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New York Rangers: The most improved player this season

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 10: New York Rangers Defenceman Ryan Lindgren (55) on ice during an Eastern Conference match-up between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers on November 10, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 10: New York Rangers Defenceman Ryan Lindgren (55) on ice during an Eastern Conference match-up between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers on November 10, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 02: Ryan Lindgren #55 of the New York Rangers takes a shot on goalie Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators during the third period at Bridgestone Arena on November 02, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 02: Ryan Lindgren #55 of the New York Rangers takes a shot on goalie Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators during the third period at Bridgestone Arena on November 02, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

What a difference a year makes.

Now, six games into his second trip to the NHL, he has a goal and an assist and a scintillating plus/minus of +5.   He has stepped into the third defense pairing with fellow rookie Adam Fox.

That duo has been a natural. They played together for two years on the U.S. National U17 and U18 teams in the USHL National Development Program before college.  They also played together at two World Junior Championships, winning gold and bronze medals and often finding themselves paired together.

Lindgren got his first NHL assist on Fox’s first NHL goal in Nashville.  It was Lindgren’s outlet pass to Chris Kreider that led to the rebound goal for Fox.

Needless to say, it was Fox who got to keep the puck.

The way he is playing, it will be hard to get him out of the lineup.  When Marc Staal returns from his ankle injury, it could be fellow former Gopher Brady Skjei who ends up in the press box.  While Ryan Lindgren will not be in the Calder Trophy conversation this season, he is quietly establishing himself as an outstanding rookie on a team full of them.

Related Story. Big night for Kakko and Fox. light

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