When the Rangers acquired Ryan Lindgren in the Rick Nash trade, he was viewed as a player who could provide a physical presence to the blue line, but not necessarily add much offensive value. He had a decent season last year with Hartford, but wasn’t exactly showing that he was destined for great things in the NHL.
This year things are different. After just nine games in Hartford, Lindgren was recalled to the Rangers where he’s been able to stick. Lindgren was called up with Filip Chytil on October 28, and even then was a bit of an afterthought because the blue line was pretty full.