The St. Louis Blues desperately need to fix their blue line. With aging contracts, a lack of depth, and not many options to improve the unit, this upcoming trade deadline could be a saving grace.
Two specific defensemen could be available for the taking, and they are from the same team. It is highly doubtful that the Blues could take them both, but either one is a significant upgrade to what they have now.
That would be Ryan Lindgren and K’Andre Miller from the New York Rangers. The important thing to note with these two, is that they are both on expiring contracts and will have to be re-signed at the end of the year.
Ryan Lindgren
Of the two potential targets, Lindgren is a perfect fit for the Blues. He is tough, accountable, and has plenty of playoff experience to make a difference. Not to mention, he was a first-pair defenseman alongside Norris Trophy winner, Adam Fox.
This season was a tough one for Lindgren, but that can be said about the Rangers defensive unit as a whole. The going stigma with #55 is that he is so rough and tough, that injuries are not far behind him. He seemingly is always getting hurt, but it is always to try and win the game.
Lindgren would be a great partner for Parayko in the first pairing. They would complement each other’s play style, offering a steady flow of 200-foot hockey. What a duo those two would be bearing down on opposing offenses.
K’ Andre Miller
If the Blues are looking for another dynamic defenseman with an incredible ceiling, K' Andre Miller could very well be the guy for them.
The University of Wisconsin product has turned heads in recent years and showed a big leap forward by stepping into uncharted territory at the beginning of the season. When aforementioned Lindgren went out with injury in the preseason, Miller stepped up and took on the responsibilities of the first-line minutes and did flourish. But, as the season has gone on, that solid start has started to dissipate a bit.
Miller can move the puck very well and is a smart and cautious player. He has only taken 10 penalty minutes in 59 games played, and for his career-high, has only achieved 49 penalty minutes. That is a respectable number.
Of course, both of these options are certainly much more attainable than the swaying of a potential superstar, Seth Jones in Chicago. Both Lindgren and Miller could be acquired for a reasonable trade with the Blues, and their contracts hovering around $4 million each is a manageable number.