Jonathan Quick‘s run in Los Angeles didn’t quite end as both him and Kings fans had hoped.
The veteran goaltender struggled and was traded twice ahead of the deadline. The Kings sent him to the Columbus Blue Jackets, who then flipped him in a deal with the Golden Knights just a day later.
Quick played third fiddle in Vegas, ultimately being demoted behind Adin Hill and Laurent Brossoit. While he was able to secure his third Stanley Cup, he made just ten appearances in the regular season and none in the playoffs.
Overall, Quick finished the year with a record of 16-15-6 across 41 starts with an .882 save percentage and 3.41 goals against average.
“Last year was a different experience,” Quick told reporters Monday. “I kind of found myself in more of that backup role. It’s obviously something different for me, but it’s something I did enjoy.”
Quick enjoyed it so much, he decided he wasn’t quite ready to hang up the skates just yet. The Milford, Connecticut-native landed a one-year deal with his childhood team, the Rangers, on the day free agency opened.
“Up until about five months ago, I thought I was going to be retiring as a King,” he said. “Obviously, things happen for a reason, and I ended up where I ended up this season, then this opportunity came around.
“Growing up watching the Rangers as a kid, this is just an opportunity that you can’t turn down and just want to make the most of.”
Quick will again play second fiddle in New York, backing up starter Igor Shesterkin. The 38-year-old understands that and is ready to help anyway, like he did in Vegas.
“First and foremost, I want to be able to help this team win games when I’m in net,” Quick said. “Just want to make the most of it, show up, work every day, and enjoy being a Ranger.
“Igor doesn’t need too much mentorship with as good as he is and what he’s already been able to accomplish in his young career. But if there are times when I can help him, I’m definitely willing to.”