New York Rangers defenceman Ryan Lindgren, age 26, who left Tuesday’s preseason game against the New York Islanders after a fight with 31-year-old Isles defenceman Scott Mayfield, “is out ‘at least a few weeks'”, according to Peter Baugh of The Athletic on X Wednesday afternoon. The New York Rangers PR had confirmed on X Tuesday night that Lindgren wouldn’t return to that game, suffering an upper-body injury.
Ryan Lindgren’s Upper-Body Injury
Lindgren took an uppercut from the large blueliner Mayfield, who stands 6’5 and weighs 213 pounds. Lindgren, for comparison, is six feet tall and weighs 193 pounds.
At the time of writing, six fans on HockeyFights.com, 100 percent of voters, voted that Mayfield won the fight.
Lindy is currently signed to a one-year, $4.5M-contract with the Blueshirts, set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next year, by age 27. Last season, he notched 17 points, 103 blocks, 114 hits, and 14 takeaways.
Scott Mayfield’s Hit On Filip Chytil
Mayfield’s knee-on-knee hit on 25-year-old Rangers centreman Filip Chytil at centre ice, 05:48 into the first period, provoked Ryan Lindgren to fight Mayfield. Chytil couldn’t get up right after the hit. He needed help off the ice and did not put weight on his left leg. But later that game, Chytil came back.
In a postgame interview, Chytil told reporters it was not comfortable in the moment but he hoped it would improve the following day.
The young centre was determined to play even if the game was only preseason, “That’s me all the time. If I can play, I will play.” he added.
Later, Chytil would score the first of five unanswered goals. It was a power play snap shot, assisted by Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. It sparked an amazing Rangers comeback. After that, with just 06:10 left in the third period, the Islanders were up 4-2, and then never scored again in that game. They eventually lost to the Blueshirts 6-4.
Filip Chytil Updates & Fan Reactions to the Hit
Fans reactions on X to the hit were mixed.
“That’s not Knee on Knee. I can’t stand either team, but I hate lying more.” one fan said.
And on the contrary…
“What a [expletive] snake Mayfield is, why do you tkae [sic] a run at a guy in preseason like that you scum as.” another said.
Earlier Wednesday, Mollie Walker of The New York Post reported that Chytil is on the ice with the rest of the main New York Rangers group.
“I’ve seen him flex his leg a few times since we walked in though,” she wrote.
Since Chytil only played 10 games last regular season due to possibly his fourth documented concussion, hopefully he will come out of this and stay healthy. Chytil had a 22-goal, 45-point season with the Blueshirts in 2022-23. He also notched a 12.4 shooting percentage that year as well, so we hope this is the case.
