The New York Rangers have been struggling over their last six games after starting the season 5-0-1. During that span, they scored 31 goals and allowed only 11 goals, while giving up 178 shots against. Although the shots-against number wasn't ideal, the other stats were among the best in the league. However, over the last six games, things have changed. They have scored only 14 goals, given up 18 goals, and allowed 208 shots against.
So, What's the Problem?
I'm not going to solely blame the Rangers' defensive woes over the last six games on Ryan Lindgren, but since his return to the lineup, outside of the Montreal game, both he and the defense as a whole have been poor. They're leaving Igor Shesterkin out to dry with a barrage of shots and high-quality chances. Lindgren missed the first five games of the season with a broken jaw, sustained in a preseason fight against the Islanders.
Over the years, he's frequently been banged up, which is affecting his ability to play solid defensive hockey. It appears he's wearing down, and his play is declining as he takes a beating every game. His style of play isn't sustainable for longevity, and it might be time to move on from Lindgren before his value is completely diminished.
A player to compare Lindgren to is Dan Girardi, who played a similarly tough, defense-first style of hockey. Girardi was consistently banged up, which hurt his ability to play at his best, and the Rangers held onto him too long, ultimately losing his value. Ryan Lindgren seems to be on a similar trajectory. In 7 games, he has 1 goal, 0 assists, and a -1 plus/minus rating.
He looks slow in transition and doesn't provide any offensive upside. The Rangers' biggest issue in the playoffs last season was their defense getting worn down and struggling to break the puck out. Lindgren isn't a great passer and takes a lot of physical punishment, which could be a liability when the Rangers inevitably return to the playoffs.
Lindgren is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, and I believe there's almost no chance the Rangers will bring him back. He's about to turn 27, and his body is starting to break down from all the blocked shots, hits, and frequent injuries. He's making $5 million this season, which already seems too high for a player who is probably more suited to a third-pairing role now. I don’t see the Rangers offering him anything close to that.
The Rangers are going to have to pay Igor Shesterkin this offseason along with other players and they won't have the money to re-sign Lindgren. If they want to improve their defensive play and increase their chances of winning the Cup in June, it's essential they move on from Lindgren and look for a younger defenseman who can move the puck. They may need to include a draft pick in any potential trade. While Lindgren remains a fan favorite and has been a serviceable defenseman over the past seven years, for the good of the team, it's time to move on.