The deadline for exchanges is a good reminder that, while the world's best athletes play on the biggest stages and are well paid, they are also human beings with relationships and real emotions.

New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist at the post-game press conference Sunday provided an example of the raw emotion that comes with seeing a friend and a teammate. long time exchange.

The Rangers sent Mats Zuccarello to Dallas on Saturday, putting an end to a race in New York for a fan favorite. Zuccarello and Lundqvist spent nine years together.

When asked if he could say a word about what Zuccarello meant to him and his team, Lundqvist immediately choked and could only say, "It's difficult. Good friend, "before apologizing and not being able to continue the interview.

YOUR DAILY DOSE: Top sports titles, delivered daily

The affable Rangers goalkeeper posted social media on Saturday night with a picture of him and Zuccarello kissing as they qualified for the Stanley Cup in 2014. The caption said, in part, "I'm going to miss you. tonne!

Larry Brooks, New York Post, detailed the special connection between Lundqvist and Zuccarello in a pre-transaction story. two young children.

"The times we spent together, I will miss the discussions, and I will miss him," Lundqvist told Brooks. "I already left friends. It's hard. But if you play for a team for 14 years, that will happen. "

The deadline for trading in the NHL is at 3 pm AND Monday.

Automatic reading

Thumbnails poster

Show captions

Last slide next