CANTLON'S CORNER: LINDGREN GETTING PRIMED FOR THE NHL
BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The New York Rangers may be attempting to battle their way through a five-game losing streak down in the Big Apple, meanwhile, though, back on the farm, the Hartford Wolf Pack remain undefeated, their only blemish a shootout loss (5-0-0-1). They're currently preparing for their first weekend of three-games-in-three-days with the Laval Rocket on Friday and a home-and-home set with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Among the young stallions being readied for a possible NHL recall, is defenseman Ryan Lindgren. Among the last cuts from training camp, Lindgren has a natural sting for a player but is not taking the pouting route. “It wasn’t what I wanted, but Gord (Associate Head Coach, Gord Murphy) has talked to me since I got here about my work in the defensive zone, and he’s got us all on the same page, so I will be ready when we get to the NHL,” Lindgren, with a the sound of affirmation in his voice, said. The arrival of Murphy, with over 700 games of NHL playing experience as one of the league’s top defenseman, and his 17 years as an NHL assistant coach, are being utilized every day by Lindgren. “I just love it. I try to get as much information from Gord as I possibly I can. A guy who's played over 700 NHL games and be able to make it, but also stay and stick around there, knows what it takes. I want to learn everything I can. I pick his brain every day. He’s been great to talk to, and very easy to talk to. He really listens to and helps you with what you ask." Last weekend the coaches instituted a defensive partner switch for Lindgren, moving him from Jeff LoVerde to Darren Raddysh. It's part of the master plan. “I played with Jeff early on here, and we hit it off pretty good. Now I’m with Raddysh, and Gord is trying to see what we can do together (as a unit). It’s good to mix things up,” remarked Lindgren. Murphy is already a Lindgren fan. “For some players, it comes naturally playing in your own end, and some it takes time. Ryan is a competitive athlete. He takes pride in his game and knows that's his strength. He is a very mature young man, and that's a benefit to his play,” Murphy said of the rugged, left-handed shooting rearguard. In fact, last week, Lindgren broke a 74-game scoreless streak with a gorgeous rush into the offensive zone during the Bridgeport game. “That felt so good after going all last year with none. Nice to get the monkey off my back,” Lindgren said with a laugh. He gave an extra fist pump after the tally. When asked if it was more like a gorilla, he replied, "It felt like that.” His last goal was game-winner in Hershey against the Bears and was the game’s first star on March 25, 2017, in a 4-2 win. It made Murphy smile as well. ‘We're working on having him make that rush. Make him a 200-foot player and the goal surprised a lot of people including himself. It was good to see him have that confidence with the puck. Everybody was happy for him and it showed he’s not a one-dimensional player,“ Murphy said while putting emphasis on the phrase one dimension. Murphy likes a lot in Lindgren and how despite his physicals style, and his self-admitted penchant for trash-talking, he doesn’t hurt his team. “He isn’t in the penalty box a lot for a player who loves contact. He is not taking selfish penalties or hurting his team. He has the ability to play physical or with intimidation if you will, and he makes sure the other guy is going to have a lot of ice bags on after the game.” The early season winning is important to Lindgren. “We want to build a winning culture here. Last year was my first pro season, and all the losing we did wasn’t fun. Now we have new coaches, and all the coaches and (management) have emphasized, is that this is a new beginning here.“ Lindgren is putting his imprint on this team, but he is clearly a player who might find his way to Broadway at some point his season in a way reminiscent of Ryan McDonagh, who was here some years back. NOTES: The Wolf Pack's first three-in-three begins Friday at 7:15 pm against Laval where it's possible that Lindgren will possibly skate against his older brother, Charlie, a goalie for the Rocket. The two have never played against one another as both took different paths to play and have four years apart in age. One organizational move - Foward Shawn McBride, who played one exhibition game and was nursing an injury playing up with the Pack's ECHL affiliate, the Maine Mariners, along with a full boat of other players, was recalled and reassigned to play to the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL). Ex-UCONN Husky captain, and defenseman, Miles Gendron, was recalled from Brampton (ECHL) to Belleville (AHL). Sam Gagner, the son of former New Haven Nighthawk, Dave Gagner, was recalled from Bakersfield by Edmonton. Ex-Pack, Drew Melanson, signs a try-out deal with EV Bayreuth (Germany DEL-2) Former Sound Tiger, Andrew MacDonald, signs a Euro deal with SC Bern (Switzerland-LNA). No news on the Ryan Gropp suspension front, Hartford, of course, has its arena issues, but they're not alone. As they celebrate the 15th year of minor pro hockey in the city, The Stockton Heat have problems of their own. Read about it HERE. Read the full article