Amidst the theories that certain New York Rangers players encouraged the team to part ways with John Tortorella, Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist assured the New York Post's Larry Brooks that he neither encouraged the management to fire Tortorella, nor did he threaten to not re-sign with the team after his current contract expires next summer should the team retain Tortorella (though Brooks stands by his report that the Rangers' players told management that Tortorella and the players did have issues):

Henrik Lundqvist, who on break-up day became the Rangers’ public voice of disaffection that in retrospect foretold the firing of John Tortorella as head coach 48 hours later, told The Post that he “would never put pressure on management on decisions like that.”

“I know there is some speculation regarding Torts being fired, but let’s be clear on one thing,” Lundqvist said via an e-mail on Wednesday that contained his first comments on the matter. “It’s not my call who the coach should be for the New York Rangers.

“I would never put pressure on the management on decisions like that. I’m just a player. My focus is to play the game and do the best I can on the ice. Whatever [happens] off the ice, I leave to our great staff we have working for this club.”

Continued, and, regarding the Rangers' next coach: