For all of the calamity and the disaster that greeted the New York Rangers at nearly every turn during the first half of the 2024-25 season, they somehow, almost unbelievably, are still very much in the thick of a playoff hunt.
Filip Chytil and Chris Kreider are back in the lineup after recovering from upper-body injuries and the Blueshirts had won four of their previous six games prior to Tuesday night’s overtime loss to the high-powered Colorado Avalanche. While they fumbled away a lead late and missed out on the winner’s point, it was still another suggestion that things might be turning around for New York.
There is still an abundance of work to do, though. They woke up on Wednesday morning third-from-bottom in the Eastern Conference, though they are just five points out of the final Wild Card spot, which is currently held by the Columbus Blue Jackets with 48 points. It is important to note that five teams sit between them and their Metropolitan Division counterparts.
New York’s “will they, won’t they” status leaves general manager Chris Drury with some big decisions to make before the NHL’s March 7 trade deadline. He has already traded away ex-captain Jacob Trouba and young forward Kaapo Kakko and the league is under the impression that the Rangers are open for business.
Kreider’s name has come up plenty in trade rumors and young blue-liner Zac Jones has been given permission to seek a trade after being relegated from the defensive rotation. But one of the biggest calls will come regarding another young defenseman in Ryan Lindgren, who continues to garner interest from around the league.
The oft-injured 26-year-old has two goals and seven assists while averaging nearly 20 minutes per game, presenting a solid middle-unit option for a contending team looking to bolster its blue line before a playoff push.
Just within the Eastern Conference alone, a number of teams would love to have a talent like Lindgren to add to their back end. The defending Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers could use another competent d-man. The Ottawa Senators are one point out of a playoff spot and could use a rental to bolster their injury-riddled unit. The Detroit Red Wings could not only use his help on defense, but on their penalty-kill, as well.
Out west, the Winnipeg Jets could create an all-Rangers second pairing by bringing in Lindgren to lineup alongside Neal Pionk. The Los Angeles Kings have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to right-handed defensemen, but they don’t have many lefties to work with — Lindgren could help fix that issue. Even the dysfunctional Vancouver Canucks, who are on the cusp of the playoff conversation, could use a puck-moving defenseman.
The interest will be there if Drury opts to sell this winter. Only the Rangers’ play will dictate what path he takes.
