Ryan Lindgren has signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the Seattle Kraken in a move to strengthen their defensive lineup ahead of the upcoming NHL season. The 27-year-old defenseman, known for his defensive focus, arrives as the Kraken look to reduce the number of goals allowed after their struggles last year.
From Goalie Aspirations to Defensive Specialist
Though Ryan Lindgren grew up in a family of goalies, including his older brother Charlie with the Washington Capitals, he realized early on that his future was not in net. Lindgren shared via Zoom that after an early playing experience in goal where he allowed numerous goals, he decided to stop playing as a goalie permanently.
“I think I let in probably 10 or 11 goals,”
Lindgren said.
“After the final goal, I kind of laid there on the ice and was crying. My dad had to come out, get me up. And ever since then, I never put on the pads again.”
Instead, Lindgren developed his skills as a defenseman and will not be expected to strengthen Seattle’s goaltending depth; that role belongs to veteran Matt Murray, who recently signed a one-year deal with the Kraken.
Key Defensive Role in Seattle’s Struggling Backline
Lindgren joins a Seattle team that struggled defensively in the 2024-25 season, allowing an average of 3.20 goals per game, ranking 24th in the NHL. Primarily recognized for his defensive capabilities rather than offensive contributions, Lindgren’s career totals stand at 14 goals and 88 assists over 405 NHL games, and he does not anticipate a significant increase in scoring with the Kraken.
He emphasized his commitment to defense, stating,
“I’m not going to change anything about my game. I just want to go out there and compete every night, do the best that I can and do what I can to keep the puck out of our own net. Obviously, that’s my biggest role, is being a defensive defenseman.”
Adjusting to New Partnerships and Team Dynamics
During his tenure with the New York Rangers, Lindgren frequently partnered with Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox. Now with Seattle, he looks forward to finding chemistry with new defensive partners during training camp. Lindgren acknowledged the challenge and excitement of adjusting to a new team environment following his recent trade to the Colorado Avalanche in March.
“Yeah, I think it’s really exciting to have that new opportunity,”
he said.
“I played with Foxy for the majority of my NHL career, and that was a lot of fun. But, now it’s time to move on and play with someone new.”
Recovering from Setbacks and Preparing for a Fresh Start
Lindgren faced a difficult 2024-25 season, which included a career-low neutral plus-minus rating, a departure from his previous five seasons where he maintained a plus-16 or better rating. Contributing to the challenge was a broken jaw sustained during the preseason, which he described as
“a long, hard process to kind of get back from.”
Now fully recovered, Lindgren is eager to bring his intensity and defensive prowess, such as his readiness to block shots, to the Kraken’s lineup. His adaptation will take place under head coach Lane Lambert, who brings NHL experience from coaching the New York Islanders, a familiar rival from Lindgren’s Rangers days.
“I’m really excited to play for him and talking to him yesterday, it was a really good conversation,”
Lindgren said.
“Just excited to get it going.”
Seattle Kraken’s Efforts to Strengthen the Roster
Lindgren’s signing is part of a broader effort by the Kraken to improve their team following last season’s challenges. Alongside solidifying defense, the Kraken’s recent moves include signing goalie Matt Murray, retaining key players like Philipp Grubauer, and welcoming fresh talent such as Jake O’Brien, their No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
These roster updates have sparked optimistic hope from fans and management as the Kraken aim to rebound.
With Lindgren’s proven defensive focus and physical style, Seattle hopes to reduce the goals against this season, improving their competitiveness in a demanding NHL landscape.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What was Ryan Lindgren’s injury?
A. Ryan Lindgren revealed that he got a jaw injury during a rough preseason fight. On Tuesday night, Lindgren came back to play for the New York Rangers against the Montreal Canadiens. Before this game, he had been absent for the first five games of the season due to an upper-body injury from the preseason fight with Scott Mayfield.