It looks like King Henrik won’t be testing the free agency market after all.
According to multiple reports, Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers have agreed to a seven-year, $8.5 million per year contract extension. The 2012 Vezina Trophy winner had been scheduled to become a free agent after this season, and would have fetched a premium on the market.
The 31-year-old superstar is facing a battle for playing time with 26-year-old rookie Cam Talbot, who has played very well. Talbot has stolen some time of late, going 6-2 with a 1.79 goals against average and a .934 save percentage.
Lundqvist has spent his entire North American career with New York, posting a record of 284-182-57 with 47 shutouts. He also has an impressive career save percentage of .920, and has allowed 2.26 goals per game over his NHL career.
The native of Are, Sweden, who spent his formative years playing in the Vastra Frolunda system, led Sweden to the gold medal in the 2006 Turin Olympics. With all of his regular season and international success, Lundqvist has never played in the Stanley Cup Finals, posting a career playoff record of 30-37 and an astounding eight shutouts – 26 percent of his playoff victories.
By Marc Skipper
