Rangers Rumors: Ryan Lindgren, and college free agents

RYAN LINDGREN
Nov 21, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) celebrates his go-ahead goal with one second left against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

The latest New York Rangers rumors buzz is focused on some recent speculation regarding defenseman Ryan Lindgren. And could the Blueshirts once again dip into the college free agent pool?

Let’s dig in!

Related: Ryan Lindgren is the Rangers glue guy

Rangers Rumors: Ryan Lindgren

A lot of noise has made the rounds through the Rangers’ fanbase after Arthur Staple of The Athletic answered a mailbag question regarding Ryan Lindgren’s pending contract expiration next summer.

Basically it was suggested that if the Rangers value Lindgren like many fans do, a long term deal of 7 to 8 years with an AAV in the neighborhood of $4 million seems plausible. At the same time, any stall in negotiations could also mean just letting him walk.

All of this is very interesting summer talk regarding a player we highly regard and view as a key member of this Rangers core.

Lindgren, 25, registered 29 points in 63 games this past season with a team leading +29 rating. He’s extremely popular among his teammates and forms the Rangers top pairing with Adam Fox. The duo is reminiscent of the Brian Leetch and Jeff Beukeboom pairing that eventually won a Stanley Cup in 1994.

Although there is nothing official regarding contract talks, an extension seems very likely at this time.

Could the Rangers look at some pending college free agents?

NHL: NHL Draft
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

On August 15th, several graduating college players drafted by NHL teams that have yet to receive a bonafide offer will become unrestricted free agents.

The Rangers have gone this route in the past signing Jimmy Vesey and Kevin Hayes. Could they do it again? Here’s a list of players per ProHockeyRumors.com.

PlayerPosAgeTeamDraft/Pick
Ryan O’ConnellD22Maple Leafs2017, 203
Demetrios KoumontzisLW23Flames2018, 108
Jay O’BrienC23Flyers2018, 19
Jared MoeG24Jets2018, 184
Jake WiseC23Blackhawks2018, 69
Harrison BlaisdellC22Jets2019, 134
Kevin WallRW23Hurricanes2019, 181
Robert MastrosimoneF22Red Wings2019, 54
John FarinacciC22Coyotes2019, 76

Several of the players listed have played for the USNTDP which the Rangers organization has strong ties to, including new assistant coach Dan Muse.

A few names on the list I would keep a potential eye on are Jay O’Brien, Kevin Wall, and Jake Wise.

O’Brien is the highest draft pick that could become available and the pipeline could always use more centers. Last season, he registered 32 points in 39 games for Boston University, another program the Rangers have ties to with general manager Chris Drury serving as team captain back in 1997-98.

Wall is another player on the list that would add more right wing depth to the prospect pool. In 2022-23, he notched 17 goals and 31 points in 39 contests. Meanwhile, Wise scored 39 points in 40 games during his final college season with Ohio State University.

Note: Elite Prospects was used as reference

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL ... More about Anthony Scultore
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