Whether he’s, you know, doing his job and blocking a shot — something he’s done 456 times in 328 games since the start of the 2019-20 season — or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, Lindgren is a puck target. It’s part of what has made him one of the toughest players in the NHL.

Well, it happened again Wednesday night. Participating in a summer league game in the Da Beauty League, Lindgren went to the net to set a screen or look for a deflection as an offensive player in the 4-on-4 contest. Of course, neither of those things happened and instead Lindgren was drilled by a shot from one of his teammates as he skated in front of the goalie.

Ryan Lindgren got hit by a shot during a summer league game, because it’s ice hockey and Ryan Lindgren was on the ice 😅

(via @DaveyUpper, @DaBeautyLeague) pic.twitter.com/LyoPPWJgFp

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 25, 2024

The rugged 26-year-old skated to the bench after appearing to be hit in the lower body. Just another night on the ice for Lindgren, who has a well-earned reputation for playing through pain, cuts, bruises and more significant injuries.

That ability to grind through when his body is far from 100 percent has endeared Lindgren to Rangers fans, as well as his teammates and coaches. It’s a rare day when he’s actually not banged up in one way or the other. Perhaps that’s why the Rangers are somewhat reticent about signing him to a long-term contract with unrestricted free agency waiting for him at the end of next season.

Lindgren does have a salary arbitration hearing scheduled with the Rangers on Aug. 2, though the sides are hoping to get a deal done before then.

WATCH: Ryan Lindgren scores another beauty in summer league game

Rangers’ Jonny Brodzinski scores goal in summer league play

Jonny Brodzinski, Lindgren’s teammate on Team Walser in Da Beauty League and, of course, with the Rangers, had a more pleasant experience Wednesday night. Moving to his left, Brodzinski snapped a shot from the right circle past the opposing goalie’s gloved hand for a sweet goal in a game Walser eventually lost 11-7, after allowing nine goals in the second half.

Jonny Brodzinski brings Walser within one goal 👀

📺: https://t.co/ZmF86YFt7p#NYR | @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/QP8lJHKpKQ

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 24, 2024

The Rangers center, who scored six goals and finished with 19 points in 57 games last season, earlier assisted on a goal by defenseman Nick Jensen. Yes, that’s the same Nick Jensen whose knee-on-knee hit in the first-round of the playoffs slowed Lindgren’s defense partner with the Rangers, Adam Fox, for the remainder of the postseason.

Twenty degrees of separation, or something like that.

Speaking of which, Brodzinski’s brother, Bryce, had two goals and an assist for Walser, as did Jensen.

The once-per-week games in Da Beauty League are divided into two 23-minute halves. There are four teams taking part, each trying to win the championship keg of beer later in August.

Lindgren was at it again Wednesday, collecting the puck at center ice and rushing forward for a breakaway goal, complete with a sweet backhand finish through the five-hole, in a summer hockey league game in Minnesota.

Ryan Lindgren shows off his silky mitts and goes five-hole, putting Walser within 2 goals 👀

📺: https://t.co/ZmF86YFt7p#NYR | @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/4NdTdICppJ

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 17, 2024

This flash of skill followed Lindgren’s goal in a game last week, when he sniped one bar down for Team Walser in the four-team Da Beauty League, which features 4-on-4 play and two 23-minute halves for local professional and collegiate players.

This Ryan Lindgren goal was a BEAUT 😍 pic.twitter.com/XFIdnmLpfj

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 15, 2024

Oh, and did we mention that defense is optional? After winning their first game last week 15-9, Team Walser rallied for an 11-10 shootout win Wednesday. Lindgren also had an assist in the latest contest and has six points (two goals, four assists) in two games. The rugged 26-year-old has 80 points (10 goals, 70 assists) in 333 NHL games with the Rangers.

One can only imagine the damage Lindgren’s defense partner on Broadway, Adam Fox, could do in these summer league games. The former Norris Trophy winner as top NHL defenseman averaged a point per game last season (73 points in 72 games), and The Athletic this week listed his contract as one of the best in the NHL, stating the $9.5 million annual deal has a future value of $15 million based on Fox’s outstanding play.

Related: John Vanbiesbrouck shares what makes Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault so special

Rangers’ Jonny Brodzinski joins in on summer league fun

Lindgren was joined by Rangers teammate Jonny Brodzinski in the win Wednesday. Brodzinski picked up two assists, including the tying goal late in the second half by Boston Bruins forward Riley Tufte.

Brodzinski is gearing up to battle for a spot on New York’s opening-night roster. If no further changes are made, Brodzinski will be in the mix for a fourth-line role or as the 13th forward. The 31-year-old played an NHL career-high 57 games last season and finished with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists). He was scoreless in three Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Lindgren is still trying to work out a contract with the Rangers. The RFA defenseman has an August 2 salary arbitration hearing scheduled, and Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported this week that the sides are expected to agree to a one-year deal prior to that date.

