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The Lasting Impact Of New York Rangers Defencemen Ryan Lindgren

There are a list of players you can go down when it comes to the New York Rangers. However, one of the more impactful players has been New York Rangers Ryan Lindgren. Despite this team having a stout top six unit and Adam Fox, Lindgren has made his impact felt in the lineup.

Ryan Lindgren’s Impact Missed Right Now

New York Rangers Ryan Lindgren has yet to suit up in the month of March. On hit by TJ Oshie, he has remained out of the lineup since. His status is day-to-day, but his impact is missed within the lineup. Even though this team has players like Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin, Lindgren is an unsung hero type of guy. With all the attention surrounding newly acquired wingers in Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, the impact of Lindgren may get lost in the dust.


Lindgren Individually

For majority of this season, New York Rangers Ryan Lindgren has been one of the best on the back end. There is so much to love about his game. His willingness to block shots, make big hits, and smother you defensively. When he is on the ice, Lindgren does not give you much and makes life hard for the opposition. He ranks at the top in most individual categories which helps display his impacts. Here’s where Lindgren ranks among the Rangers blue line:

Corsi For (Possession): 54.57% (2nd)

XGF%: 54.11% (2nd)

High Danger CF: 54.64% (2nd)

As you see here, Lindgren ranks second and only comes behind Adam Fox. In fact, Fox is his defensive partner. What makes Lindgren so impactful is his ability to possess the puck, but also generate chances. With him on the ice the Rangers are able to generate high-quality stuff. One eye-opening thing about Lindgren is he has only been on the ice for 12 high danger goals (fewest among defensemen).

As A Pair

Not only has Lindgren been great individually, but he has also been great as a pair. Him and Fox have been the best on the team across the board. For all pairs on the team that have logged 150 minutes, here is where they rank:

XGoals For Per 60: 2.8 (1st)

XGoals Against Per 60: 2.18 (1st)

Goals for Per 60: 2.87 (1st)

Goals Against Per 60: 1.62 (first)

In addition to these metrics, they’ve got the best possession numbers, ability to generate chances, and generating chances of high quality. These two are absolute dynamite together. They have performed as expected offensively, which includes being on the ice for 39 goals (highest among pairs). In addition, 22 of them are from the high-danger areas. Defensively they have performed above expectations and have been great at suppressing chances and limiting the opposition. But things have not gone well in his absence.

Life Without Lindgren

You can make the argument that Adam Fox is the best defenseman in the league. But life without the warrior Ryan Lindgren has not been easy. In his absence, he has been paired with Niko Mikkola who came over in the Tarasenko trade. As a pair, they have been on the ice for two goals for, but nine against. In addition, they have the worst possession metrics (43.75 CF%), and have not been able to generate anything offensively (40.34 xGF%). To make matters worse, five of the nine goals against are from the high-danger area of the ice. For a comparable; when Fox is paired with Lindgren they’ve been on the ice for 11 high danger goals. However, they’ve played over 800 minutes together. Not ideal especially for your top pair. It is very uncharacteristic for Adam Fox, and hopefully, Lindgren arrives sooner than later.

Lindgren Can’t Come Back Soon Enough

It remains to be seen when New York Rangers Ryan Lindgren will return to the lineup. A situation that has remained day to day and has gone on for far too long. The warrior on the back end is missed and his impact is felt when in the lineup. New York is in playoff position, but have gone 4-2-1 in his absence. That is very good, but this team can hit a new gear as stated by centre Vincent Trocheck. He said, “We got 5 out of 6 points on the trip, but I think we all know in here that we need to be better.”

The chance to be better is right around the corner as they return home to take on the Washington Capitals. It begins a five-game home stand.

Main Photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Tommy Bennett

Tommy Bennett

Tommy Bennett has been a hockey fan his entire life. He grew up in New Jersey watching the New Jersey Devils with his father, while also being a Boston Bruins fan. Now he shares his love of the game through writing. Follow along on twitter @TJBennettt37.

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