Veteran defenseman reveals honest truth about Colorado, embraces fresh start next season
Photo credit: Bruce Kluckhohn / NHL
Former Colorado Avalanche veteran defenseman hit the open market last week as a free agent and signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Kraken.
Lindgren was acquired by the Avalanche at last season's trade deadline.
Lindgren embraces fresh new chapter in Seattle.
Jessi Pierce from NHL.com writes that the 27-year-old defenseman, who inked a four-year, $18 million deal with the Seattle Kraken on July 1, is reuniting with forward Kaapo Kakko, his teammate for six seasons with the New York Rangers.
The Rangers traded Kakko to the Kraken on December 18, 2024, and later dealt Lindgren to the Avalanche on March 1.
«Kaapo's a really, really good friend of mine. I know 'Benny' (forward Ben Meyers) too, so it'll be fun. But just the whole team in general, a lot of young, up-and-coming guys. They always play a tough game when you play against them. And I'm just really excited to join them.» -Lindgren
Lindgren recorded 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) across 72 games last season both with New York and Colorado, including three points (two goals, one assist) in 18 games following his trade to the Avalanche. He also contributed three assists in seven Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Lindgren is anticipated to be a key player on Seattle's top-penalty unit, as the Kraken ranked 21st in the NHL last season with a penalty kill success rate of 77.2 percent.
«I'm hoping to bring the same thing I brought to New York and Colorado. I have that defensive defenseman type of style. Big on the PK and obviously pushing into helping offensively when I can. But really, I just want to be a good teammate, a guy that works hard every night and does what it takes to help his team win." -Lindgren
Seattle also made other offseason moves, including trading for forward Frederick Gaudreau from the Minnesota Wild on June 26 and signing two-time Stanley Cup champion goalie Matt Murray to a one-year, $1 million deal on July 1. Lindgren believes these strategic additions could help the Kraken return to Stanley Cup contention.
«You look back, it was two years ago they lost in the second round in Game 7 [against the Dallas Stars], so you know they have the guys to do it. You look at their back end, they've got a lot of high-end talent back there, and up front they've got the same thing." -Lindgren
Lindgren expressed confidence that he can play a key role in helping the Kraken reach the next level; an opportunity he didn't really get from his time in Colorado.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 11 | 31 ANSWERS Veteran defenseman reveals honest truth about Colorado, embraces fresh start next season Do you think the Avalanche made a mistake by not signing defenseman Ryan Lindgren in free agency? | ||
| yes | 11 | 35.5 % |
| no | 20 | 64.5 % |
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