In a move that came as little surprise, Ryan Lindgren was one of 14 NHL players to file for arbitration. With Lindgren filing for arbitration, a second buyout period opened for the Rangers, even if they opt not to use it. Hearings, barring a settlement, will take place between July 20 and August 4.

Per @NHLPA⁩, 14 players elect salary arbitration. The club-elected deadline is tomorrow. Hearing are July 20-Aug 4 pic.twitter.com/0273XsrGWo

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 5, 2024

A team receives a 2nd buyout window if they have a player file for arbitration.

Once the case is awarded or settled, 3 days later they receive a 48 hour window to buy out players with a cap hit of $4M or more who were with the team last trade deadline.https://t.co/R458mBcT9g https://t.co/o8foLeFxkX

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 5, 2024

Lindgren just finished a three-year, $9 million deal. Known as Robo-cop, Lindgren seems to get cut or injured every game, yet finds a way nearly every time to come back from the locker room or be in the lineup the next game. It's that propensity for injury coupled with memories of how Dan Girardi, the progenitor to Lindgren a decade ago, wore down late in his contract that likely has given the Rangers pause in giving Lindgren a long-term deal.

Lindgren, an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season, is most probably looking for a deal that buys out his first few seasons of free agency. On the flip side, New York may want a shorter-term contract. If the two sides agree to just a one-year deal, two concerns for New York will be how much Lindgren will receive in arbitration, given the need to re-sign Braden Schneider and minimal cap space available, and him jumping ship after the 2024-25 season.

Adam Fox's main pairmate since Fox came in the league, Lindgren has always played bigger than his size. But that also has taken a toll on his body, and at times, his effectiveness. The Rangers qualified Lindgren at the required $3.6 million, which will be the starting point of any negotiation, I wonder if Lindgren asks for $4.5 to $4.8 million, providing the teams some wiggle room for negotiating.

In terms of the buyout, I think we all know who is a possible candidate, despite the unlikelihood of that occurring. Irrespective of the probability of that happening, which I think we all believe should not occur, it's now an option. That means the topic will keep coming up until Lindgren either signs or goes through arbitration, Three days after either date, the Rangers would have 48 hours to buyout a player if they wanted.

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