Here’s my latest from nhl.com.
Peeved? That’s right.
Where is Lunkan?
Stop! Wait! I want a recount of the Florida votes! I can see that the All-Star Game voting has closed, and that even full rosters have been announced. The problem is, I can’t see Henrik Lundqvist’s name anywhere.
I thought the purpose of the All-Star Game was to showcase the stars of the game. The brightest stars, the biggest stars, and the best players. If that’s the case, “Hankenstein” had better be in Atlanta on January 27.
Although he might even prefer being somewhere else, maybe somewhere warm, somewhere where there are palm trees and he can just sit at the beach, play his guitar, and take it easy. It’s about the only time he can sit back and relax, the way the Rangers are playing.
Without “Hank,” the Rangers would really stink. But his numbers are just fine, thank you, with a save percentage of .906, and GAA at 2.41, perfectly in line with the goalies now traveling to Atlanta. Better yet, but let’s not get into that.
It’s just that Henrik Lundqvist is about the best spokesperson for the NHL there is. You want All-Stars? He’s a star. He’s the starting goalie of (one of) the most legendary franchise(s) in the League. He’s a two-time Vezina finalist, he’s an Olympic champion, he’s played 38 of the Rangers’ 44 games this season, and recorded 18 of the team’s 20 wins (plus two in shootouts). Simply, he’s a great goalie, as good as they come.
In addition to that, he’s tall, dark, handsome, and he’s got the movie star smile. He’s great with media, with fans, he’s funny, and witty.
Not convinced?
The first thing “Hankster” bought himself with his first NHL paycheck was a guitar. Read: he’s modest. A couple of years ago, he decided to surprise his mother with a little present, so he gave her a car. Read: he’s generous and loves his mom. The car was Henrik’s old BMW. Read: He’s down-to-earth.
Enough? No?
How about this. He finished second in the fans’ voting, about 120,000 votes ahead of Rick DiPietro, and 150,000 votes ahead of Tomas Vokoun, who are playing in the All-Star Game. Nothing against Rick or Tomas, both fine goalies, but … 175,000 votes say something, don’t they?
The Madison Square Garden merchants sell more Lundqvist sweaters than anyone else’s, by far; one of them sold me recently. More than, well, Scott Gomez, or Sean Avery, or Brendan Shanahan. Or Mark Messier.
That’s huge.
In short: “Lunkan” should be playing in the All-Star Game.
You may think that I’m sitting here, writing this wearing a Henrik Lundqvist T-shirt, or something.
Well, I’m not.
It’s in the laundry.
I’m actually thrilled he wasn’t selected (and not because the announcement was made the day after one of his worst games ever). He hasn’t been himself lately, in large part because he’s been worried about his father recovering from brain surgery (of course, he won’t blame that for his slump, but the connection is obvious). Hopefully, he’ll go back to Sweden during the break and take care of what needs to be done.
And even if he was selected, I’d want him to forgo the game to see his dad. (And were that the case, you could definitely add that to the list of why he’s such a great person.)
He may not be an All Star, but he’s definitely a STAR. And I’d say that even if he wasn’t on my Rangers!
Well said, Bru! The man sure is a star.