Henrik Lundqvist was on TSN 1050 radio earlier today and said the following about the Rangers:
- Would you consider going back to Sweden to play with Joel, "it's hard to say. I have at least another three-years in New York. I love being a Ranger and playing there but at the same time I got the opportunity to go home last year and play for team Sweden with my brother. It was a surreal moment to stand there and see the Swedish flag go up and stand there with my brother. Growing up we played on the same team and went to school together and the first time I really spent more than two days away from Joel was when I moved to New York as a 23-year old. It was a big change in my life, will I get another opportunity to play with him, I don't know. The thought is kind of cool but at the same time I really enjoy where I am at and being a big part of the Rangers. I take it year by year and try to make the most of it."
- On the Rangers heading into this season, "it was definitely a challenge going through last year. The first half felt so good, the best I have felt in years and then to go through the rebuild and sending guys out, we had a really young team toward the end and starting this season, I think it's hard to say where we are at and what type of goals we should have and it's something we have to discuss when the camp starts and see exactly how the team will look. Personally I approach the season the same way. I gotta go to myself and train as hard as I can and focus on my game and try to control the things that I can control and hope for the best here. I still believe if we can have a really strong team, a strong year, overachieve a bit, we can make some noise and try to get into the playoffs. People talk about rebuilds, how long it will take. Vegas was a great example of how when you get the pieces right, the right attitude you can turn things around fast, build a team fast but it's about getting the right pieces and making sure it glues together. It's exciting and nerve wracking at the same time to go into a season like this where there are a lot of question marks and start with yourself and preparations and make sure you are ready for when it's time."
- Did the Rangers approach you with the chance to move, "we had a discussion before the big announcement, they let me know what was going on, the plan. To me, I made a big commitment to the organization and they made a big commitment to me about four-years ago. That was really the only time I was thinking about where I was gong to be in the next five-six-ten years and for me it was a simple answer. I told my agent that I wanted to be in New York, I want to finish my career in New York and that is my goal and that is my dream. I know how things change in the hockey world and the they feel about me or whatever is working may not work in the future but there was no long or hard discussion when that was brought to the table last year. I want to stay here, I still believe that we can turn this around pretty fast. My goal is to win in New York. That is what pushes and drives me the most and I want to believe that it can happen before I retire."