Salary cap disaster looms: Avalanche top defenseman could be gone sooner than you think
Photo credit: AP Photo / Julio Cortez
The Colorado Avalanche may find it difficult to re-sign Ryan Lindgren due to salary cap limitation.
The Avalanche addressed a significant priority by re-signing trade deadline addition Bock Nelson, but there's another key UFA on Colorado's to-do list this summer.
Nestor Quixtan from Mile High Sticking writes that Lindgren was acquired from the New York Rangers in another major trade deadline deal, providing much-needed stability on the team's defense.
"The Colorado Avalanche could land Lindgren at around $4 to $5 million per season on a longer-term deal, perhaps one in the four to five-year range. If that's the case, the Colorado Avalanche could have the flexibility to move one of Josh Manson or Samuel Girard, if circumstances came to it." -Quixtan
Regardless of what the Avalanche paid for Lindgren, it's logical to keep him on the roster. He's a solid second-pair defenseman who can step up play alongside Cale Makar if Devon Toews is sidelined.
"Moreover, Lindgren could slide down to the third pairing if both Manson and Girard are available in the second pair. But putting Lindgren on the third pair would be a waste. So, it seems to be that a Girard-Lindgren pair could make sense with one of them playing on their offside." -Quixtan
There's another factor to consider. Josh Manson is heading into the year of his current deal, which comes with a $4.5 million cap hit. The Avalanche might explore trading that final year, particular since injuries have increasingly been an issue for the 33-year-old in recent seasons.
However, another move could very well be in the works, motivating the Avs to re-sign Lindgren before another team steps in to acquire him.
Source:
Mile High Sticking
Colorado Avalanche free agency: Looking at Ryan Lindgren's projected value
Mile High Sticking
Colorado Avalanche free agency: Looking at Ryan Lindgren's projected value
| POLL | ||
JUIN 11 | 26 ANSWERS Salary cap disaster looms: Avalanche top defenseman could be gone sooner than you think Do you think the Avalanche should prioritize re-signing defenseman Ryan Lindgren this offseason? | ||
| yes | 15 | 57.7 % |
| no | 11 | 42.3 % |
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