Henrik Lundqvist, whose future with the Rangers is very much up in the air, recently spoke about what happened during the 2019-20 season and what could be in store for him moving forward.
"We'll see what happens in the future," Lundqvist remarked on the Luuk & Hallberg show. "A lot happened to me during the year, I played less."
He continued: "Nothing lasts forever, you have a goal image and dream, but one must also adapt to the surroundings and reality. This summer we will see what happens. I've always seen myself [playing for the] Rangers and [that lasting] for a very long time."
The 38-year-old Lundqvist, who is owed $5.5 million in 2020-21 during the final year of his deal, started just 26 of 70 games before the season was paused due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Before the Rangers called up top goaltender prospect Igor Shesterkin, much of the playing time in nets was going to Alexandar Georgiev.
If the 2019-20 season resumes, the league might go straight to the playoffs. And while the playoffs could be expanded this season, it's unclear whether the Rangers -- who had 79 points and were two points back of a wild card spot -- would be included.
The above means that Lundqvist might have already skated off the ice as a Ranger for the final time.
"I had a certain role in the team for almost 15 years," Lundqvist said. "I knew exactly the conditions. Now it changed sharply. So I think a lot daily, almost every hour, for months. It gets pretty hard mentally. Now that I am home I focus on my family and gather my thoughts. Then maybe I'll start thinking about the future for a while."
Mats Zuccarello, who was Lundqvist's teammate with the Blueshirts before being traded to the Stars last season, recently criticized the team for the way they have handled the Lundqvist situation.
"It's disrespectful," Zuccarello told VG. "He is getting older, yes, and they have another good keeper, but then they could let him play the games Shesterkin doesn't play."
He added: "It is absolutely haunting that he is treated that way. Did anyone ever think that this was going to happen Henrik Lundqvist? None."
Zuccarello also compared New York's current treatment of Lundqvist to how he was treated before being traded.
"I never thought it would happen to me, either. In my eyes, I was about to end (my career with the Rangers). I think Hank would, too," said Zuccarello. "Everything was going to be fine and great, but then the management decided (something else), and then you are not worth a damn."