Kraken Free Agency
One would think the competition was stiff, but the Seattle Kraken were able to ink versatile 27-year-old defenseman Ryan Lindgren to a four-year contract averaging $4.5-million per season.
The Burnsville, Minnesota native spent almost six full seasons with the New York Rangers before being sent to the Colorado Avalanche at the trade deadline this past March. Colorado’s playoff aspirations fell short.
Like recent Kraken acquisition Freddie Gaudreau, Lindgren will help bolster Seattle’s previously below average penalty kill. The former 2nd-round draft pick (2016) also brings decent size, 6-foot, 195-pounds, and strong, responsible d-zone play. He’s also showing signs of stepping things up at the other end. Lindgren posted a career high 22 points over 72 games last season.
“Ryan’s a heart-and-soul player who competes every shift,” Kraken GM Jason Botterill said in a statement. “He does whatever it takes to win and has been a key fixture on the penalty kill throughout his career. We’re excited to welcome him to the team.”
Getting stronger and getting younger along the blueline is a point of emphasis for Seattle. The other top priority, finding or developing a first-line center, couldn’t be fulfilled via free agency given a thin market.
Seattle did add some goalie insurance by signing former tw0-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray to a one-year, $1-million deal. The 31-year-old spent most of his time with the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League last season.
With Lindgren on-board, four of the six projected NHL D-men are left-handed, including the newcomer. Lindgren would be a nice compliment to Ryker Evans, with the latter likely playing the right side. That’s if new head coach Lane Lambert doesn’t shake up the other pairs.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Preseason Schedule Is Set
