Everyone's favorite conversation about the New York Rangers revolves around Ryan Lindgren. His fall rivals that of the bronze age for how drastic a collapse it has been, but the reasons for it are admirable. Lindgren has given everything for this franchise time and again for several years. Since coming to New York in the Rick Nash trade, the Rangers have had this defenseman play a significant part on their blueline, and his body is starting to break down.
Lindgren's injury list is becoming longer as the years have ticked on, but the Blueshirts need an upgrade over the Massachusetts native. There's been no escaping his rapid decline in the Blueshirt of the Rangers, and now the defense of the Rangers needs to be strengthened. Understanding why the fall of Lindgren has occurred isn't tricky, but it is sad. It may also provide challenges for Chris Drury, the Rangers' general manager.
Lindgren has frequently given his body to this franchise. Forever willing to sit in front of heavy shots to protect his netminder, Lindgren's sacrifice for this organization has steadily declined his performances on the Rangers' top pairing, affecting his ability to skate. He's now perpetually out of position, reaching for the puck or losing his positioning on forwards driving to the crease. It's affecting Adam Fox, one of the Rangers' most significant issues.
Lindgren will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, so there is not much left in this relationship. However, the Rangers must upgrade before this summer if they want to make any headway in the postseason. New York's defense has been makeshift all season, and having one of their largest strugglers play on the top pairing puts that issue on full display. New York needs to change Fox's partner and look outside the organization for it.
The Numbers
Lindgren's counting stats have never been his major selling point, but they've dropped exceptionally this year. He has just 2 goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 48 games. That's good for Lindgren. However, he's a -5 on the year. Playing with Adam Fox and being a -5 suggests an issue beyond just the production, and the eye test supports this theory. However, +/- is the most useless stat in the world, so let's turn to analytics.
Per NaturalStatTrick, Lindgren has the 5th worst expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) among the six usual Rangers defensemen, only better than Braden Schneider. His expected goals for percentage (xGF%) is 4th, only above Urho Vaakanainen and Schneider. It's not good enough for someone who the Rangers need to play more than 20 minutes a night. New York needs an upgrade, and soon.