Lindgren is the third defenseman who has won the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award since it was first presented in 1987-88 (Adam Fox - 2019-20, Brian Leetch - 1996-97). Lindgren has skated in 61 games for the Rangers this season, recording a career-high in assists (17) and points (18) while tallying a team-high plus-29 rating. In addition, Lindgren has blocked 91 shots, the fifth most on the Blueshirts and averages 2:06 minutes of shorthanded time on ice per game, the second most on the club. On November 30 at Ottawa, Lindgren recorded a career-high three-assist/point game and at the time became the fifth different Rangers defensemen since 2015-16 to record a three-assist game (Fox, McDonagh, Pionk, Skjei). In the October 23 contest against Columbus, Lindgren skated in his 200th career game.
Across parts of five seasons in the NHL, the Burnsville, Minnesota native has tallied seven goals and 56 assists for 63 points and a plus-77 rating in 255 games. Since his first full season in 2019-20, Lindgren ranks second among New York defensemen in plus/minus (+83), third in hits (386) and blocked shots (352). In that time frame, his 559:35 minutes of shorthanded time on ice are the second most among defensemen behind Jacob Trouba.
Below are the last five winners of the award:
2022-23 - Ryan Lindgren
2021-22 - Chris Kreider
2020-21 - Adam Fox
2019-20 - Mika Zibanejad
2018-19 - Mika Zibanejad
