Fansided

One player from each NHL team who should be on the NHL 18 cover

By David Rouben

Nov 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) prepares to throw pucks to the crowd after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) prepares to throw pucks to the crowd after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) guards his net during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) guards his net during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist

If ever there was a tweet that summed up Henrik Lundqvist, it would be this one. Because of his dashing good looks, and the fact that he plays in the most famous arena in sports, he’s one of the most recognizable faces in the NHL. But he backs it up with consistently great play, and always makes the Rangers look better than they really are.

He went from a seventh round pick in 2000, and wasn’t even the first “Lundqvist” drafted that year, to one of the two best goalies in the league. He’s been nominated for the Vezina five times, but only won it once. That was in 2012, when he won 39 games and put together a .930 save percentage. That’s the best save percentage of his career, but his average is a remarkable .921.

Offensively, the Rangers are an average team. Their top-line center is Derek Stepan, and while Rick Nash is great, he always tends to disappear in the playoffs. They have a good blue line anchored by Ryan McDonagh, but they’re always among the best teams in goals against because of Henrik Lundqvist. His worst season was 2007-08, but he still won 37 games and had a .912 save percentage. And in 11 NHL seasons, he’s only missed the playoffs once.

He’s off to another great start this season, but he’s getting some more offensive support, particularly from new acquisition Michael Grabner and standout rookie Jimmy Vesey. Given all that he’s done, Lundqvist deserves a Cup.

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