Post-heart surgery health, NHL playoffs, style

The most moving and arduous moments of Henrik Lundqvist’s life unfolded over a period of 12 months.

First, he moved from his team of 15 years, the New York Rangers, to the Washington Capitals in September 2020. Then came the shocking news that he would need open-heart surgery, forcing him eventually to walk away from the game he loved.

It was all caught on camera – culminating with his retirement from the No. 30 jersey in front of a sold-out Madison Square Garden in January 2022. The film, aptly named “Open Heart,” was directed by Jonathan Hock (an ESPN “30 for 30 veteran) and will debut in June at the Tribeca Film Festival. Lundqvist said the film’s central question is what all athletes have to deal with when they stop playing.

And after?

“When I retired, I knew I didn’t really have a choice, really. It was time to start looking to the future,” Lundqvist told USA TODAY Sports. “I’m enjoying my time on the ice so much. It makes me very happy when I think about it. But I’m also excited for what’s to come.”

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Lundqvist is not far from the spotlight. He almost immediately began doing studio broadcast commentary for Rangers broadcasts on MSG Network. And he also became a regular on TNT studio coverage, joining the team of Wayne Gretzky, Anson Carter, Paul Bissonnette and host Liam McHugh for the Eastern Conference Finals – where the Panthers Florida swept the Carolina Hurricanes – and will stay there for the Stanley Cup. Final. This will be the first Cup final broadcast on TNT.

Lundqvist spoke more about the film, the start of its broadcast journey, the NHL playoffs and more with USA TODAY Sports.

The questions and answers have been slightly edited and condensed.

How is your health these days?

Henrik Lundqvist: Very good. The return process was slow. I had inflammation around the heart. It took time. I knew that might be the case. I’m just trying to be patient. It’s a bit intermittent. Start practicing, then slow down again. But overall I feel good.

Have you found peace away from the game?

HL: I have been in a very good place. I am happy and excited where I am. What’s next, I’m very open to what’s next, see where things take me. For a very long time, it was all about hockey and that sort of dictated my life. But now there are a lot of different things happening. Obviously, getting away from hockey is important for any athlete to get away from his sport. That’s a lot of questions. When I retired, I knew I didn’t really have a choice, really. It was time to start looking forward.

I enjoy my time on the ice so much. It makes me very happy when I think about it. But I’m also excited about what’s to come.

What can viewers expect from the film?

HL: A lot has happened in my life in 12 months. So obviously there are a lot of questions – thinking and working on myself. Leaving the Rangers, open heart surgery, setbacks, retiring from hockey, it all happened in 12 months. It was a lot of introspection. But overall, I was in a very good place. I did some work on myself. It helped me. I think that’s what the movie is about.

When did dissemination become the goal?

HL: What happened was that I had a meeting with Jim Dolan (owner of Rangers and CEO of MSG Entertainment) right after I retired. When we looked at the different options and things to do for me, I wanted to be part of this organization and they wanted me to be part of it. So we kind of started with MSG Networks, and at the same time I started talking to TNT about having a small role last year. And then this year, a new role was created for me around the Garden. I get involved in a lot of different things – on the business side and on the entertainment side. I think we’re in such a unique place, so it’s great fun doing media, MSG Networks, TNT here in Atlanta.

So that’s how it started. Conversations with Dolan, then one thing led to another. Obviously, the media has been part of my life for so long. … It’s different being on the other side of things, but it’s a good way for me to stay connected to the game. I think for me it’s about balance. I’ve had such a commitment to hockey for so long. I want a little more flexibility in my schedule, to have more time for my family and friends. But just make sure that the time I have is used in the right way.

What are the differences between broadcasting for MSG versus DTT?

HL: MSG breaks down more game details, players. I think on TNT we have larger conversations, discuss topics – it could be plays that have happened and also things that we find interesting and funny. It may be a bit faster at MSG. It’s a short (window). I appreciate both. It’s more conversational with TNT, and MSG is a faster pace. It’s fun to see the difference in how the two shows run their business. The goal is the same: to educate and entertain the viewer.

How does your goalkeeper’s point of view come across and what does that bring to their discussions?

HL: That’s where I feel the most comfortable is talking about goalkeeping and breaking that down. A lot of times you think about how you view the game…there are a lot of differences between different goalkeepers. There are different ways to play the position, but in the end it comes down to one thing: stopping the shot. But for me, by talking about it, you want to try to explain it so that if you haven’t played the game, you don’t have to spend a lot of time trying to figure out what I’m talking about. You don’t want to try to be too technical or too complicated. I think that’s the biggest challenge. My goal is to educate about goalkeeping, it’s such a unique and important position.

What is it like working with Paul Bissonnette?

HL: He is great. He brings so much energy, positivity. He’s funny. He is 100% himself. I think that’s what people really like to see him on TV. I think it’s fun to have different personalities and different shots when discussing things. But he brings it every time we’ve worked together.

Have you ever thought you could call Wayne Gretzky a colleague?

HL: Probably not. We had a lot of fun. Getting to know the guys off camera, obviously you spend more time talking and sitting down and discussing the game. I think that’s a big part of that. All the guys sitting there, we’re used to being part of teams and big groups. I think that’s what we all love – team sports. I think it’s a bit of a similar feeling.

For the four-overtime marathon between Florida and Carolina, how was it on the desk and what do you say to yourself as the game continues?

HL: At first, it’s exciting. But when it starts to go into the fourth overtime, it’s crazy. Just the rebounds, so many close calls where you thought the game was over, you get ready in the office to start the post-show. But it just continued. Mad. Every year you have one or two games like that, where it lasts forever. But it was late. It was a long day. When they finally scored, I think everyone was happy.

How did the Panthers win the East after trailing the Bruins 3-1 in the first round? What kind of switch is flipped?

HL: The most important thing when you’re down is that you just have to focus on a game. You can’t think of the series as a whole. It’s too much. You just have to focus on winning a match. And in the playoffs, one game can change the momentum of a series so much. You have to be aware of that, but you have to be very focused on what you need to do in tonight’s game. That’s it.

What have you seen recently in the game of (Panthers goalie Sergei) Bobrovsky?

HL: When you look at the top guys, Bob has been one of the top goalies for a long time. But when you go from good to great you can have seasons between good and great, I think those are just small adjustments. Adjustments in your concentration, technical stuff. I feel like right now, watching him play, it seems like his spirit is there, his technique is strong, his readings are strong. Confidence is high. He was extremely good for many years. But right now, it looks like he’s at the top of his game. Enjoy.

In Florida, for months, they played hockey where every game mattered to them, trying to qualify (for the playoffs). They have a formula for how they must play to be successful. They had a few months where they had to bring it every night, being mentally and technically in a place where they knew what they had to do.

Post-heart surgery health, NHL playoffs, style

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