BREAKING NEWS: New York Rangers Fans Receives Unexpected Heart-Breaking News On Ryan Lindgren
With the NHL trade deadline approaching on March 7, the New York Rangers face a crucial decision regarding Ryan Lindgren and the composition of their defense.
The 27-year-old defenseman is in the final year of his contract, carrying a $4.5 million cap hit, and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season. A key partner to Adam Fox for six seasons and a gritty, heart-and-soul player, Lindgren’s future with the Rangers remains uncertain. His physical, high-intensity style of play raises concerns about longevity, as smaller defensemen like him tend to wear down faster. While he has rebounded from a rough start following a preseason jaw injury, committing to him on a long-term, high-cost deal may not be ideal.
The prevailing belief is that the Rangers will part ways with Lindgren after this season. They could promote K’Andre Miller to play alongside Fox or use their available cap space this summer to acquire a top-four left-shot defenseman. Another option is shifting Braden Schneider to the left side and finding a more affordable right-side replacement for the third pair.
In the immediate future, the Rangers must decide whether to keep or trade Lindgren before the deadline. If they don’t plan to re-sign him, moving him now for an asset—perhaps a second-round pick—makes sense. However, this would leave a significant gap on defense, and promoting Zac Jones into a regular role isn’t seen as a viable solution.
Would Lindgren be more valuable as an internal rental rather than trading him just to spend assets acquiring another defenseman? Unless the Rangers make a bigger move for a top-four defenseman with term, keeping Lindgren might be the better short-term option.
Even if he stays, general manager Chris Drury might still look to add a depth defenseman, possibly one who can play on the third pair and push Urho Vaakanainen into an extra role—someone more reliable than Jones.
"I love being here and this is definitely where I want to be."
– Ryan Lindgren on playing for the Rangers pic.twitter.com/OwaPn3goqT
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
As the deadline nears, Drury must weigh all these factors while shaping the Rangers’ defensive group.
Defenseman option for Rangers ahead of NHL Trade Deadline
Ivan Provorov, arguably the top left-shot defenseman on an expiring contract, is not included in potential trade options since the Columbus Blue Jackets appear to be in win-now mode. They are expected to retain him and may even attempt to re-sign him. Even if Provorov were made available, a trade to the Rangers seems unlikely, given that both teams are competing for a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, Seth Jones’ name has surfaced in trade discussions, but it’s doubtful the Rangers would pursue him. The 30-year-old defenseman carries a hefty $9.5 million cap hit for five more seasons and has struggled with the Chicago Blackhawks, making him an unlikely fit for New York.
Ryan Lindgren – Rangers
Trading Lindgren before the deadline to get an asset in return rather than losing him for nothing in free agency seems like the logical move. However, he’s also Adam Fox’s preferred defensive partner and essentially serves as a reliable rental for the Rangers’ own playoff push. That complicates the decision—moving him creates a hole in the lineup that may require using assets to replace him anyway.
Carson Soucy – Canucks
Carson Soucy, a 6-foot-5, 208-pound shutdown defenseman, is best suited for a second-pairing role and is available primarily because the Vancouver Canucks recently acquired and extended Marcus Pettersson. The 30-year-old averages over 18 minutes of ice time per game and has recorded 85 blocked shots and 82 hits. With one year remaining on his contract at an affordable $3.3 million AAV, he presents a solid, cost-effective option for teams seeking defensive depth.
Jamie Oleksiak – Kraken
Jamie Oleksiak, like Soucy, is a towering left-shot shutdown defenseman at 6-foot-7, 252 pounds. A physical presence and reliable top-four option, the 32-year-old excels on the penalty kill and brings a strong defensive game. He has one year remaining on his contract with a $4.6 million cap hit. While the Seattle Kraken may prefer to keep him, it would be worth the Rangers exploring his availability ahead of the trade deadline.
Connor Murphy – Blackhawks
Connor Murphy is an intriguing option, offering a more well-rounded game than Soucy or Oleksiak—when healthy. However, injuries have been a major concern, as the 31-year-old recently returned from a groin injury and has missed significant time in three of the past four seasons. Additionally, Murphy is a right-handed shot, meaning either he or Braden Schneider would need to shift to the left side. Still, there’s plenty to like about the 6-foot-4 defenseman, who logs around 20 minutes per game and carries a $4.4 million cap hit with one season remaining on his contract.
Mario Ferraro – Sharks
Mario Ferraro is another solid option for a shutdown role in the top four. A tough, left-shot defenseman, the 26-year-old has been a reliable 20-23 minute per game player for the San Jose Sharks throughout his career. Known for his competitiveness, Ferraro has recorded 117 hits and 81 blocked shots this season while also contributing on the penalty kill. Although his plus/minus is negatively impacted by the Sharks’ struggles, a change to a more competitive team could improve his numbers. With one season left on his contract at a reasonable $3.25 million, Ferraro could offer good value as a gritty, top-four defender.
Bowen Byram – Sabres
Thinking big, Bowen Byram is an intriguing option, though it’s not the most realistic trade target. Rumors suggest the Buffalo Sabres are open to moving the 23-year-old left-shot defenseman, but landing him would come at a steep price. The Rangers would have to part with significant assets, and there’s the added complication that Byram is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the end of the season—similar to K’Andre Miller. That would give the Rangers two young defensemen to negotiate complicated contracts with.
Despite these challenges, the upside of Byram is undeniable. He’s a highly skilled offensive defenseman who’s still developing, and he’s averaging more than 23 minutes of ice time this season. If the Rangers could pull off a deal, Byram could be a long-term solution on their blue line, adding both offensive flair and defensive stability.
Brian Dumoulin – Ducks
On the other end of the spectrum, Brian Dumoulin could be a more affordable option. The 33-year-old, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, could fill a second-pair role on the left side if Lindgren is traded, or provide a third-pair upgrade if Lindgren stays. Dumoulin is a rental, set to become a UFA at the end of the season, and would likely come at a lower cost compared to other potential trade targets. If the Rangers are looking for a reliable but cost-effective option, Dumoulin could be a solid short-term solution.
David Savard – Canadiens
Like Dumoulin, David Savard is a veteran with Stanley Cup experience who could serve as an experienced depth defenseman for the Rangers. The 34-year-old right-shot is on an expiring contract worth $3.5 million, and could slot into a third-pair role if Braden Schneider moves to the left side following a Lindgren trade, or act as the seventh defenseman if Lindgren stays. Known for his shot-blocking ability, Savard could pair with Schneider on the third pair, allowing Urho Vaakanainen to be the extra defenseman. Savard offers a steady, cost-effective option for the Rangers’ blue line depth.