Former Rangers star Henrik Lundqvist opens up about health, NHL playoffs, broadcasting

The most emotional and arduous moments of Henrik Lundqvist's life took place over a 12-month span.

First, he moved on 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, ultimately forcing him to walk away from the game he loved.

All of it was captured on camera -- culminating with his No. 30 jersey retirement 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 addresses what all athletes have to confront when they stop playing.

What's next?

"When I retired, I knew I didn't really have a choice, really. It was time to start looking forward," Lundqvist told USA TODAY Sports. "I appreciate the time I had on the ice so much. It makes me very happy when I think about it. But I’m also excited about what’s ahead."

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Lundqvist has not gone far from the spotlight. He almost immediately began commentating on the studio show for Rangers broadcasts on MSG Network. And he's also become a regular on TNT's studio coverage, joining the crew of Wayne Gretzky, Anson Carter, Paul Bissonnette and host Liam McHugh for the Eastern Conference Finals – where the Florida Panthers swept the Carolina Hurricanes – and will remain there for the Stanley Cup Final. It will be the first Cup final aired on TNT.

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

Questions and answers have been lightly edited and condensed.

How is your health these days?

Henrik Lundqvist: Pretty good. It’s been a slow process to get back. I had inflammation around my heart. It’s taken some time. I knew that might be the case. Just trying to be patient. It’s kind of on and off. Start working out and then have to slow it down again. But overall, I feel great.

Have you found peace away from the game?

HL: I’ve been in a very good place. I’m happy and excited where I’m at. What’s next, I’m very open to what’s next, see where things take me. For the longest time, it was all about hockey and it kind of dictated my life. But now there’s a lot of different things going on. Obviously, walking away from hockey, it’s a big thing for any athlete to walk away from your sport. It’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 appreciate the time I had on the ice so much. It makes me very happy when I think about it. But I’m also excited about what’s ahead.

What can viewers expect from the film?

HL: There was a lot that happened in my life over 12 months. So obviously there’s 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 soul-searching. But overall, I was in a very good place. I did work on myself. That helped me. I think that’s what the film is about.

When did broadcasting become the goal?

HL: What happened was I had a meeting with (Rangers owner and MSG Entertainment CEO) Jim Dolan right after I retired. When we looked at the different options and things for me to do, I wanted to be part of that 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, we created a new role for me around the Garden. I get involved in a lot of different things – on the business side and the entertainment side. I think we’re in such a unique place so it’s a lot of fun to do some media, MSG Networks, TNT here in Atlanta.

So that’s how it started. Conversations with Dolan and then one thing led to another. Obviously, media has been part of my life for so long. … It’s different to be 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 had such a big commitment to hockey for so long. I want a bit more flexibility in my schedule, have time for family and friends more. But just make sure the time I have is spent the right way.

What are the differences between broadcasting for MSG versus TNT?

HL: MSG is more breaking down details in the game, players. I think TNT we do more broader conversations, go into topics – it could be plays that happened and also things that we find interesting and fun. It’s maybe a little higher pace at MSG. It’s a short (window). I enjoy both. It’s more of a conversation with TNT, and MSG is a quicker pace. It’s fun to see the difference in how both shows go about their business. The goal is the same: to educate and entertain the viewer.

How does your goaltender’s perspective shine through and what does that bring to their discussions?

HL: That’s where I feel the most comfortable, is talking goaltending and breaking that down. A lot of times you think about how you self-saw the game … there’s a lot of differences between different goalies. There’s different ways of playing the position, but ultimately it comes down to one thing: stopping the shot. But for me, talking about it, you want to try and explain it so that if you didn’t play the game, you don’t spend that much time trying to understand 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 goaltending, it’s such a unique and important position.

What’s it like working with Paul Bissonnette?

HL: He’s great. He brings so much energy, positivity. He’s fun. He’s himself 100 percent. I think that's what people really enjoy watching him on TV. I think it’s fun getting different personalities and some different takes when you discuss things. But he brings it every time we’ve worked together.

Did you ever think you’d get to call Wayne Gretzky a colleague?

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

For the four-overtime marathon between Florida and Carolina, what was that like on the desk and what do you say to each other while game keeps going?

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

How were the Panthers able to win the East after being down 3-1 to the Bruins in the first round? What kind of switch gets flipped?

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

What have you seen in (Panthers goaltender Sergei) Bobrovsky's game recently?

HL: When you look at the top guys, Bob has been a top goalie for a long time. But when you go from good to great, you can have seasons back and forth where you go in between good and great, I think it’s just small adjustments. Adjustments in your focus, technical stuff. I feel like right now, watching him play, it just seems like his mind is there, his technique is strong, his reads are strong. The confidence is high. He’s been extremely good for many years. But right now it seems like he’s at the top of his game. Having fun.

Florida, for months, they’ve been playing hockey where every game mattered to them, trying to get in (to the playoffs). They have a formula for how they have to play to have success. They had a couple months where they had to bring it every night, being in a place both mentally and technically where they knew what they had to do.

Where do you get the suits?

HL: I wear a lot of different brands. Most of them are from Balani Custom, this company I’ve been working with for years. They make great suits.

Who has the best style in today’s game among current players?

HL: I think Erik Karlsson, San Jose, is always well-dressed. I know him a little bit. I run into him here and there and he’s always well-dressed. I’d have to say, overall – I joined the league in ‘05, guys dressed bad. Now it’s a big difference. Guys have really stepped up their game and I think they pay more attention to the suits and the everyday look more than they used to do in the past.

Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Henrik Lundqvist Q&A: Health post-heart surgery, NHL playoffs, style