Ryan Lindgren and the New York Rangers are facing a tough season on the ice. As of Friday, the Rangers had lost 11 out of their last 14 games, a stark contrast to their performance in late May when they reached the Eastern Conference Finals. In an effort to turn things around, the Rangers have traded Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken and Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks.
The effectiveness of these trades for New York is yet to be determined. Meanwhile, with the NHL’s holiday roster freeze now in place, the Rangers have time to consider their next steps, with three games remaining before the freeze lifts on December 28. However, the end of the roster freeze doesn’t guarantee immediate activity from the team. If their struggles continue, they may begin a fire sale, and there’s one player who should be prioritized for trade: Ryan Lindgren.
Entering the 2024-25 season, Lindgren was expected to play a significant role on a team aiming for the Stanley Cup, and this season is crucial for his career as he heads into free agency this summer, potentially securing a lucrative contract.
Unfortunately, perceptions of Lindgren may be shifting negatively. Although he has played an important position on the Rangers’ defense during the 26 games this year, his performance has not been impressive. He ranks second-lowest in Expected Goals For Percentage and third-lowest in On-Ice Save Percentage at 5v5 among Rangers defensemen. Overall, he holds the lowest Goals For Percentage, Expected Goals For Percentage, and the third-highest Corsi Against per 60 minutes among the team’s defensemen.
Such performances are insufficient, especially for a team aiming for a playoff spot, prompting the Rangers to consider trading Lindgren to reclaim some of his declining trade value.
On a positive note, despite his struggles, some statistics offer a slightly more favorable view of Lindgren. For instance, he boasts the third-highest On-Ice Save Percentage among Rangers defensemen. This might not mean much given his poor showing in other areas, but it does provide some hope.
Additionally, potential trading teams might consider Lindgren’s historical performance. Since the 2019-20 season, he has only been outperformed in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) by Adam Fox, a regular Norris Trophy contender, and ranks second in Defensive Goals Above Replacement on the Rangers’ blue line during that period.
Lindgren has demonstrated the ability to be a reliable defenseman in the past, though his current struggles could diminish his trade value if he doesn’t improve soon. Nevertheless, there may still be a solid player beneath the lackluster performance, and the Rangers should market that potential to other teams, aiming to acquire some forward depth through a trade.
