and that’s a good fit. If Devan Dubnyk is out in Minnesota, I see Hank going there to be with Mats Zuccarello. If Marc-Andre Fleury is done in Vegas, maybe Hank goes there. Vegas and Washington can win a Cup. That’s what I want – I want Hank to win a Cup. I’d love to see Colorado dump a goalie and make a run at Hank.
9. This thoughts post, on Henrik Lundqvist’s buyout, was one I never actually thought I’d have to write. I tried to be as objective as possible. Except for the next, and final, bullet point.
10. It is a damn shame that neither Glen Sather nor Jeff Gorton got this legend a Stanley Cup. They both had issues committing big money to the wrong players, which led to flawed rosters. Add in a trio of coaches that, at the time they were (or are) here, were/are very stuck in their ways. That led to bad deployment and worse players getting more ice time.
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