Report: Henrik Lundqvist will require future heart surgery; almost played again this season
Henrik Lundqvist revealed in an exclusive interview with GP reporter, Johan Rylander that he will need another surgery in the future. The translations below were assisted by Johan to Forever Blueshirts for the U.S audience.
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Lundqvist will require a future surgery
Last January, Henrik opted to not have a mechanical valve which would have hindered his chances of coming back and put him on blood-thinning medication. The 39 year-old opted instead to replace the valve with one made of cow tissue.
“I have to change it in the future,” he told Johan. As to what the procedure would entail is not fully known at this time. “We’ll see how extensive it will be. There’s progress, so we will see if the chest needs to be reopened or not.”
Lundqvist suffered a setback
The Swedish interview also revealed that Hank was close to a comeback with the Capitals this past season. How close? “It was three days before I was going back to Washington that I found out that I had pericarditis,” he said. “I was very close to coming back – it was very tough to go through that again, but this was a completely different thing – because it had nothing to do with the operation.”
“I got some kind of infection that attacked and sat around the heart in some way. It was quite painful,” Lundqvist explained about the condition. “I was completely overwhelmed for five days, lying with chest pains and feeling sick. I’ve had a couple of setbacks this spring – and this was a reminder. I didn’t want to end up there again. I have to listen to the body and land on this decision (to retire).”
Henrik happy about jersey retirement
Soon after his announcement, Lundqvist learned of the Rangers decision to retire his jersey this upcoming season.
“It’s a tremendous honor that they have chosen to retire my jersey. The association will always have a big part of my heart. That’s for sure,” the King said.
As for his future with the organization, he reiterates that now isn’t the time but he will certainly talk with James Dolan and the team soon. “I don’t know if it happens now. I have some investments here at home and away in the US that I want to get more involved in,” he began. “I will sit down and talk to Rangers about the future – but whether it’s now or later, I don’t know.”
Lundqvist ends his NHL career with a record of 459-310-96, a .916 SV% and a GAA of 2.43 with 64 shutouts. Simply remarkable numbers. He will forever be remembered for carrying the Rangers on numerous occasions, in particular the 2014 Stanley Cup run that fell short.
When his jersey is retired, it will be an emotional night across the hockey world.
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