Ryan Lindgren is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season after recently signing a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the New York Rangers.
Much could change in the next 11 months that might impact Lindgren’s status as a free agent. He might sign an extension with the Rangers after January 1, which could eliminate his initial free-agent period, depending on the length of the new deal. Alternatively, he could have a standout season and become too costly for the Rangers to keep. Conversely, a disappointing or injury-riddled season could diminish his value and affect his standing with both the Rangers and potential suitors. He could also help lead the Rangers to a Stanley Cup victory and leave New York with a hero’s welcome.
Currently, Lindgren is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing defensemen available on July 1.
Known for his toughness, Lindgren plays through injuries and prioritizes the team, embodying a hard-hitting style of play. He has been a top-pair defenseman for several years and is recognized as one of the NHL’s better penalty killers. With 43 playoff games under his belt and helping the Rangers reach the conference finals twice in three years, he’s a player with a strong track record.
However, he is coming off his worst statistical season in the NHL and his playing style may contribute to a shorter career span due to its physical nature. This might explain why the Rangers opted for a one-year deal rather than a multi-year contract. Additionally, he has never surpassed 18 points in a season.
New York will also face a tight salary cap situation next summer, with contract negotiations for Igor Shesterkin (UFA), Alexis Lafreniere (RFA), and K’Andre Miller (RFA) to consider.
Thus, Lindgren’s future is uncertain. For now, let’s take a look at where he stands among other upcoming free-agent defensemen, with salary details provided by Puck Pedia.
Rangers’ Ryan Lindgren among top free-agent defensemen in 2025
When considering potential free agents for next summer, two standout names are recent Stanley Cup champions Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers and Shea Theodore of the Vegas Golden Knights. Both are in a different class compared to Lindgren and will attract more attention and higher salaries, though each has their own injury concerns. Ekblad is a top-pair right-handed defenseman, while Theodore excels as an offensive force, consistently surpassing 40 points in five straight seasons, including a notable 42 points in just 47 games last season.
More directly comparable to Lindgren are Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings, and Marcus Pettersson of the Pittsburgh Penguins. These defensemen play on the left side and are close in age to Lindgren—Pettersson and Gavrikov are two years older, and Provorov is one year older.
Among this group, Gavrikov currently has the highest salary at $5.875 million, followed by Provorov at $4.725 million, Lindgren at $4.5 million, and Pettersson at $4.025 million. Gavrikov, Provorov, and Pettersson all log more ice time than Lindgren, largely because Lindgren does not play on the power play. Provorov, in particular, is notable for his offensive production, having achieved 30+ points five times, and he is also highly durable, playing all 82 games in five seasons, including the last two. Lindgren’s 333 NHL games are the fewest among these defensemen, with Provorov leading with 614, and Gavrikov having 353. Pettersson, though often overlooked, had the highest ice time last season (22:40) and was a plus-28 on a non-playoff team.
Lindgren is a strong candidate among these defensemen depending on what teams are seeking.
Additionally, there are several older left-shot defensemen who will attract interest, such as Dmitry Orlov, who will play on the top pairing for the Carolina Hurricanes and has a $7.75 million cap hit. Other notable names include Esa Lindell (30) of the Dallas Stars, Alec Martinez (37) of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Adam Larsson (31) of the Seattle Kraken.
On the right side, besides Ekblad, potential free agents include Cody Ceci of the Edmonton Oilers, Brent Burns (who will be 40) of the Hurricanes, and 25-year-old Henri Jokiharju of the Buffalo Sabres.
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