By Jordan Long
Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has decided to walk away from the NHL after 15 years. His next stop should be the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Lundqvist started his career with the New York Rangers in the 2005-2006 season. That year, his record was an impressive 30-12-9 with a goals against average of 2.24 and a save percentage of .922. Even with the fantastic rookie season, he didn’t win the Calder Memorial Trophy for NHL Rookie Of The Year. That went to forward Alexander Ovechkin who scored 52 goals and added 54 assists for a total of 106 points.
Lundqvist would go on to win 30 or more games the next 6 years. His top year was 2012 when he recorded 39 victories. His goals against average was a fantastic 1.97 and a save percentage of .930. Lundqvist took home the Vezina Trophy for the NHL’s top goaltender. Lundqvist would add 30 or more victories from 2014 to 2017.
In the 2019 to 2020 season Lundqvist had his worst year in his career. His record was 10-12-3 with a goals against average of 3.16 and a save percentage of .905. Lundqvist was eager to show that was a fluke. He even agreed to a 1 year, $1.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals on October 9th, 2020 after the Rangers bought out the final year of his contract. Lundqvist never played a game for the Capitals dealing with a heart issue. He had surgery to repair it and didn’t return to the ice.
Lundqvist took his time and decided he couldn’t play the game anymore. According to ESPN, Lundqvist said, “For the last 30 years, I have devoted my life to the game of hockey … and now it’s time to walk away from the game I love and begin a new chapter. The future excites me. I’ve met so many amazing people over the years that will help to guide and inspire me in my new journey.”
Lundqvist was one of the best goaltenders to play in the NHL. His record is 459-310-96 with a goals against average of 2.43 and a save percentage of .918. His wins rank 6th in NHL history.
Lundqvist went to the playoffs 12 times with the Rangers. The furthest the Rangers went was the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, his only appearance. They lost to the L.A. Kings in 5 games. Lundqvist’s record in the playoffs was 61-67 with a goals against average of 2.30 and a save percentage of .921.
Lundqvist should be in the Hockey Hall Of Fame for his play. His wins tell his story. Sure the only piece missing is a Stanley Cup ring. There was no guarantee even if he played this year, he would win it. He is making the right decision and stepping away. Hopefully, Lundqvist will be enshrined. Time will only tell.
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