A New Jersey Devils Fan’s Well Wish To Henrik Lundqvist

I have to be honest New Jersey Devils fans, I never thought I would be writing something like this. After the devastating news former rival Henrik Lundqvist received on Thursday, I felt an obligation to pay some respects.

After what can only be described as a legendary career with the New York Rangers, the future Hall of Fame goaltender signed a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals in an attempt to finally capture the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, Lundqvist has been diagnosed with a heart condition that has been determined as unplayable.

Obviously, not many Devils fans were a fan of him while he spent 15 years in New York. He was nothing but a major pain in the butt, essentially dominating our favorite team outside of the 2006 and 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Still, those same fans had nothing but respect for this man’s game. He always seemed to just take it to the next level when it came time to take on the rivals from New Jersey. I will certainly not miss all of the losses he handed us.

But I will say this, there is nobody that deserves a Stanley Cup more than Henrik Lundqvist, except for maybe Joe Thornton. Both of them moved on to different teams after long tenures with one club in an effort to reach the pinnacle of this sport. I was insanely excited for the 38-year-old veteran to help out Washington and possibly bring the cup back to D.C.

The hilarity that he might have been able to go all the way in one try with a team actually poised to make a run as opposed to the team he stayed loyal to for 15 years, who also happen to be our most hated rival, would have just been icing on the cake. But in all seriousness I have wanted Lundqvist to win a cup for a while, just not with the Rangers, obviously. So I was absolutely ready for the Capitals season and possibly giving a crown to the “king”. But that will not happen, at least for this season.

Henrik Lundqvist, you were a pain in my side for 15 years. But please, get better soon. I wish you nothing but a speedy and healthy recovery and hope to see you back on the ice in 2021-22.