Ryan Lindgren was everything right about the Rangers - Blue Seat Blogs

"When the New York Rangers traded Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche at last year's trade deadline, most analytically-minded fans like myself felt more relief than anything else. The Rangers organization is best known for handing long-term contracts to aging, declining defensemen. Think back to the contracts of Dan Girardi and Marc Staal, two players who went from beloved Rangers to despised for their on-ice play by Rangers fans."

"Before the season the Rangers weren't even certain to make the playoffs. Going into the postseason, many protagonists had the Rangers losing in the first round of the playoffs. Instead, the Rangers battled. And battled. And battled. And until they finally ran out of gas in game six, the Rangers truly gave it everything they had. Truthfully, they embodied the spirit of Ryan Lindgren."

"Ryan Lindgren never quite reached that point with the Rangers, but by the end of his tenure with the team, it was clear that the Rangers did not have a player who would be worthy of his next contract. While Lindgren appears to be appreciated in Seattle, I have no doubt that had the Rangers held onto him, his tenure with the Rangers would have ended much like Girardi's or Staal's."

Ryan Lindgren was traded from the New York Rangers to the Colorado Avalanche at last year's deadline, prompting relief among analytically-minded fans. The Rangers have a history of signing aging defensemen to long-term, declining contracts, exemplified by Dan Girardi and Marc Staal. Lindgren offered strong defensive play in some seasons but lacked the attributes to merit a long-term contract, and his tenure likely would have declined similarly if retained. Seattle appears to appreciate Lindgren. The 2022 Rangers playoff run showcased collective resilience and battle-first mentality that matched Lindgren's on-ice persona, nearly reaching the Stanley Cup Final.

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