Henrik Lundqvist and his family are currently living temporarily in Gothenburg. Something he usually does over the summer but for the first time in 15 years he is in Gothenburg already in April because of the corona pandemic that canceled the NHL season.
- It is a very strange time we are living in right now. In New York, especially, it is an extreme situation. So it felt good to come home and be close to family and friends.
The 38-year-old has done 15 seasons in the NHL and with the New York Rangers where he was nicknamed "The King of New York". But in the last season, the krone has begun to fall - at least in terms of playing time.
In February, Henrik Lundqvist was missing for the first time in the squad during his time in Rangers.
- Nothing lasts so clearly. Then you have a goal image and dream but then you have to adapt to the surroundings and reality.
But what exactly the target picture is today, Lundqvist himself does not know at present.
- That's a really good question. I've always seen myself play in the Rangers and last a very long time. It is quite a long time but now you are at an age where you have to take it year by year and see the situation and the conditions. Now you also have some time to think.
Luuk: How do you feel you're thinking?
- What I went through last winter was pretty tough to be honest. I have had a certain role and a position in the team for almost 15 years and even during the years I have played in Sweden, things have changed quite a lot now. So of course I was thinking a lot, daily, almost every hour for months and it gets pretty hard mentally.
- Now that we went home here I have tried to take and just live in the present and focus on the family and gather the thoughts so can. Sometimes you become your own enemy over how much you think about things.
See the entire program "Luuk & Hallberg" with Henrik Lundqvist as the first guest here.
Henrik Lundqvist has one year left on the contract with the New York Rangers.