It's an interesting scenario really...you got a guy here in Lundqvist who's obviously been the best goalie from the second lockout on (2005), right? I don't think it's particularly close either...so you got a name brand there, a good model for consistency...maybe a little light on the postseason resume, but we can't all have shutdown goalies...
On the flip side, this contract does not kick in until Lundqvist is 32...yeah, he's that old already...so we're talking down side of his career here, you'd think...it's a tough spot. He's clearly the best goalie in franchise history, he's one of the best players in franchise history - which says a lot for an O6 team...now he's truly a career Ranger...really, they're damned if they do, damned if they don't...this is the price tag you pay to not have to guess with someone else...
Now, too, let's remember...this isn't $8.5 million of "new" money...this is just a $1.625M/yr raise...that kind of figure will be washed out with the Canadian TV deal's effect on the salary cap...so it's not exactly crippling, they were already paying this basically...but now they're paying it on the - you'd think - down side of his career...
I don't care much for the big goalie deals, I don't find the need for them to be executed in today's game...but if you're going to go for one, at least it's with an elite goaltender like Lundqvist...instead of a two-bit schlub like Corey Crawford or Jonas Hiller for a couple million less...
Crawford vs. Rask
Quick vs. Brodeur
Thomas vs. Luongo
Niemi vs. Leighton
Fleury vs. Osgood
Osgood vs. Fleury
Giguere vs. Emery
Ward vs. Roloson
Khabibulin vs. Kiprusoff
Brodeur vs. Giguere
Yeah, goalie is the most important position in the game...womp...
Best goalie the past few seasons for sure, but wowzers... that is a lot of money. Was Lundquist not interested in giving any discount at all or is Sather just a horrible negotiator?
Sather has always been like Holmgren/Clark -- throw the most money at them first so no one else will want to try to match it. It also makes them feel like big dogs in the yard, because they can. It doesn't really work or anything, but it looks impressive.
Crawford vs. Rask
Quick vs. Brodeur
Thomas vs. Luongo
Niemi vs. Leighton
Fleury vs. Osgood
Osgood vs. Fleury
Giguere vs. Emery
Ward vs. Roloson
Khabibulin vs. Kiprusoff
Brodeur vs. Giguere
Yeah, goalie is the most important position in the game...womp...
Its not a bad contract in reality. Its just a nice raise and provides stability in a position that has become difficult to predict. No matter how much one may see goalies as being not as important anymore, having a goalie you know is going to provide you the best opportunity to win is a must. Add in the fact he is arguably one of the greatest Rangers of all time and he must stay in NY. Couple that with next year's cap raise, plus the future raises and this contract will slowly begin to be forgotten.
Rylan wrote:Its not a bad contract in reality. Its just a nice raise and provides stability in a position that has become difficult to predict. No matter how much one may see goalies as being not as important anymore, having a goalie you know is going to provide you the best opportunity to win is a must. Add in the fact he is arguably one of the greatest Rangers of all time and he must stay in NY. Couple that with next year's cap raise, plus the future raises and this contract will slowly begin to be forgotten.
Rylan wrote:Its not a bad contract in reality. Its just a nice raise and provides stability in a position that has become difficult to predict. No matter how much one may see goalies as being not as important anymore, having a goalie you know is going to provide you the best opportunity to win is a must. Add in the fact he is arguably one of the greatest Rangers of all time and he must stay in NY. Couple that with next year's cap raise, plus the future raises and this contract will slowly begin to be forgotten.
Agree.
Second.
Like him or not, it's hard to argue that Henry has not been the top goaltender league wide for the past five years. I'd take Henry at 8.5 over Letang at 7.5 in a heartbeat.
Rylan wrote:Its not a bad contract in reality. Its just a nice raise and provides stability in a position that has become difficult to predict. No matter how much one may see goalies as being not as important anymore, having a goalie you know is going to provide you the best opportunity to win is a must. Add in the fact he is arguably one of the greatest Rangers of all time and he must stay in NY. Couple that with next year's cap raise, plus the future raises and this contract will slowly begin to be forgotten.
Agree.
Second.
Like him or not, it's hard to argue that Henry has not been the top goaltender league wide for the past five years. I'd take Henry at 8.5 over Letang at 7.5 in a heartbeat.
He's the best goaltender, but the Rangers have some huge decisions to make with Callahan, Brassard, Boyle, Zuccarello, Girardi, Del Zotto (more than likely traded this year), Falk, Moore. So, that larger cap hit is going to be a pain for them. However, there isn't a doubt in my mind that they buy out Richards to save Callahan, Boyle, Girardi.