The New York Rangers have been making some improvements to their defensive corps this offseason, recently signing Braden Schneider and Matt Robertson to new contracts. Next up on the list is star young defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who the Rangers have been reportedly “grinding” to extend this summer. However, one roadblock seems to stand in the way of Lindgren and a new contract extension.
Rangers struggling to agree with Ryan Lindgren on the length of contract extension
According to Vince Mercogliano of Lohud, a dispute over the length of the contract seems to be getting in the way of an agreement between Lindgren and the Blueshirts:
“The main holdup with Lindgren appears to be term,” Mercoglinao reports. “The expectation is that his AAV will land somewhere around his $3.6 million qualifying offer, perhaps going as high as $4 million, but the Rangers’ preference is not to go overboard on the length of the contract.”
The Rangers have been utilizing the “bridge deal” strategy often over the past few years. They signed forwards Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere to similar contracts.
As Mercogliano explains, “New York typically prefers to go short term on second contracts for its young players in order to maintain future salary-cap flexibility.”
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Should the Rangers sign Lindgren to a more long-term extension?
Signing Lindgren to a short-term bridge deal would give the Blueshirts salary cap flexibility this season, however, as Mercogliano points out, “It could come back to bite them in two years if Schneider plays his way into a strong leverage position, but for now, it keeps an important defensive cog around for a very manageable average annual value of $2.2 million.”
The Rangers are likely making the right decision to push for a bridge deal with Lindgren, however, due to the upcoming negotiations for which they need to prepare. Next summer, Alexis Lafrenie?re, K’Andre Miller, and Igor Shesterkin will all be impending free agents. Unfortunately for Lindgren, keeping all three of these players will likely be prioritized over him.
Lindgren has become a solid defenseman for the Rangers over the last six years. His career +99 rating is impressive as he has blossomed into a truly special stay-at-home defenseman. Typically skating alongside Adam Fox, Lindgren has become a highly important member of this Blueshirts team. Ensuring he is here for the remainder of the Rangers’ current championship window should be a priority.
