hampus lindholm

The NY Rangers are going to be looking to address their two biggest holes this offseason. Those are left defense and center. Focus has been on center depth and how explosive the offense can be, but left defense is a major concern. Outside of Ryan Lindgren, who has just one season under his belt, the Rangers are lacking realistic long-term options. Hampus Lindholm has significant popularity in the trade rumor mill, and he’s a legitimate target for the NY Rangers.

Lindholm is a true shutdown 1LD in Anaheim. He doesn’t put up big numbers, but he puts up enough offensive to remain a viable two-way defender with an emphasis on defensive zone play. The 26 year old is signed for another two years at $5.205 million, after which he will become a UFA.

Lindholm’s Game

Lindholm isn’t going to be your flashy big time scorer on the left side. He’s about a 25-30 point guy, but it’s more than goals and assists. Lindholm is a great transition defenseman who makes that critical first pass to start the breakout.

Last year Lindholm, like the rest of the Ducks, struggled offensively. However his defensive game was spot on. The blue on the left side indicates a strong defensive awareness in his own zone. Given his strong skating and good hockey IQ, this checks out. Lindholm also makes a strong first pass to help transition the game out of the zone.

Where the Rangers struggled against Carolina was in making the second pass to get out of the zone. With only three legitimate puck movers, all on the right side, Carolina waited and pressured that second pass. More options on the blue line give more options for that second pass. Lindholm’s poise with the puck is one of his great strengths, and helps address this need.

Filling a need

Lindholm would instantly be the 1LD on the Rangers. No disrespect to Ryan Lindgren, who had a great rookie season, far better than any expectations. If he and Adam Fox are the projected second pair, then the Rangers still need a viable LD to pair with Jacob Trouba.

It looks like the team isn’t going to put Tony DeAngelo on the left side. This means the only other realistic options are Marc Staal (nope), Brendan Smith (likely traded), or K’Andre Miller (don’t rush him). Putting him with Trouba puts two solid all-around defensemen on the top pair, something the Rangers haven’t had in some time.

A flat cap means the Rangers need to be very careful with how they spend money. Getting two years of Lindholm at $5.2 million to play on the top pair is money well spent.

Cost and Future

Lindholm is only 26, so the Rangers aren’t exactly landing a grizzled veteran on a downward trend. They are getting a guy in his prime that should continue to play at his current level for a few more years. In theory, the Rangers are able to extend Lindholm to keep the LD rounded out. This is a move that would have immediate and medium-term benefits.

The Ducks have committed to Cam Fowler long term. It appears that Lindholm and his pending contract expiry after 2021-2022 is the odd-man out. The Ducks also aren’t contending with some bad contracts and minimal skill on the roster. There’s room to make a deal here, but it depends on what the Ducks are looking for.

The Ducks have already traded Ondrej Kase for futures, so that appears to be what they are targeting. The Rangers have a lot of that. Carolina’s 1st is on the table in a deal like this. However it’s unlikely the Ducks are looking at players like Tony DeAngelo, Ryan Strome, or Alex Georgiev. A prospect will need to go the other way.

Would the Rangers dangle Vitali Kravtsov in this situation? Maybe. Does Anaheim see any value in Brett Howden or Lias Andersson? Likely not. Forward spots on that roster are a scarcity unless they blow it up.

Perhaps they find value in Libor Hajek? Doubtful. How highly do the Ducks rate Tarmo Reunanen or Yegor Rykov? Does it take the next level up in Zac Jones or Matthew Robertson?

The Ducks don’t *need* to make a trade. But if they are truly rebuilding, then he is a valuable asset to them. The Rangers have the futures to spare. The trade rumor mill is swirling with the Rangers, and Hampus Lindholm does fill a big need.

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