Ryan Lindgren’s summer season in Da Beauty League is off to an impressive start. The Rangers defenseman went bar down in his team’s summer league opener on Wednesday night.
Playing a 4-on-4 format with two 23-minute halves, Lindgren had a goal and an assist to help Team Walser defeat Team TRIA 15-9 in a game that was clearly defense optional.
Lindgren’s goal with 7:37 to play in the first half was a snipe. He wired it under the crossbar from left wing after a quick pass from Aaron Huglan, a Buffalo Sabres prospect who spent the past three years at the University of Minnesota.
It must’ve been nice for Lindgren to see so much open ice after the Rangers were smothered for most of their Eastern Conference Final loss to the Florida Panthers this past spring.
Wearing an unfamiliar No. 8, Lindgren also assisted on a goal by former Rangers teammate Vinni Lettieri midway through the second half. It was one of four goals Lettieri, Team Walser’s captain, scored in a nine-minute span.
Rangers well represented at Da Beauty League
The Da Beauty League is a summer hockey league in Minnesota. It debuted in 2015, creating an opportunity for local NHL and NCAA players, as well as those from other pro leagues, the chance to play some competitive hockey when training in the offseason. There are four teams in the league, and each plays seven games before the playoffs. Games take place on Wednesday nights at Braemar Arena in Edina, Minnesota, from July 10 – August 28.
Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller and forward Jonny Brodzinski were also drafted by Lettieri to play for Team Walser, though neither was available to play in the first game Wednesday. Brodzinski’s brothers, Easton and Bryce, also play on the team, and each had a big night Wednesday.
Easton Brodzinski, a forward with Allen in the ECHL, had six points (one goal, five assists) in the wide-open contest. Bryce Brodzkinski, a 2019 draft pick by the Philadelphia Flyers, had one goal and two assists.
A restricted free agent, Lindgren filed for arbitration, meaning the 26-year-old and the Rangers have between 2-3 weeks to agree on a new deal or a hearing will be held and an arbitrator would decide on a one-year contract. If that’s the case, it would walk Lindgren into unrestricted free agency at the end of this coming season.
New York Post beat reporter Mollie Walker told Forever Blueshirts this week that since the Blueshirts have three key players (Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafreniere, K’Andre Miller) heading for major raises before the start of next season, the team may be content to accept the arbitrator’s ruling and move on with that one-year deal for Lindgren.
“I honestly think that might be the easiest path. Deal with it next season when you have a better idea of the other contracts you’re going to be handing out,” Walker said.
