Arthur Staple and Peter Baugh of The Athletic believe that the New York Rangers could potentially net a substantial trade package at this year’s NHL Trade Deadline should they move pending free-agent defenseman Ryan Lindgren. Rangers’ general manager Chris Drury has been remaking the Rangers on the fly for the past few months and likely isn’t done as we approach the deadline.
Lindgren turns 27 today and has endured a difficult season that began when he broke his jaw in the preseason, causing him to miss the first five games of the regular season. He’s been more of an offensive contributor this year but has been uncharacteristically careless with the puck, turning it over 53 times in just 50 games. Lindgren signed a one-year $4.5MM extension last summer, and it appears as though he will test the free-agent market. Despite the uneven year, Staple and Baugh believe that Lindgren will still be a valuable asset if the Rangers opt to sell in a few weeks. It’s hard to disagree, given that it appears to be a seller’s market, as both the Penguins and Sharks have been able to acquire first-round picks in trade packages involving defensemen.
Lindgren is not the only player the Rangers could move to acquire future assets. Reilly Smith and Jimmy Vesey are two other names that Staple and Baugh mention.
Smith would be looking at his third trade in two years if he is moved again, but with an expiring contract and a track record of decent depth scoring, there is a belief that he could nab the Rangers a mid-round pick. He has struggled to recapture his scoring touch since winning the Stanley Cup with Vegas back in 2023. This season, the 33-year-old has ten goals and 16 assists in 54 games.
Vesey, on the other hand, has publicly stated his desire to play more, so he would certainly welcome a move to a different organization. The 33-year-old is coming off back-to-back 25+ point seasons but has struggled to get anything going offensively this year, tallying just three goals and an assist in 30 games. Vesey could be another candidate to net the Rangers a mid-round draft pick.
When the Rangers return to action after the break, they will have seven games to decide on a direction heading into the NHL Trade Deadline, and given the way their campaign has unfolded, it’s fair to wonder what other headlines the team will make this season.
Smith needs to go back to Vegas. It seems to be only place He fits in. I respect Lindgren as a player. He is breaking down would not give up much.
Smith and Vesey may get 4th round picks. Lindgren hopefully a 3rd or desperate team maybe gives a 2nd. If they can get a first for Kandre I would trade him. And if Montreal still wants Lafrenierre I would send him there for a first and a top prospect. Lafreniere has talent but has underachieved and I think would be a star in Montreal.
2g, and 13a in 50gp make him a offensive defenseman? Lindgren is a 4d who is better at the defensive side. Upside on blocks and hits. Limited points. Also a left hand shot so that takes some flare off him. Don’t see many teams lining up for him.
Is Ekholm a offensive dman with 7g 17a?
If the Rangers don’t show signs of progress towards making a playoff spot, I can see Drury opening up a lot more of the roster than just these three.
Sell as much as they can