If his next contract is not a multi-year deal, Lindgren will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Playing a 4-on-4 format with two 23-minute halves, Lindgren had a goal and an assist to help Team Walser defeat Team TRIA 15-9 in a game that was clearly defense optional.

Lindgren’s goal with 7:37 to play in the first half was a snipe. He wired it under the crossbar from left wing after a quick pass from Aaron Huglan, a Buffalo Sabres prospect who spent the past three years at the University of Minnesota.

Ryan Lindgren goes bar-down to give Walser a 5-3 lead 🔥

📺: https://t.co/ZmF86YFt7p#daBL2024 | @WalserAutoGroup pic.twitter.com/KOkr2Biz1d

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 10, 2024

It must’ve been nice for Lindgren to see so much open ice after the Rangers were smothered for most of their Eastern Conference Final loss to the Florida Panthers this past spring.

Wearing an unfamiliar No. 8, Lindgren also assisted on a goal by former Rangers teammate Vinni Lettieri midway through the second half. It was one of four goals Lettieri, Team Walser’s captain, scored in a nine-minute span.

WATCH: Mollie Walker breaks down the Rangers offseason in interview with Forever Blueshirts

Rangers well represented at Da Beauty League

The Da Beauty League is a summer hockey league in Minnesota. It debuted in 2015, creating an opportunity for local NHL and NCAA players, as well as those from other pro leagues, the chance to play some competitive hockey when training in the offseason. There are four teams in the league, and each plays seven games before the playoffs. Games take place on Wednesday nights at Braemar Arena in Edina, Minnesota, from July 10 – August 28.

Justin Braun ➡️ Vinni Lettieri

Walser extends their lead to 4 goals 👀

📺: https://t.co/ZmF86YFt7p#daBL2024 | @NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/wDdJDOywx8

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 10, 2024

Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller and forward Jonny Brodzinski were also drafted by Lettieri to play for Team Walser, though neither was available to play in the first game Wednesday. Brodzinski’s brothers, Easton and Bryce, also play on the team, and each had a big night Wednesday.

Easton Brodzinski, a forward with Allen in the ECHL, had six points (one goal, five assists) in the wide-open contest. Bryce Brodzkinski, a 2019 draft pick by the Philadelphia Flyers, had one goal and two assists.

A restricted free agent, Lindgren filed for arbitration, meaning the 26-year-old and the Rangers have between 2-3 weeks to agree on a new deal or a hearing will be held and an arbitrator would decide on a one-year contract. If that’s the case, it would walk Lindgren into unrestricted free agency at the end of this coming season.

New York Post beat reporter Mollie Walker told Forever Blueshirts this week that since the Blueshirts have three key players (Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafreniere, K’Andre Miller) heading for major raises before the start of next season, the team may be content to accept the arbitrator’s ruling and move on with that one-year deal for Lindgren.

“I honestly think that might be the easiest path. Deal with it next season when you have a better idea of the other contracts you’re going to be handing out,” Walker said.

As one of the captains in the Da Beauty League, a summer hockey league featuring NHL players in Minnesota, the former Blueshirts forward made sure to load up on current Rangers when the annual draft was held Tuesday.

Lettieri, who had eight points (two goals, six assists) in 46 games over two seasons with New York, landed defensemen Ryan Lindgren and K’Andre Miller and forward Jonny Brodzinski in the draft. The only one of the three Lettieri played with in New York was Lindgren, briefly, in the 2018-19 season. That was Lettieri’s final season on Broadway and Lindgren’s first five NHL games.

Though Lettieri never played with Miller or Brodzinski in New York or the NHL, all of these players in Da Beauty League know each other from growing up and living in Minnesota. Many played with or against each other in youth leagues, high schools and/or in college before turning pro.

The Da Beauty League debuted in 2015, creating an opportunity for local NHL and NCAA players, as well as those from other pro leagues, an opportunity to play some competitive hockey when training in the offseason. There are four teams in the league, and each plays seven games before the playoffs. Games take place on Wednesday nights at Braemar Arena in Edina, Minnesota, from July 10 – August 28.

Da Beauty League is more than just a summer hockey league 🤩

Only two sleeps away from opening night 👀 pic.twitter.com/ziXVci4ZkY

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 8, 2024

Bragging rights are serious in the Da Beauty League but fun is a big component of the games, too. The 4-on-4 format consists of two 23-minute halves, with each team having one two-minute “hot puck” sequence each game where any goal scored counts double.

Overtime is admittedly “goofy,” per their own web site. OT is decided in a unique shootout format where the first team to three goals wins. However, each team is shooting at the same time and as soon as a player shoots, he races to his bench and a teammate hops on the ice to take his turn.

