Lundqvist remains committed to slumping Rangers: 'I want to be here'

With the New York Rangers crumbling - losing seven of their last 10 games - goaltender Henrik Lundqvist affirmed his commitment to the club Friday.

The Rangers have been ravaged by injuries to key players, and are reportedly exploring all opportunities to sell major assets ahead of the trade deadline. But even on the precipice of missing the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, Lundqvist is sticking by the only franchise he's ever known.

"The competitor in me wants us to have the best team possible right here and now. I'm not hoping we have a contending team in two or three years," Lundqvist told Larry Brooks of The New York Post. "But at the same time, even though it's hard to say because it kind of goes against myself, I feel so much for this organization, that whatever path they take, I'm in.

"I want to play for one organization. This one. I love it here. I want to be here and battle through the ups and downs, the good and the bad. It's important to me."

Lundqvist, 35, has three seasons remaining on the seven-year, $59.5-million contract he signed in 2013. He said he can't envision himself joining another team in pursuit of a Stanley Cup - the one omission from his Hall of Fame resume.

"The question has come up before about maybe having to go somewhere else to win it, but I don't think that way," Lundqvist said. "I've never felt the need for that."

The Rangers have missed the postseason just once during Lundqvist's tenure, and as the team's elder statesman, he's certainly done his part in keeping New York in the mix in 2017-18. In 42 starts, Lundqvist owns a .919 save percentage and he recently became the first goalie in NHL history to record at least 20 wins in 13 consecutive seasons.