The Rangers have checked off the final name on their list of anticipated offseason business.
Ryan Lindgren signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal Tuesday, according to multiple reports, avoiding an arbitration hearing Friday with the organization he’s played his whole NHL career with.
The new contract will bring Lindgren to unrestricted free agency at its conclusion next summer, when the Rangers have a list of other players to take care of — including star goalie Igor Shesterkin, if an extension isn’t reached beforehand.
The 26-year-old defenseman will enter his seventh season with the Rangers, who acquired Lindgren in a package from the Bruins in exchange for Rick Nash in February 2018.
A prospect at the time of the trade, Lindgren ultimately became a fixture in the top four on the Rangers backend – particularly alongside 2021 Norris Trophy-winner Adam Fox.
Lindgren’s impact on the Rangers is reflected in the club’s record with him in the lineup (199-103-31) versus without (51-53-17). Between his physicality and longstanding chemistry with Fox, the Minnesota native has been a steady defensive presence in New York.
Behind only captain Jacob Trouba, Lindgren averaged the second most time on the penalty kill last season at 2:43. He also fell just one point shy of his career-high total he set in 2022-23 with 17 points.
Additionally, Lindgren was a recipient of the 2023 Extra Effort Award, which honors the legacy of NYPD detective Steven McDonald and is presented annually to the Ranger who, as decided by the fans, “goes above and beyond the call of duty.”
Always covered in bruises and stitches, Lindgren quickly became a fan favorite for the way he sacrifices his body each game. As a result, however, injuries have popped up periodically throughout Lindgren’s Rangers tenure. He has yet to play a full 82-game season.
In 333 career games with the Rangers, Lindgren has accumulated 10 goals and 70 assists for 80 points with a plus-99 rating. He also has totalled three goals and eight assists in 43 playoff contests.
Now that Lindgren is signed, the Rangers can turn their attention to training camp.