2. Henrik Lundqvist, Goalie
Henrik Lundqvist deserved a contract extension (obviously), but perhaps not at $59.5 million. His Vezina winning play and his consistency proved he was worthy enough of the extension, but a lower price tag should have been on the table.
It was known that the Blueshirts would do just about anything for Lundqvist to stay in their Original Six sweater as long as they could, so that hefty price tag was almost inevitable. Then again, look at goalies who make seemingly nothing in comparison to Lundqvist and look where they are playing right now (ahem, Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray?)
Murray signed a three-year $2.775 contract in September, 2013 with the Penguins. His cap hit on the Pens’ salary cap was $628,333. Lundqvist’s was $8.5 million, and The King suffered a first round exit this year.
Of course, other factors come into play like the team that is playing in front of Murray, however he has been lights out all playoffs long, where fans saw Lundqvist had trouble against that very team.
The King’s contract includes a no move clause and expires after the 2020-21 season.
