The final arbitration contract in the NHL was figured out on Tuesday as Ryan Lindgren and the New York Rangers agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract extension. The 26-year-old dfensemen is entering his seventh NHL seasn with New York and had three goals, 17 points, 36 PIMs and a +22 plus/minus in 76 games played in 2023-24.
Robertson has yet to make his NHL debut but has spent three successful seasons on Hartford's (AHL) blueline and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with New York on Monday.The 23-year-old was New York's 2019 2nd round pick (49th overall) and had four goals and 21 points in 68 games played in 2023-24 with Hartford.
Schneider has become a reliable second/third-pairing defenseman for the Rangers of the last two seasons, appearing in all but one game while posting 10 goals and 27 assists (37 points) and a plus-8 rating. Following the completion of his entry-level contract, his $2.2M AAV cap-hit represents a $1.275M AAV raise for Schneider.
Ruhwedel was acquired by the Rangers from Pittsburgh at last year's trade deadline but only appeared in five games and still earned himself a one-year contract extension. The 34-year-old is entering his 13th NHL season and had a goal and four points in 52 games between Pittsburgh and New York in 2023-24.
Groulx was a second-round pick of the Ducks in 2018 and appeared in 68 games with them over the last three seasons. Last year, he was a fringe NHLer, playing in 45 of the 82 games and picked up just two assists. Given the depth in New York, expect Groulx to start 2025 in Hartford (AHL).
Fitzgerald was a third-round pick of the Sabres in 2016 and was claimed off waivers by the Panthers in 2023 and played just four NHL games with the club. He spent all of last year in the AHL, collecting 21 points (4G / 17A) in 69 games. He'll almost certainly start 2025 in the AHL.
Brannstrom is the type of cheap, sneaky good addition the Avalanche need to make given their salary cap situation. Brannstrom was the No.15 overall pick in 2017 and a huge part of the return for Mark Stone but was not qualified by the Senators this past weekend. Branstrom is coming off a career-best 20 points (3G / 17A) in 76 games and should find a home on Colorado's third-pair.
Vaakanainen will return to Anaheim for a fourth season after the 25-year-old signed a one-year contract extension to remain a Duck on Monday. The stay-at-home defenseman scored his first career NHL goal in 2023-24 after five previous seasons and ended with a career-high 14 points in 68 games played.
Smith will find himself on a third different team for the third straight year after he was acquired from the Penguins for a 2027 2nd Round Pick and a conditional 2025 5th Round Pick. The 33-year-old is entering his 14th NHL season and had 13 goals, 40 points, and 18 PIMs in 76 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24.
Carrick is a fourth-line penalty killing centre who will help replace Barclay Goodrow in New York. He won't provide a lot of offence but scored double-digit goals for the second time in his career this past season.
Carrick replaced Derek Ryan in the lineup in Game 5, but it looks like Ryan could be back in for him in Game 6. Carrick remained on the ice with the scratches during Sunday's morning skate, an indication that he's coming out of the lineup, although no changes were confirmed by head coach Kris Knoblauch.
Carrick was a healthy scratch for Game 4 after failing to pick up a point in any of Edmonton's previous six games but will draw back into the lineup on Friday as he replaces Derek Ryan for Game 5. The 32-year-old is expected to centre the Oilers' fourth line and has no goals, one assist, four SOG and a -1 plus/minus in eight playoff games so far.
Shesterkin was peppered in New York's Game 4 loss to Florida, allowing three goals on 40 shots against (.925 SV%) as the Panthers evened out the Eastern Conference final and is expected to take the crease again for Game 5 on Thursday. The 28-year-old has been in his Vezina Trophy-winning form all offseason, with his 10-4-0 record, 2.37 GAA and .925 SV%. He will host the Florida Panthers for Game 5 on Thursday, who are looking for back-to-back wins and a confident 3-2 series lead.
Shesterkin was peppered in New York's Game 4 loss to Florida, allowing three goals on 40 shots against (.925 SV%) as the Panthers evened out the Eastern Conference final and is expected to take the crease again for Game 5 on Thursday. The 28-year-old has been in his Vezina Trophy-winning form all offseason, with his 10-4-0 record, 2.37 GAA and .925 SV%. He will host the Florida Panthers for Game 5 on Thursday, who are looking for back-to-back wins and a confident 3-2 series lead.
