Capitals Sign Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist

The Washington Capitals have signed goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

"Henrik is one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, and we are pleased to have him join our organization," said MacLellan. "Henrik has the competitive drive and the ability to help our team compete for a championship. We feel he will be an excellent fit for our team and provide leadership to our organization and our young goaltenders.
"We want to thank Braden Holtby for his many contributions to the Washington Capitals. Braden has built a legacy both on and off the ice that will have a lasting impact on our organization and on our community. Winning the Vezina Trophy in 2016, the Jennings Trophy in 2017 and helping the team win the Stanley Cup with his stellar play in 2018 cements his position as one of the best goalies of his era. Off the ice, he led by example and consistently made a positive impact across several important initiatives. We wish him and his family all the best moving forward."

Lundqvist, 38, is 459-310-96 with a 2.43 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and 64 shutouts in 887 NHL games over 15 seasons, all with the New York Rangers. In 130 career playoff games, Lundqvist is 61-67 with a 2.30 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage and 10 shutouts.
During the 2019-20 season, the 6'1", 182-pound goaltender registered a record of 10-12-3, a 3.16 goals against average and a .905 save percentage.
The Are, Sweden, native ranks sixth on the NHL's all-time wins list, eighth on the NHL's all-time appearances list, and 16th on the league's all-time shutouts list. Lundqvist's 459 career wins and 887 career appearances with the Rangers are the second-most a goaltender has recorded with one franchise in NHL history (trailing only Martin Brodeur with New Jersey). Lundqvist has earned more career NHL wins than any other non-North American born goaltender, and he also reached the 400-win plateau faster than any other goaltender in league history (727 appearances).

Lundqvist led the Rangers to the playoffs 11 times in a 12-season span from 2005-06 through 2016-17. The Rangers were not eliminated from playoff contention entering a game in 880 of Lundqvist's 887 career regular season appearances with the team. Lundqvist helped the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, when he went 13-11 with a 2.14 GAA, a .927 save percentage and one shutout in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In NHL postseason history, Lundqvist ranks seventh in saves (3,567), seventh in starts (130), eighth in time on ice (7,935:25), 10th in games (130), tied for 11th in shutouts and tied for 14th in wins.

Internationally, Lundqvist won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2006 Torino Olympics and a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He also helped Sweden win gold in the 2017 IIHF World Championship and silver in 2003 and 2004 IIHF World Championship.
Lundqvist was originally selected by the Rangers in the seventh round, 205th overall, of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.