The New York Rangers have made countless draft selections over the years, but none proved more valuable than a little-known Swedish goaltender chosen with the 205th overall pick in the 2000 NHL Draft. More than two decades later, former Rangers star and executive Don Maloney has shared the remarkable story behind how Henrik Lundqvist ended up wearing Broadway Blue.
Speaking during his induction into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame earlier this month, Maloney reflected on what he considers the greatest achievement of his front-office career not as a player, but as one of the executives who helped bring the future Hall of Fame goaltender to New York.
“The greatest accomplishment in my second stint with the Rangers was the drafting of Henrik Lundqvist,” Maloney said.
A Quiet Draft Produced an Unforgettable Discovery
After concluding an outstanding playing career with the Rangers, Maloney returned to the organization as assistant general manager in 1996. He worked under general managers Neil Smith and later Glen Sather, playing a significant role in the team’s scouting and draft operations.
The 2000 NHL Draft wasn’t expected to be memorable for New York. The Rangers didn’t own a first-round selection, forcing them to wait until the 64th overall pick before making their first choice. Most of their early selections failed to leave much of a mark in the NHL, with forward Dominic Moore becoming the only notable long-term contributor from the opening rounds.
By the seventh round, the draft room had grown quiet.
According to Maloney, the organization simply wanted to add another goaltender to its prospect pool. While reviewing scouting reports, he noticed something unusual on European scout Christer Rockstrom’s draft board.
Henrik Lundqvist, Rockstrom’s highest-rated European goalie, was still available.
One Question Changed Rangers History
Maloney admitted he wasn’t overly familiar with the young Swedish netminder from Åre. Still, the fact that Lundqvist remained undrafted caught his attention.
Rockstrom reportedly warned him that respected head scout Martin Madden wasn’t particularly high on the prospect and even urged Maloney not to raise the topic.
Instead, Maloney did exactly the opposite.
He turned to Madden and asked a simple question:
“What about this Lundqvist guy?”
After a brief pause, Madden reportedly replied,
“Why not?”
That brief exchange ultimately became one of the most important moments in Rangers history.
New York selected Lundqvist with the 205th overall pick, a decision that would reshape the franchise for more than a decade.
From Unknown Prospect to Rangers Legend
Few seventh-round picks ever become NHL superstars, but Lundqvist shattered every expectation.
Nicknamed “The King,” the Swedish goaltender developed into one of the greatest netminders of his generation. He finished his NHL career with 459 victories, the most in Rangers franchise history and sixth-most in NHL history at the time of his retirement.
Lundqvist became the face of the Rangers for 15 seasons, earned numerous All-Star selections, captured the Vezina Trophy, helped lead New York to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, and eventually secured his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame. His iconic No. 30 jersey now hangs from the rafters of Madison Square Garden.
Maloney’s Legacy Goes Beyond His Playing Career
Although Maloney enjoyed an outstanding playing career himself recording 502 points and 195 goals in 653 games with the Rangers he believes helping draft Lundqvist remains his greatest contribution to the organization.
After leaving New York in 2007 to become general manager of the Phoenix Coyotes, Maloney earned the NHL’s General Manager of the Year Award following the 2009-10 season. He currently serves in the front office of the Calgary Flames but admits he has never made another draft selection that compares to finding Lundqvist.
Remembering the People Behind the Pick
During his Hall of Fame speech, Maloney also paid tribute to the executives who influenced his career, including legendary Islanders executive Bill Torrey, former Rangers general manager Neil Smith, and Hall of Fame executive Glen Sather.
He praised Smith for assembling the Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup championship roster and thanked him for bringing him back to the organization as an executive. He also credited Sather’s leadership and hockey knowledge for helping shape his own management career.
Still, when Rangers fans look back at one of the greatest draft steals in NHL history, the lasting image remains that simple question asked in the seventh round.
“What about this Lundqvist guy?”
The answer turned into one of the greatest decisions the Rangers have ever made, giving the franchise a legendary goaltender whose impact is still celebrated throughout New York hockey history.
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