The Rangers' veteran goalie believes words like that can lead to excuses for taking the focus off winning, which really is all that matters to him.
And not just winning, but winning with the only NHL team he has played for.
"I see the potential," Lundqvist said. "I want to believe that we can be a winning team. I really believe we can. I think we can make it to the (Stanley Cup) Playoffs. I think we have a good enough team."
Lundqvist, the Rangers all-time leader in games played by a goalie (816), wins (433) and shutouts (63), is in an interesting position at this point in his career. At 36 years old and with a contract that expires after the 2020-21 season, he wants to win now.
The Rangers, though, are trying to set the foundation now to build a championship team for the future.
But Lundqvist isn't asking for a trade. He doesn't want to leave. He's all in with the Rangers, and he said it isn't challenging or difficult for him to be all in.
The Rangers, who play the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET; FS-W, MSG, NHL.TV), are 3-6-1 with one win in regulation. But Lundqvist has noticed one thing through the first 10 games.