Lundqvist won't play this season after heart inflammation

Updated Apr. 11, 2021 2:53 p.m. ET

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Henrik Lundqvist is abandoning a long-shot attempt to return from open-heart surgery in time to play for the Washington Capitals this season after a checkup last week showed some inflammation.

Lundqvist

“Training has been going really well and I’ve been feeling good — but my heart isn’t quite ready,” Lundqvist

Lundqvist had open-heart surgery in early January. He was

The Sweden-born goalie who was the face of the New York Rangers for 15 years

The Capitals signed Lundqvist to have an experienced veteran with playoff experience in net. With any hope dashed of Lundqvist making an impressive comeback, they may try to acquire one before the NHL trade deadline Monday.

on Sunday for a third-round pick clears additional space to make a move before the deadline. The Capitals are in first place in the East Division, but neither goalie on their roster — Ilya Samsonov or rookie Vitek Vanecek — has appeared in a Stanley Cup playoff game.

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