In case anyone missed it, the Rangers and starting goalie Henrik Lundqvist reached agreement Thursday on a new six-year contract worth a reported $41.25 million.

The 25 year-old netminder who led Sweden to Olympic gold two years ago in Torino has been nominated for the Vezina for the NHL’s top goalie the last couple of seasons. The former Rangers’ 2000 seventh round gem has been largely responsible for the Original Six club’s turnaround- backstopping them to the postseason the last two years and leading them to a series sweep of Atlanta for the team’s first playoff victory in a decade.

After coming out of the gate on fire this season, the affable Lundqvist has struggled the past couple of months while dealing with the off-ice distraction of his father who is back home in Sweden recovering from a brain aneurysm.

He started the season looking primed to capture his first Vezina posting a 15-9-2 record with a 1.83 GAA. However, since Dec.1, King Henrik has been subpar with a 3.35 GAA as the club has played sub-.500 hockey (13-15-5) to drop out of the Eastern Conference’s top eight. They currently trail seventh seeded Buffalo and eighth seeded Boston in the playoff race with only 23 games remaining to salvage a very disappointing season with so many high expectations due to key additions Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. 

“There is a lot maybe going on,” Lundqvist told the Associated Press after the deal was signed on Valentine’s Day. “When you’re here or when you play a game, you don’t really focus on what goes on around you, whether it’s a contract or your dad is sick or whatever it is.

“When I’m here I focus on the right stuff, and I don’t think it affected me. I just want to work really hard here and bring my ‘A’ game.“

Despite only a 24-21-5 record in 50 games this season, his seven shutouts ranks second in the NHL behind league-leader Pascal Leclaire. He’ll need to be just as razor sharp in helping the Rangers elevate their game down the stretch if they want to see the Spring for a third consecutive year.

“We talked about this during the summer, that we would sign for one year and then start talking at the start of ‘08,” he admitted. “Nobody really wanted to wait until the summer. We wanted to get it done.”

Lundqvist could’ve become a restricted free agent in July. He’s making $4.25 million this season. By next year, the popular Swede will become the league’s highest paid goaltender passing Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo where he’ll be slated to earn $7.75 million. Luongo makes $7 million.

In his three-year NHL career, Lundqvist boasts a 91-55-22 record with a career 2.32 GAA, .916 save percentage and 16 shutouts.

“All I’m seeing is the metamorphosis of a top-notch goaltender in this league,” Rangers coach Tom Renney said. “He’s still evolving.”

HB Analysis: It’s easy to see why the Ranger organization got this done as Lundqvist has become their best goalie since Mike Richter, whose No.35 hangs from the rafters. Now is the time for King Henrik to relax and elevate his game to where it needs to be to get this team into the playoffs and beyond.

Guess this means Al Montoya is officially a bust. Another first round draft pick wasted by the club. What a shock? With the exception of Marc Staal, the Rangers are clueless when it comes to drafting and developing top draft picks. When will they get a clue?