Bruins Linked To Potential Reunion With Former Prospect

The Boston Bruins might be looking to bring back a familiar face as they explore defensive upgrades this offseason.

Boston is among several teams with reported interest in pending unrestricted free agent Ryan Lindgren, according to The Fourth Period.

The 27-year-old defenseman was originally drafted by the Bruins in 2016 but never suited up for the team, having been dealt to the New York Rangers in the 2018 trade that landed Rick Nash.

Lindgren’s development into a reliable top four blueliner could make him a strong addition to the Bruins’ defensive group. Known for his gritty, defense-first style, Lindgren logged 72 games last season between the Rangers and Avalanche, finishing with four goals, 22 points, 80 hits, and 128 blocked shots.

He’s also trusted on the penalty kill and has shown consistency when healthy, which makes him an intriguing short-term option to round out Boston’s backend.

“He’s a guy who plays a hard-nosed game and has shown he can log tough minutes,” Michael DeRosa of Yahoo! Sports wrote. “In addition, he works well on the penalty kill, which adds to his appeal.”

The Bruins currently have a crowded left side, with Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, and Mason Lohrei already under contract. If Lindgren were added, one of them would likely need to slide over to the right to make the fit work.

Still, with the Boston aiming to tighten things up after a shaky defensive year, a reunion with their former second-round pick may be more than just nostalgia.