#Henrik Lundqvist’s big message as Capitals rumor swirls

“I still love to compete. I still love the game and I still want to WIN!” Henrik Lundqvist tweeted Sunday, leaving little doubt the 38-year-old goaltender is willing to play for another team after the Rangers ended his remarkable run on Broadway with a contractual buyout last week.

One option could be the Capitals, who are interested in adding their former playoff nemesis, according to Sportsnet, in what would likely be a backup role.

The Capitals, who are in the Rangers’ division and faced Lundqvist five times in the postseason, are expected to let longtime goalie Braden Holtby become an unrestricted free agent, which would make Ilya Samsonov the starter following an impressive 16-6-2 rookie season.

It’s unclear whether Lundqvist would be willing to become a full-time backup, though it may be his only choice given that his play has regressed with age.

The opportunity to win his first Stanley Cup might make Lundqvist, who won 459 games in 15 seasons, open to such a role.

Lundqvist lost the Rangers starting job this past season with the emergence of 24-year-old Igor Shesterkin and it didn’t make sense for the Rangers to carry a backup goaltender with an $8.5 million cap hit. They instead chose to buy out the final season of Lundqvist’s seven-year, $59.5 million deal, opening up $3 million in cap space.

Other options for Lundqvist include the Hurricanes and Golden Knights. Lundqvist has made more than $100 million in his NHL career to date, meaning money is unlikely to be a significant factor in his decision.

It’s unlikely Lundqvist would return to Sweden to continue playing, seeing as his wife and kids are likely to stay in New York during the next calendar year.

Lundqvist’s brother (and former NHLer), Joel, is captain of a professional Swedish hockey team.