At first read of Henrik Lundqvist's comments today, all Rangers' fans are likely to go into panic while the other team's in the NHL gain greater hope that the Blueshirts' netminder could join their team as a UFA next off-season. Put those thoughts and concerns on hold. There is nothing Lundqvist says that contravenes what he said previously nor does it open the window any more for the other 29 teams or close that window any further for the Rangers.

Andrew Gross in the Bergen Record put it perfectly and when you read all the comments, it clears it all up. Per Gross, Lundqvist is still saying HE doesn’t want to talk about it but he’s fine if the Rangers continue to talk with his agent, Don Meehan.

“I know the Rangers and my agent have been working to get a deal done,” Lundqvist said after Wednesday's lengthy practice. “Unfortunately we don’t have a deal right now. For me now it’s time to just focus on the game. I want to have all my thoughts on playing as well as I can and winning. That’s all my focus is. That’s all I care about. If they continue to talk, the Rangers and my agent, so be it. But for me personally I’m not going to get involved. I’m not going to talk to my agent. Right now, all I care about is to play well. “This will be the last time you hear me talk about it,” Lundqvist added. “I look forward to just focusing on hockey."

So in essence, all he has done is say that he won't be talking. Does it preclude his agents and the Rangers from talking? No. Has he closed off all negotiations? No. Has he stated he wont listen if Don Meehan comes to him with an offer from the Rangers? No. Is this a material change from before? No. Of course, we all wish this had been done already and it was one less concern for the future. But that's not the case, and given the last time Lundqvist headed into a season on the final or only year of a deal, he signed a six-year extension in January. So forgive me if don't go completely crazy and think the sky is falling....yet. But come back to me in a few months and I may change my tune.

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