The New York Rangers seem to be reorienting their approach as the off-season draws near, moving away from big-ticket acquisitions and toward seeing value in players who are underappreciated or going through a brief slump but may still have room to grow.
New York Rangers Could Eye Value Picks This Off-Season
One such player who has the Rangers interested is 29-year-old former first-round choice Elias Lindholm of the 2013 draft. Although Lindholm has had setbacks in recent seasons, his skills are well-established.
He played in 75 games last season, splitting time between Vancouver and Calgary, tallying 15 goals and 29 assists. His best season, though, came in the 2021–22 campaign with Calgary, where he finished with 42 goals and 40 assists in 82 games, demonstrating his potential when healthy.
Assessing Lindholm’s Fit with the Rangers
This off-season, Lindholm will become a free agent, giving the Rangers a potentially advantageous opportunity. Given his age, it’s more likely that mental or conceptual problems than a deterioration in physical prowess are the cause of his recent underperformance. It might be a smart decision to provide him a one-year contract so that Lindholm can prove he can bounce back and possibly earn a bigger deal down the road.
Lindholm would gain from this strategy, but the Rangers would also gain from having a driven player who is eager to prove himself. Lindholm might be a huge asset to the squad if he can find his game again, especially if the team is in contention for t
Weighing Risks and Rewards
The Rangers’ long-term responsibilities are reduced by the short-term nature of a prospective contract with Lindholm, notwithstanding the dangers associated with signing a player who has been declining. If the collaboration does not produce the desired outcomes, they can quickly move on thanks to this arrangement. On the other hand, the Rangers may have a high-value player contributing considerably at a relatively cheap cost if Lindholm is able to regain his former form and perform at his best. This might transform a calculated risk into a large profit.