Where Lindgren fits on the depth chart, and how he performs in what will likely be a different role than in New York, could be a case study for future player evaluation. Lindgren has spent most of his 5-on-5 ice time next to Adam Fox on New York’s top pairing, over the past several seasons.

The Blueshirts agreed to a trade Saturday to send defenseman Ryan Lindgren, forward Jimmy Vesey and the rights to unsigned 2021 draft pick Hank Kempf to the Avalanche in exchange for center Juuso Parssinen and veteran defenseman Calvin de Haan.

The Rangers are four points out of a playoff spot and did not want to let pending unrestricted free agents walk for nothing.