The New York Rangers are said to be in the market for an upgrade on left defense for the playoffs. With the NHL Trade Deadline about a month away there’s been several defensemen they’ve been linked to.
Seattle Kraken blue-liner Mark Giordano is one name that fits the bill. Another is Montreal Canadiens’ Ben Chiarot. Emerging recently is Ducks defender Hampus Lindholm.
Rangers should look at Hampus Lindholm
The Anaheim Ducks surprised a lot of people coming out of the gate this season. A young and talented squad held first place in the Pacific for quite awhile but are fast slipping in the playoff race.
Anaheim has several pending UFAs and Lindholm is one of them. They won’t be able to retain them all knowing they need to extend young stars like Trevor Zegras.
Lindholm, 28, is making $5.2 million against the cap which is not an issue for the Rangers this season. The big left-handed defenseman (6-4, 216) has 19 points in 48 games this season averaging top pair minutes at 22:50.
The 9-year veteran can play in all situations and be a huge influence on Braden Schneider as his partner. He can also move up to play with Jacob Trouba late in games to shutdown opponents.
The cost to land Lindholm
When it comes to the cost to land a top rental defenseman, it isn’t cheap. Last season, the Tampa Bay Lightning gave the Blue Jackets a first and third round pick for shutdown blue-liner David Savard.
If the Rangers are going to play the rental game, fans need to understand how expensive it is to acquire them. Lindholm, who can also move the puck and chip in some offense is likely to cost a first round pick and more.
Yes, I’m sure the Ducks would take a cost controlled prospect on an ELC but sending over Nils Lundkvist for a player likely to walk in the summer makes no sense. Unless the Ducks were going to send more the other way which I don’t see at this time.
Regardless, if Lindholm is available at the deadline the Rangers should investigate. He is certainly worth giving up a first round pick to strengthen the blue-line for the playoffs.
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