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

The Colorado Avalanche acquired forwards Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey and the rights to defensive prospect Hank Kempf from the New York Rangers on Saturday. The Rangers picked up forward Juuso Parssinen,