Up until five months ago, Jonathan Quick thought he was going to retire with the Kings, the team he played with for 16 seasons and helped deliver two Stanley Cups.
How fast things change in the National Hockey League.
Two days before the March 1 trade deadline, the Kings traded Quick to the Blue Jackets, who flipped him to the Golden Knights the very next day.
He went from a franchise goalie in LA to the third-stringer in Vegas, but was still a part of the club’s run to winning the 2023 Stanley Cup.
Now, Quick has returned close to his home after signing a one-year, $825,000 deal with the New York Rangers.
“Last year was a different experience as far as I spent 16 years with Los Angeles and the way it finished up, there was disappointment,” Quick said on a Zoom call Monday afternoon. “Then being moved to Columbus and then finishing up with Vegas. I enjoyed my time in Vegas, especially with the way we were able to finish up the season, winning the Cup and everything that came along with that.
“Now, I’m looking forward to going back east. I grew up in Connecticut. My wife is from that area, as well. Go back and get settled there and look forward to playing for a team I grew up watching.”
Quick will be the backup to Igor Shesterkin after having a down year statistically in an injury-plagued season.
In 2022-23 with the Kings, Quick finished with a 3.50 goals-against average and a .876 save percentage.
With Vegas, he posted a .901 save percentage and a 3.13 GAA in nine starts and 10 appearances.
Numbers aside, which may have been affected by his unexpected departure from LA, Quick is still a future Hall of Famer with a plethora of NHL experience to share.
The Rangers actually brought him in with hopes that he could be a mentor to Shesterkin.
The 37-year-old wasted no time in tending to that role, having already exchanged texts with the Rangers star goalie and saying how much he’s looking forward to teaming up with him.
“First and foremost, I want to be able to help this team win games when I’m in net,” Quick said. “The way this past season finished up I kind of found myself in more of that backup role. It’s obviously something different for me, but it’s something I did enjoy.
“Working and being partners with [Vegas goalie Adin Hill]. [Laurent Brossoit] was there and [Logan Thompson] was there, so it was a few different guys that I found myself kind of in that role. It’s enjoyable, as well.
“Obviously, Igor, he’s Igor. He really doesn’t need too much mentorship, right? As good as he is and what he’s already been able to accomplish in his young career. If there are times when I can help him, I’m definitely willing to and looking forward to that.”
As disappointed as he was about how it ended with the Kings, coming to the Rangers appeared to be an easy decision to make.
“I definitely felt like I wanted to continue playing,” Quick said. “Obviously, with my kids getting a little bit older, the location and that dynamic plays a little bit more of a role in your decision and where you go. Like I said, up until a few months back, like I thought we were here. I thought I was going to finish my career here [in Los Angeles] and we were going to retire here and raise our family here.
“Obviously, you know, it didn’t work out that way. Just make the most of it, show up, work every day and enjoy being a Ranger.”