Rangers fans brace for Ryan Lindgren's return to Madison Square Garden with Seattle Kraken

Monday is going to be a bit of a bittersweet moment for New York Rangers fans, as not only will they look to cheer on a team that just got historically trounced in Boston, but they will be welcoming back a pair of familiar faces who were part of squads that went to the Eastern Conference Final. Kaapo Kakko is a former top prospect who never fully lived up to his potential, and the other player is a name who was a fan favorite that many could see ending up back with the organization as an ambassador once his career is over.

Ryan Lindgren was a warrior who routinely put his body in harm's way

Ryan Lindgren will forever be known as a warrior, and a player who routinely gave his blood and sweat for the fans. The organization has had many players of Lindgren's archetype over the years, and he filled a void that was vacated by Dan Girardi in many ways. Although the end of his tenure with the Rangers was filled with poor play, it was to be expected considering the amount of minutes Lindgren logged, and the bombastic nature of his play style.

Lindgren ate sticks and pucks for a living, and there are so many moments throughout the years in which the former Blueshirt dawned a crimson mask. Sometimes it was after catching a stick, other times it was blocking a puck, or other times it was after eating some punches by stepping up to fight in defense of a teammate. In my years of being a fan, there are certain players who I affectionately remember as a "Black and Blueshirt", and Lindgren sits high atop the list.

Lindgren had a run as an elite defender who was perfect partner for Adam Fox

Chris Kreider made his return to Madison Square Garden back in December, and it was a game in which Mika Zibanejad was a healthy scratch. Given the history between the two, it would have been a little weird seeing the two face off against each other. It is hard not to have that feeling again today, and reflect on how it is just happenstance that Adam Fox won't be able to play against his longtime friend and defense partner as he recovers from injury. Fox and Lindgren would have no problem doing it, but it's hard to imagine both on The Garden ice competing against each other. Both players had a stretch of excellence for the Rangers, and were an integral part of a team that went to two Eastern Conference Finals.

Back in 2021-22, Fox and Lindgren logged 1,137 minutes together at 5v5 and posted a 55.15 GF%, a 49.48 CF%, and a 50.49 xGF%. The Rangers allowed just 2.11 goals against per 60 minutes when the pair was on the ice, and it was an impressive pair that logged the third-most minutes together in the league that season.

During the 2023-24 season they logged 911 minutes together, and posted a tremendous 60.65 GF%, a 50.17 CF%, and only a 45.25 xGF%. This go around they only surrendered 1.72 goals against per 60 minutes when on the ice, and certainly were bailed out by a little bit of luck. From that point on it was obvious that Lindgren was starting to slow down, and it was the beginning of the end of his tenure that officially concluded with a trade to the Colorado Avalanche.

Fans will, and should, greet Lindgren warmly

I have no doubt that Lindgren will get a hearty round of applause when the team plays a tribute for Lindgren on MSG's Jumbotron. He joined the Rangers at a time in which they were rebuilding through "The Letter" and no one expected him to have the immense impact he did when he came over from Boston as part of the Rick Nash trade.

He exceeded any and all expectations, and was a legitimate top pair defender for a team that was wins away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final. The Rangers got the most they could from Lindgren, and there should be no hard feelings for anyone with how things ended. Lindgren is now in Seattle where he's being paid a fair salary to extend his career, and given how poorly things have gone lately for the Rangers, I am sure fans will enjoy briefly reflecting on the player Lindgren was, and will welcome him back to celebrate him for the warrior he was.