NHL Trade Rumors: $4.5M Ryan Lindgren may be on Rangers' axing list with other major contract extensions looming 

By Anjum Rajonno

Modified Aug 02, 2024 07:43 GMT

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren may have signed a one-year contract with the club this off-season, but the cloud of trade rumors is still circling over the player, according to NHL analyst Vince Z. Mergliano.

The Journal News' Mergliano believes that although Lindgren received a contract offer higher than his $3.6 million qualifying offer, the one-year duration of the deal raises questions about his long-term future with the Rangers. Lindgren inked a $4,500,000 deal with the Blueshirts for the 2024-25 season on July 30.

The analyst mentioned that key players like Alexis Lafrenière, K’Andre Miller and Igor Shesterkin will need new contracts after next season. As a result, Lindgren's status with the team remains uncertain, especially since he will become an unrestricted free agent after next season.

"The Rangers have about $1.4 million in projected cap space, which translates into about $6 million in accrued space at the deadline," Mergliano said via NHLRumors.com. "An offseason trade is possible but unlikely. Their roster is basically set."

Mergliano further speculated the reason the team did not offer the D-man a longer extension is because of his tendency of being "banged up" due to the physical nature of the game. Nevertheless, Ryan Lindgren's offensive contributions have time and again come clutch for the team and they want to keep him on the roster, for at least one more season.

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Ryan Lindgren wants to stay in New York

After signing his new contract with the Rangers, Lindgren was excited to be able to continue his journey in New York. He mentioned being happy to be able to sort his contract with the club, avoiding arbitration (via NHL.com):

"I love being in New York, so I'm really excited to get back there,” he said. “It's a great city, it's a great team, so I'm really excited for next year."

When asked about his thoughts on only having a single year on his deal to continue in New York, Lindgren said:

“I just try not to think about it as much as you can. Just go out there, play and have fun. If the team is successful, then you’re going to be successful. That’s all that really matters. But I want to be in New York. That’s all I’ve known for the past six years now. I love being there. I want to be there as long as I can," he added.

Ryan Lindgren believes they have the perfect team to come back stronger next season and aim for more. Only time will tell if his beliefs are backed up by the team's performances on the ice.