The Boston Bruins are reportedly exploring a reunion with Ryan Lindgren as they weigh blue-line options for the upcoming season.
Bruins looking at free agent Lindgren as a depth solution
Ryan Lindgren’s name is starting to circle again in Boston hockey circles—and not for the first time. The 27-year-old defenseman, once a Bruins second-round pick, is drawing interest from his former team as he prepares to hit the open market.
As reported by The Fourth Period, the Bruins are one of several NHL clubs showing early interest in the gritty blueliner.
While he never actually suited up for Boston after being drafted in 2016, he’s developed into a steady, physical defender since being moved to the Rangers in the 2018 trade for Rick Nash.
That deal was meant to strengthen the Bruins for a playoff push. But ironically, Lindgren may now be the one who helps them down the stretch—seven years later.
A no-frills game that checks the right boxes
Lindgren split last season between New York and Colorado, appearing in 72 games while contributing 4 goals, 22 points, and a steady stream of physical play, 80 hits and 128 blocked shots to be exact.
It’s not flashy, but it’s effective. And for a team like Boston, that’s exactly the kind of play that holds up in tight games.
He’s a guy who plays a hard-nosed game and has shown he can log tough minutes,
wrote Michael DeRosa of Yahoo! Sports.
In addition, he works well on the penalty kill, which adds to his appeal.
That defensive edge and PK value are what make him so attractive to the Bruins, who struggled with consistency in their own zone throughout parts of last year. They’re not just looking to fill a spot—they want someone who can help re-establish their identity.
A crowded blue line complicates the fit
Still, signing Lindgren wouldn’t come without roster implications. Boston already has a full slate of left-side defensemen under contract: Hampus Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, and Mason Lohrei.
Unless one of them shifts to the right side, or the team makes a move, it’s hard to see exactly where Lindgren slots in.
That said, these kinds of logjams have a way of sorting themselves out, especially when injuries hit or cap flexibility opens new doors. If the Bruins believe Lindgren adds the kind of balance they need on the back end, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them make room.
Beyond sentiment, a sensible move
On paper, a reunion with Lindgren might seem like a sentimental reach—a team revisiting a name from the past. But the interest appears rooted in something far more practical. Lindgren has evolved into the type of player that Boston often leans on: responsible, physical, and quietly effective.
With free agency approaching and the Bruins clearly looking for ways to stabilize their blue line, Lindgren represents a short-term fix that could bring long-term value.
This isn’t about correcting a trade from years ago, it’s about finding the right piece at the right time.
