Rangers sign Lindgren to a risky contract

This just in, Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the New York Rangers have signed defenseman Ryan Lindgren to a one year contract worth $4.5 million.

This deal will walk the 26 year old Lindgren to free agency next summer, so it certainly is a big risk for the Rangers.

The native of Burnsville, MN put up three goal, 17 points and 36 penalty minutes in 76 games with the Rangers last season.

Just yesterday Rangers insider Larry Brooks of The New York Post reported that both Lindgren and the Rangers were far apart on a deal and would have a difficult time bridging the gap before salary arbitration. Brooks reported that Lindgren was seeking a four or five year deal worth $5 million per season, while the Rangers were only offering $4 million on a short-term deal. In the end, the two sides split the difference in salary but Lindgren wasn't able to get the term that he was seeking.

Interestingly enough though, Brooks reported that a one year deal may be preferred because it would enable the two sides more time to negotiate a long-term deal in the New Year.

From Brooks' most recent column for The New York Post:

Lindgren has only one year to go before becoming eligible for unrestricted free agency. We’re told that it is possible that the club and the left-matchup defenseman could reach agreement on a one-year contract ahead of arbitration. This would allow the parties to reset and resume negotiations for a long-term deal on Jan. 1, as per the collective bargaining agreement. If unfulfilled, Lindgren would go onto the open market next summer.

- Larry Brooks

And that's how things ultimately played out... at least so far.

It'll be interesting to see how this new deal affects Lindgren's status in the 2024-25 season. He'll be a pending free agent and he'll no doubt be the subject of trade rumors for the duration of the campaign. Unless, of course, he opts to sign a deal with more term once we get into 2025.