Rangers agree to terms with G Lundqvist

Jul 11, 2007 - 3:48 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Despite their offseason spending spree, the New York Rangers had enough left over for Henrik Lundqvist.

The Rangers agreed to terms with Lundqvist on Wednesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the New York Daily News reported on its web site that the star goaltender received a one-year contract worth between $2.5 and 3 million.

Since falling in six games to the Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference semifinals, New York has been a huge player in the offseason, signing centers Chris Drury and Scott Gomez to long-term deals on July 1, the first day of the free agency.

The Rangers also made the point to bring back left wing Brendan Shanahan and right wing Petr Prucha in recent days.

Despite the slew of signings, New York apparently has enough money for Lundqvist, who was rumored to be headed to arbitration as a restricted free agent.

Lundqvist went 37-22-8 with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in 70 games with the Rangers last season, his second with the club.

The 25-year-old ranked fourth in the league in minutes played (4,108) and tied for sixth in shutouts (five). He also recorded the second-most victories in a season in Rangers franchise history, trailing only Mike Richter's 42 in 1993-94.

A native of Sweden, Lundqvist had a breakout season as a rookie in 2005-06, going 30-12-9 with a 2.24 GAA in 53 games. He ranked fifth in goal-against average and fourth in save percentage (.922) en route to finishing third in the Vezina Trophy voting.

A seventh-round draft pick of the Rangers in 2000, Lundqvist was the starting goaltender during Sweden's gold medal win at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, going 5-1 with a 2.33 GAA and .907 save percentage.

He also helped his home country to a silver medal at the 2004 World Championships among a handful of international appearances.