Last summer, the Rangers used up their onetime arbitration rights with star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, and they faced the prospect of seeing Lundqvist as a restricted free agent this summer: He’s been the most important component of the Blueshirts’ post-lockout revival, and after seeing high offers being made this year to other players, such as Alexander Ovechkin (13 years, $124 million), there was no telling what Lundqvist might have commanded.

With this very scenario likely in mind, the Blueshirts are reportedly on the verge of inking Lundqvist to a long-term deal worth at least $6.5 million per year, according to the Daily News. Lundvqist’s deal — if it’s at the anticipated annual level — should be considered a bargain for the Rangers. And with the pressure of the contract negotiations seemingly behind him, look for Lundqvist’s not-coincidental struggles to end, and for him to help the Rangers rise in the power rankings.

1 DETROIT RED WINGS (1): The month of February hasn’t been (1–3, 3.87 GAA, .831 SV%). Will Dominik Hasek retake the starting job?

G REC PTS GS GA PP% PK%
59 41–13–5 87 189 126 18.32%85.77%

2. OTTAWA SENATORS (2): The Senators have posted an ugly 5–9 record in their last 14 games; general manager Bryan Murray is hoping that recent acquisitions Mike Commodore and Cory Stillman will help get them back on track.
57 34–19–4 72 195 166 18.67%85.44%

3. DALLAS STARS (6): Mattias Norstrom has been doing the lion’s share of Dallas’s excellent penalty-killing on the blue line.
60 35–20–5 75 171 146 17.48%90.84%

4. SAN JOSE SHARKS (4): Former Richard Trophy winner Jonathan Cheechoo is finally heating up: He has scored five points in his last two games.
56 31–17–8 70 146 132 15.65%88.58%

5. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (8): While the Pens have lost Sidney Crosby to a high ankle sprain, Evgeni Malkin has emerged as a Hart Memorial Trophy candidate.
56 32–19–5 69 161 149 19.22%82.04%

6. MINNESOTA WILD (7): With a team-leading plus-12 rating, young defenseman Brent Burns has become as critical to the Wild’s success as Marian Gaborik.
57 32–21–4 68 155 149 14.58%85.71%

7. NEW JERSEY DEVILS (9): Though Paul Martin has done a fine job on the Devils’ blue line, providing him with some puck moving support would be a wise pre-deadline maneuver.
56 31-21-4 66 143 132 14.16%83.94%

8. MONTREAL CANADIENS (5): Andrei Markov has developed into one of the NHL’s finest two-way backliners; he forms half of a devastating shutdown defense pair with Mike Komisarek.
57 29–19–9 67 175 158 24.43%84.09%

9. ANAHEIM DUCKS (15): Chris Kunitz still remains one of the Ducks’ most reliable clutch performers: He has a team-leading five game-winning goals.
61 32–22–7 71 146 145 14.02%84.19%

10. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (3): After suffering his third concussion of the season on Sunday, Simon Gagne (who’s already missed 31 games) is expected to be out of the lineup for at least another two weeks.
56 30–21–5 65 178 157 22.66%84.35%

11. CALGARY FLAMES (10): Formerly struggling goalie Miikka Kiprusoff has surrendered only 19 goals on 282 shots (.933 SV%) since Curtis Joseph was signed to be his backup.
57 29–20–8 66 162 161 13.60%82.13%

12. COLORADO AVALANCHE (12): Defenseman Brett Clark suffered a potentially serious shoulder injury on Tuesday night — but forward Ryan Smyth (broken ankle) might be able to return to the lineup tonight.
57 30–22–5 65 160 154 13.04%81.64%

13. NASHVILLE PREDATORS (11): Sophomore forward Alexander Radulov scored two goals on Tuesday night to help lead the Preds to a 4–2 win over the Red Wings.
58 30–22–6 66 167 152 12.20%86.83%

14. BUFFALO SABRES (18): If GM Darcy Regier is unable to ink Brian Campbell to an extension, it’s probable that he’ll be dealt in advance of the February 26th trade deadline — another potentially huge loss for the Sabres.
56 27–21–8 62 168 150 16.94%86.97%