Needless to say, the amount of chirping between the players reaches great heights during these games and OT periods.

Related: Rangers’ Matt Rempe taking fighting lessons from former NHL heavyweight

Current, former Rangers taking part in summer Da Beauty League

Lindgren, Miller, Brodzinski and Lettieri will play for Team Walser this summer. Interestingly, defenseman Nick Jensen is also on that team. Jensen, you may recall, hurt Rangers defenseman Adam Fox with a knee-on-knee hit in Game 4 of the first-round series between the Blueshirts and Washington Capitals this past spring.

Other notable NHL players on Team Walser are defensemen Brock Faber and Jake Middleton and forward Nick Bjugstad.

Da Beauty League’s 2024 draft results are in!

Captains:
Brock Nelson (Anderson)
Nate Schmidt (TRIA)
Vinni Lettieri (Walser)
Derek Forbort (Element) pic.twitter.com/5KCTdeQFxP

— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 9, 2024

There are several other players with Rangers ties participating in the DBL this summer. Former Blueshirts captain Ryan McDonagh, an original member of the league back in 2015, was selected by captain Brock Nelson to play for Team Anderson, along with Rangers nemesis Jake Guentzel. And former Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei is on Team Tria after being selected by captain Nate Schmidt.

In an interesting plot twist, Nelson didn’t select his Islanders teammate Anders Lee, who ended up along with Skjei on Team Tria. Hmmmm.

Da Beauty League won’t be the only thing on Lindgren’s mind this summer, of course. The 26-year-old restricted free agent is in contract negotiations with the Rangers and recently filed for arbitration. Since Lindgren can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season, the Rangers do not want an arbitrator to hand the defenseman a one-year contract and walk him right into UFA status. So, the sides are trying to work out a longer-term contract, though the length of this deal could be a sticking point between the sides — Lindgren seeking more years than New York is likely comfortable with.

Here are the latest happenings in Rangerstown

Skjei Dazzles In DBL

Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei scored a gorgeous goal last night in Da Beauty League action.

Rangers National TV Schedule

NBC announced their slate of games this season and the Rangers will be playing in 13 nationally televised games. The first NBC game for the Blueshirts will be October 17 when the Rangers face the Devils for their first matchup of the season.

Both he and former Ranger, Ryan McDonagh play for team Walser Auto Group and they led them to victory last night.

The final score was 10-7 and Minnesota native, McDonagh stopped to take some time to pose for pics with local fans.

Here are the latest rumblings around Rangerstown.

Graves Appears On TSN Radio

Rangers icon Adam Graves joined Landsberg In The Morning on TSN1050 and discussed one of the Blueshirts’ top prospects while promoting the SmileZone organization’s golf outing. Graves spoke on the competitive nature of Lias Andersson and where the organization stands in the grand scope of things.

• On Andersson’s character and competitive spirit: “When you have character young kids like Andersson, it’s much easier on the development side. He is a kid that will find a way to have an impact on the game every night because he is so hungry.”
• The discussion on Andersson turned to the now famous medal-throwing incident, on which Graves had this to say: “On a stage like that there is going to be some negative feedback but like anyone else, he’s competitive, a great character kid and that is part of life.”

To listen to the full interview, click here.

Vitali Kravtsov

NY Post

The 2018 first-round pick is heading back to the KHL to continue his development, and Larry Brooks of the New York Post says that it isn’t as simple as it may appear. Brooks says that there had been disputes between the Rangers and Kravtsov’s KHL team HC Traktor regarding the final year of the 18-year-old’s contract. Reports are that the KHL side had been ready to file a grievance, which would have prevented Kravtsov from playing for either organization while any potential court case was being settled. Kravtsov will be playing against grown men over in the KHL which will certainly aide him as he matures in hockey.

Another thing to look forward to will be the 2019 World Junior Championships in British Columbia where Kravtsov will have every opportunity to showcase his talents to the world while representing Russia. Kravtsov played last season in all three levels of Russian hockey (KHL, VHL, MHL) and should be eager to make a name for himself in the KHL before coming over to North America.

Rangers Playing Summer Hockey

Now in its fourth year, Da Beauty League in Minnesota plays host to an unofficial hockey summer league for NHLers, AHLers and more. This year’s league contains a few members of the Rangers organization in forwards Steven Fogarty, Tyler Nanne, and Vinni Lettieri, as well as defenseman Brady Skjei. Each team has played one game so far during this DBL season, and Nanne has already scored a goal and picked up an assist. Fogarty and Lettieri have also scored goals for their teams, while Brady Skjei has yet to crack the scoresheet. Lettieri’s goal, a laser over the goaltender’s glove, was listed in the DBL’s top-ten plays of the first week of action.