Ex-Rangers goalie Lundqvist set to have open-heart surgery

Henrik Lundqvist said Monday he’s scheduled for open-heart surgery after tests revealed a heart condition that kept him from continuing to play goal in the NHL.

Lundqvist wrote on Twitter that he’s set to have an aortic valve, aortic root and ascending aortic replacement. He did not say when.

“[The] last three weeks my focus has shifted from training camp and the upcoming season to my health and what I can and can’t do,” Lundqvist said in announcing the operation. “We all have our mountains to climb. Staying positive here and set on the road to recovery.”

A physical after signing with the Washington Capitals led to further tests and his decision not to play this season. Washington general manager Brian MacLellan said Lundqvist has had a heart issue all along that he managed and the team expected it to be the same.

It’s unclear what changed for the 38-year-old after playing 15 seasons with the New York Rangers. When he revealed Dec. 17 he wouldn’t be playing this season, the Rangers said: “We have no doubt Henrik Lundqvist will face this challenge with the same fierce determination and grace that made him one of the best goaltenders to ever play the game of hockey and an inspiration to all of us.”

The Rangers bought out Lundqvist after last season, and he signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract to continue chasing the Stanley Cup with rival Washington.

Senators

Ottawa acquired defenseman Braydon Coburn, forward Cedric Paquette and a 2022 second-round draft pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning late Sunday night in exchange for forward Marian Gaborik and goalie Anders Nilsson. Gaborik and Nilsson, who have a combined annual average cap hit just over $7 million for 2021-22, will be placed on long-term injury reserve and will not play this season.

Gaborik, who had back surgery in April 2018, is entering the final year of a seven- year deal worth $4,875,000 a season. Nilsson went down with a concussion in December 2019 and is owed $2.6 this season.

Blackhawks

Yougn forward Kirby Dach, who turns 20 on Jan. 21, could miss the upcoming season after he had wrist surgery. Dach fractured his right wrist while playing for Canada’s world junior team during an exhibition against Russia last week.

Dach was selected by Chicago with the No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft. He had eight goals and 15 assists in 64 games during his rookie season with the Blackhawks.