Rangers buy out Lundqvist

So long, king.

Franchise legend Henrik Lundqvist will buy the final season of his contract from the New York Rangers, the team announced on Wednesday.

The decision ends a 15-year partnership between Rangers and Lundqvist, who created a Hall of Fame resume on Broadway but will win a Stanley Cup without it.

“Few players have been as important to the Rangers franchise as Henrik Lundqvist and we are incredibly grateful for all he has done for our organization,” said James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman of MSG Sports, in a statement. During his tenure, he not only established himself as one of the best goalkeepers ever to play the game, but was also one of hockey’s fiercest competitors and most effective ambassadors. He will always be part of the Rangers family. “

New York is set to be in full swing with the combination of Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev for a promising season with the likely addition of Alexis Lafreniere, the number 1 draft pick.

Lundqvist was supposed to cost the Rangers $ 8.5 million for the salary cap in the seventh and final season of a $ 59.5 million contract signed in 2013 but is now set to $ 5.5 million or the borrow the same amount of money that he owes in real dollars.

New York is adding to the tide of dead money on its books with the buyout, and the decision to sever ties immediately will result in the Rangers receiving a minor fine the following season as well, but they will still get an estimated salary of over 20 million US dollars have cap space after the 38-year-old netminder has let go, according to CapFriendly.

Lundqvist made 30 appearances in his final season with Rangers and failed to match Shesterkin and Georgiev’s efficiency in the worst statistical season of his career.

He is free to sign with another team if he so wishes while earning the remaining money on his contract once the buyout is official.