The Boston Bruins are expected to be aggressive this offseason after missing the playoffs and being one of the worst teams in the league.
Ahead of free agency, one area of need is on the blue line, and The Fourth Period links the Bruins to a reunion with a former top prospect. The outlet links Boston to a reunion with defenseman Ryan Lindgren.
“Lindgren is heading to free agency and will be testing the market. There are a lot of teams interested in a rugged, right-shot defenceman, and Lindgren should cash in on a solid contract, especially given his age. Teams reportedly linked: Columbus, Boston, Detroit, Edmonton,” the article read.
Lindgren completed his one-year, $4.5 million deal and is expected to get a multi-year deal. Lindgren was drafted 49th overall in 2016 by the Bruins, and he was a key part of the trade that brought Rick Nash to Boston. He never played a game in Boston as he was traded while he was in college.
The 27-year-old defenseman spent last season between the New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche, as the Avs acquired him at the deadline. Between the two teams, Lindgren skated 72 games, recording 4 goals and 18 assists for 22 points.
What is Lindgren Expected to Get in Free Agency?
Lindgren is a solid second or third-pairing defenseman and is expected to get a multi-year deal in free agency.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff ranked Lindgren as the 34th-best free agent. The outlet, using AFP Analytics, projects Lindgren to sign a three-year deal worth $4 million per season.
Lindgren did make $4.5 million last season, so making less would be a bit of a surprise. But the defenseman could opt for less money on a longer-term deal after he signed just a one-year deal last season.
Lindgren helped Team USA win the World Junior Gold in 2017 while he was a top prospect for the Boston Bruins.
In his NHL career, Lindgren has skated in 405 career games, recording 14 goals and 88 assists for 102 points.
Bruins Picking Best Player Available in NHL Draft
Heading into a pivotal offseason, Boston’s first chance to get better is at the NHL Draft.
The Draft is set for June 27-28 in Los Angeles, and the Bruins have the seventh overall pick. If Boston takes a defenseman, it could rule them out of signing someone like Lindgren.
Yet, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney says the team will just be picking the best player available.
“We’re looking for the most impactful players,” Sweeney said. “Impact can come (in the form of) competitiveness. It can come in hockey sense, it can come in skill, it can come in scoring. When you combine them all, you get the perfect storm.
“It’s not a positional decision for us,” Sweeney added. “Do we have areas that we would like to fortify if we have an opportunity to, depending on where the draft is deepest and you can choose between players who might be similarly positioned. But ultimately, we have to find the most competitive and skilled players that we possibly can.”
In total, Boston has seven picks. The Bruins also have just over $23 million in cap space.
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