Defenseman Ryan Lindgren is off to a slow start this season, as he plays out his one-year, $4.5 million contract on the way to impending unrestricted free agency after the season.
As noted by Adam Gretz of Bleacher Report, the Rangers are 26th in the NHL in scoring chances against per 60 minutes, and 27th in high-danger scoring chances against per 60. If it wasn’t for the goaltending of Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick (aside from Saturday night’s blowout 6-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers), who knows where the team would be.
It seems that Lindgren is taking a lot of the brunt of the criticism on the blueline. His normally lofty plus/minus rating has glad I looked diminished to practically nothing (+1), while he’s only provided two points in 14 games as well.
Could the Rangers be leaning towards moving on from the 26-year-old after the season rather than extending him?
If so, Gretz has come up with three potential landing spots for Lindgren if he is dealt:
Edmonton Oilers
Yes, the Oil come up anytime a trade target on the blueline is mentioned around the league. They came into the year needing to add a top-four defender, and nothing has changed. Gretz suggests swapping either Viktor Arvidsson or Jeff Skinner in exchange for Lindgren, in the hopes that a change of scenery could help players on both sides of the equation.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Knights could use a defensive upgrade on their blueline, and Lindgren has proven over the years to be able to provide it. Cap issues could be a problem in any such deal between these two teams, so salary retention would be needed, and/or Vegas sending out another contract.
Detroit Red Wings
In an effort to avoid its ninth consecutive season out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Wings will have to make some moves to improve their blueline. They have the fourth-worst goal differential in the Eastern Conference, at -14. A usually reliable defender like Lindgren could certainly help. He has a +105 rating over his previous five full seasons.
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