15. VANCOUVER CANUCKS (16): With three key defensemen out of the lineup (Lukas Krajicek, Willie Mitchell, and Kevin Bieksa), it’s no surprise that the Canucks are struggling. Will reinforcements come via trade or recovery?
57 28–22–7 63 144 138 16.60%84.44%

16. BOSTON BRUINS (13): Playing at home hasn’t been much of an advantage for the Bruins in general and for captain Zdeno Chara in particular (minus-12 home rating, plus-17 road rating).
56 28–23–5 61 144 150 15.94%80.69%

17. NEW YORK RANGERS (17): Last season, backup netminder Stephen Valiquette wasn’t a palatable option for Tom Renney (3.14 GAA, .867 SV%), but he’s improved his play this year (2.19 GAA, .915 SV%).
59 28–24–7 63 140 143 14.95%83.73%

18. ST. LOUIS BLUES (19): Former Ranger Martin Rucinsky scored two points in helping the Blues snap their four-game losing streak on Tuesday night against the Kings.
55 25–22–8 58 140 154 10.53%84.03%

19. PHOENIX COYOTES (14): A strong performance by goalie Ilya Bryzgalov against the Stars on Monday night (42 saves on 44 shots) finally has the ‘Yotes confident heading into tonight’s rematch in Phoenix.
57 28–25–4 60 151 156 15.13%84.65%

20. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (20): Three overtime losses in their last four games have the Blue Jackets reeling — but they’re still only four points behind the eighth-place Avs.
58 26–23–9 61 139 142 15.18%89.06%

21. WASHINGTON CAPITALS (21): Alexander Ovechkin is on pace to finish with 68 goals, the most since Mario Lemieux’s 69 in 1995–96.
57 27–25–5 59 162 174 14.35%81.85%

22. CAROLINA HURRICANES (23): By trading Stillman and Commodore to Ottawa in exchange for Patrick Eaves and Joe Corvo, the middling ‘Canes improved the Sens more than themselves.
59 28–27–4 60 170 186 13.84%78.38%

23. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (24): The struggling Isles are 2–7–2 in their last 11 games, and unless they pick things up in the coming weeks, will be disappointed sellers at the trade deadline.
57 25–25–7 57 136 165 11.50%86.57%

24. ATLANTA THRASHERS (25): If the offered return for Marian Hossa isn’t compelling enough, look for GM/coach Don Waddell to keep him: A red-hot Hossa could be the difference-maker in the extremely tight Southeast Division race.
58 27–27–4 58 151 182 14.47%83.27%

25. FLORIDA PANTHERS (22): After a scary brush with death on Sunday night, forward Richard Zednik’s condition has been upgraded to “good,” and he’s been moved out of the intensive care unit at Buffalo General Hospital.
58 26–27–5 57 153 163 19.18%81.30%

26. EDMONTON OILERS (27): Defenseman Sheldon Souray — Horcoff — out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
58 26–27–5 57 143 169 13.65%86.79%

27. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (26): Though they don’t have much hope for reaching the postseason, the lucrative offer they’ve tendered Peter Forsberg reportedly still has them in the acquisition running.
55 24–25–6 54 146 157 12.40%86.04%

28. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (28): The Leafs are barely holding on in the playoff race. Will Mats Sundin waive his no-trade clause if the team’s still in the hunt for a postseason spot?
57 23–25–9 55 155 181 11.98%80.75%

29. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (29): Forward Vaclav Prospal delivered one of his finest performances of the season on Tuesday, scoring two goals in Tampa’s 3–2 win over the Canadiens.
57 24–27–6 54 162 186 17.24%83.18%

30. LOS ANGELES KINGS (30): Embattled goaltender Dan Cloutier returned to the lineup on Sunday, stopping 31 of 33 shots in earning his first victory since December 7, 2006.
59 24–32–3 51 163 192 17.08%81.33%

Mr. Greenstein is the editor in chief of InsideHockey.com.