Where does Henrik Lundqvist rank among NY sports icons of the last 30 years?

Certainly, no one wore a suit better. Nor did anyone in blue mind the net better. Hail, hail, Henrik Lundqvist. Long live The King, one of the finest ever to don a uniform in any sport in New York.

But where, exactly, does Lundqvist -- who announced his retirement on Aug. 20 -- rate among the big town’s beloved sports icons of the last 30 years? 

Is he up in the rafters with the likes of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Eli Manning? Or does he rank lower, perhaps in a tier with David Wright, Patrick Ewing and Don Mattingly?

Nice company, either way. And that should be the point as we consider Hank’s career in New York.

Lundqvist was something special and you don’t have to know his stats as the Rangers goalie – for the record, they’re awesome – to see that. The mere mention of his name, or that phenomenal nickname, will always make Rangers fans happy. He should never pay for a meal around here again.

But we live in an age that compels us to quantify everything, too, even if a great, graceful career is measured to be slightly short of what other stars accomplished, even as they commanded New York’s attention and devotion.

So Lundqvist must sit among the greats-who-didn’t. He’s a Forever Icon here, but he’ll have to settle for second tier, behind the Jeters of the world. As wonderful as he was as a Ranger and as captivating as he was as a personality, Lundqvist did not win a title and that’s a separator in conversations like these, right? He can still be your favorite player of all time – so can Mattingly or Wright.

Jeter won five World Series. So did Rivera. Manning won two Super Bowls. Lawrence Taylor won two, too, and might be the greatest defensive player who ever lived. Mark Messier, though no lifelong Ranger, placed himself on the highest city stratosphere with his work during the 1994 Cup run. Michael Strahan, also a Super Bowl champ, perhaps added luster to his status with a popular second career in broadcasting.

Ewing, as great as the Knicks’ center was, doesn’t have a ring. Neither does Wright, Curtis Martin or Mike Piazza. They transformed their franchises, had championship chances but didn’t win it all.

Mattingly, the greatest Yankee through barren times, got one taste of the playoffs, was dynamic against the Mariners in 1995 and retired the year before his club won for the first time in 15 years and morphed into a dynasty.

That sequence of events might make Mattingly’s playing career all the more poignant now. If the Yankees can’t win the World Series this year, wouldn’t you like to see Mattingly manage the Marlins all the way? Donnie Baseball would finally get one. It’d be only right.

The players in Lundqvist’s tier had their own swings at a title, but didn’t get there. Frankly, that’s part testament to how difficult it is in modern sports to win it all.

Wright, the greatest homegrown position player in Mets history, got his shot in 2015 and even homered in the World Series. The Rockets stopped Ewing’s bid in the NBA Finals. Piazza had the 2000 World Series.

And Lundqvist had the 2013-14 Stanley Cup Finals, when the Rangers lost to the Los Angeles Kings in five games. There were a couple of other runs and Lundqvist was a brilliant playoff performer – he holds franchise records in playoff starts (117), wins (61), shutouts (10) and save percentage (.921).

His whole career was brilliant, so much so that the Rangers, in a farewell tweet in 2020, thanked him, in part, for “being New York sports.”

Well put. He was compelling on and off the ice. It never looked like a burden to him to play New York. Lundqvist looked like he belonged at Fashion Week almost as much as he belonged in the crease.

The 39-year-old native of Åre, Sweden, played 15 years for the Rangers, starting back in 2005, and was the face of a famous team. Without question, his No. 30 jersey will be retired one day.

He established his own foundation that raised more than $3 million for charities in New York, Sweden and the Dominican Republic. He gave us a blueprint on how to act, posting on social media his thanks to teammates, Rangers staff and fans when he moved on to join the Washington Capitals.

“This great city has now been my home for a long time,” Lundqvist said. “So much to love about this place. Sure, it’s not always perfect but it’s pretty close ;) I know we are facing some challenges as a city so let’s do what New Yorkers do best in these times, come together and get back to where we want to be!

“Be kind, respectful and supportive of others. Like one of my good friends always says, ‘Good things happen to good people.’ In some ways, I feel like I grew up here and I will forever appreciate you, New York City! I’ll see you around!”

He’ll always be appreciated here, too. If his career fell short of those who hold titles, so be it. He’s still New York royalty.

THE DECISION

In the pantheon of New York Sports Icons of the last 30 years, here’s where Henrik falls…

The Greats: Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Eli Manning, Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan, Mark Messier,

The Greats Who Are Missing That Particular Line On Their Resumés: David Wright, Don Mattingly, Patrick Ewing, and Henrik Lundqvist.

We Like You, Too: Curtis Martin, Wayne Gretzky (hey, he’s the greatest hockey player ever – we have to include him, even if his NYC stay with the Rangers was brief), Martin Brodeur (all-time great who won Cups, yes, but not technically in New York. But also too good to leave out).