NHL: Seattle Kraken at New York Rangers - Source: Imagn — New York Rangers Ryan Lindgren's future is questionable per NHL insider (Image Source: Imagn)

NHL Trade Rumors: Insider believes Rangers' Ryan Lindgren on trade block, names ideal landing spot

Modified Dec 21, 2024 14:25 GMT

On his Friday's column for The Athletic, Arthur Staple said that the New York Rangers may trade Ryan Lindgren. The 26-year-old defenseman has been a key player for the team, known for his toughness and leadership. However, injuries and the team’s defensive struggles have raised questions about his future in New York.

Lindgren is signed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, making him an attractive option for teams. Staple wrote:

"Perhaps Drury will hold onto Lindgren and make a move closer to March 7 to maximize the return, but it certainly appears that the 26-year-old is nearing the end of his Rangers tenure...the broken jaw... (and) the team’s ever-worsening defense have combined to make Lindgren a shadow of what he was as a Ranger."

Staple pointed to the Tampa Bay Lightning as a possible trade destination. The Lightning recently lost defenseman J.J. Moser for two months and need help on their blue line:

"The Tampa Bay Lightning... could be a good landing spot for Lindgren."

In his seventh NHL season, Lindgren has had a mixed start to 2024-25. He has one goal, three assists and a -3 plus-minus rating in 27 games. He has played well in wins, with a goal and a +4 rating.

However, in losses, he has a -7 rating. Despite this, he remains a key part of the Rangers' defense, averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game. Over his career, he has played 360 games, scoring 11 goals and 73 assists with a +96 rating.

Ryan Lindgren's experience and physical style would add value to a team pushing for the playoffs. For Lindgren, a trade could mean a fresh start and a chance to contribute to another contender.

Ryan Lindgren will not be the only player to get traded from New York Rangers this season

The New York Rangers have already dealt with two midseason player trades. They were 12-4-1 after 17 games into the season. But now their record has digressed to 16-15-1, putting them fifth in the Metropolitan Division.

This resulted in trading captain Jacob Trouba and creating a leadership gap. Their locker room issues have also hurt the team's morale. They also traded Kaapo Kakko.

Ryan Lindgren's performance is particularly questionable because this slump was unexpected after winning the 2023-24 Presidents’ Trophy. Artemi Panarin leads the team with 37 points, but scoring consistency remains a problem. Their defense struggles despite a strong penalty kill at 88.0%, ranked first in the league.