Rangers Rumors: Ryan Lindgren, and college free agents
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?
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.
| Player | Pos | Age | Team | Draft/Pick |
| Ryan O’Connell | D | 22 | Maple Leafs | 2017, 203 |
| Demetrios Koumontzis | LW | 23 | Flames | 2018, 108 |
| Jay O’Brien | C | 23 | Flyers | 2018, 19 |
| Jared Moe | G | 24 | Jets | 2018, 184 |
| Jake Wise | C | 23 | Blackhawks | 2018, 69 |
| Harrison Blaisdell | C | 22 | Jets | 2019, 134 |
| Kevin Wall | RW | 23 | Hurricanes | 2019, 181 |
| Robert Mastrosimone | F | 22 | Red Wings | 2019, 54 |
| John Farinacci | C | 22 | Coyotes | 2019, 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