Grading the Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey Trade

The New York Rangers made the first of what's expected to be at least a few moves Saturday afternoon, trading Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey to the Colorado Avalanche for Calvin de Haan, Jusso Parssinen, and a conditional 2nd and 4th round pick in this year's draft. The condition on both picks is the Rangers receive the better of the picks Colorado has at each spot—one of which could be the Rangers getting their own second round pick back.

As always, let's break these things down. I will give fair warning though: If you're a Chris Drury hater, this probably isn't the column for you.

Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey

Two of the three players I highlighted in my "Easy Decisions" column for New York Rangers trade tiers are gone in one fell swoop.

We should start with Lindgren, because he's the centerpiece of the deal.

Obviously his time in New York was drawing to a close, and while it's emotionally unsettling, it's the right decision. All the things that make you love Ryan Lindgren and all the things that made him such a valuable player for this organization also happen to be all the reasons why this was always going to be how the story in New York had to end.

Lindgren is 26 going on 32. He plays a rough, physical game of hockey that includes a lot of hitting, grinding, and blocking shots. That has all added up over time to play to Lindgren's game falling off a cliff—a drop so steep even Adam Fox wasn't able to pull him out of it.

I say this, and don't mean it disrespectfully, but the Rangers traded Lindgren and somehow got the better defenseman in the deal, along with other assets. I would not be surprised if Lindgren had something of a bounce back in Colorado, where his minutes will be less demanding and his matchups can be sheltered. But the writing is on the wall for where that ends up. I think Lindgren will get the bag this summer and I think the team that gives it to him will ultimately regret it.

That said, Lindgren should be remembered fondly for his time in New York. He's a perfect example of fantastic defensive development for a team that doesn't have a great resume there, and Lindgren was a centerpiece for some very good New York Rangers teams.