So lengthy, King.

Franchise legend Henrik Lundqvist can have the ultimate season of his contract purchased out by the New York Rangers, the staff introduced Wednesday.

There are numerous stars on this league. There are few icons.

Quantity 30, from Åre, Sweden, Henrik Lundqvist: You all the time have been, and all the time will likely be, a Ranger. pic.twitter.com/i5uqUQ9oQz

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 30, 2020

The choice ends a 15-year partnership between the Rangers and Lundqvist, who constructed a Corridor of Fame resume on Broadway, however will exit with out successful a Stanley Cup.

“Few gamers have been as necessary to the Rangers franchise as Henrik Lundqvist, and we’re extremely grateful for all he has accomplished for our group,” stated James L. Dolan, Govt Chairman of MSG Sports activities in an announcement. “Over his 15-year tenure, he not solely established himself as among the finest goaltenders to ever play the sport, he has additionally been one in every of hockey’s fiercest rivals and handiest ambassadors. He’ll all the time be part of the Rangers household.”

New York will transfer full pace forward with the mixture of Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev for a promising season with the possible addition of No. 1 total draft decide Alexis Lafreniere.

Lundqvist was set to price the Rangers $8.5 million on the wage cap, on the seventh and last season of a $59.5 million contract signed again in 2013, however will now take up $5.5 million, or the identical sum of money he’s owed in actual {dollars}.

New York is including to the glut of lifeless cash on its books with the buyout, and the choice to sever ties instantly will imply that the Rangers incur a small penalty the next season as nicely, however they’ll nonetheless have over $20 million in estimated wage cap area after letting go of the 38-year-old netminder, in line with CapFriendly.

With #NYR anticipated to buyout



Henrik Lundqvist tomorrow, as reported by @DarrenDreger, Rangers will now have almost $13 million in lifeless cap area subsequent season.

Shattenkirk buyout $6.08 million

Lundqvist buyout $5.5 million

Girardi buyout $1.11 million

Spooner buyout $300ok

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 29, 2020

Lundqvist made 30 appearances in his last season with the Rangers, and didn’t match the efficiencies of each Shesterkin and Georgiev in what was the worst statistical season of his profession.

He will likely be free to signal with one other staff if he so chooses whereas incomes the remaining cash on his contract as soon as the buyout is official.

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