Earlier today, 14 players filed for salary arbitration. Ryan Lindgren was among them.

It isn’t surprising. He is a year away from becoming an unrestricted free agent. At 26, he just completed his fifth season.

Since being acquired by the Rangers from the Bruins in the Rick Nash deal, he’s become a staple on the blue line. Lindgren and former USA teammate Adam Fox have been inseparable. They are the Rangers’ top pair. While Fox is the standout who carries the offense, Lindgren provides 6 and physicality.

Cut out of the Dan Girardi mold, double five is a lot like the former number 5. Nicknamed by teammates the Warrior, Lindgren will do whatever it takes to help the team win. He usually is bruised and battered during games due to that style. A well-respected player in the locker room, he wants to remain a Ranger.

The question for the organization is how much they want to commit to a hard-nosed player who showed some signs of slowing down. Lindgren is a blood and guts player. With no replacement, he should return. 

Given the process of arbitration, the Rangers will low-ball him. Figure them to come in around $3.8 million. Lindgren could ask for as much as $5.2 million. The hope is that they can meet in the middle prior to the scheduled hearing.

It could come down to the contract length. Lindgren will probably want at least five years. The Rangers could counter with three. Four seems logical.

Now, it’s wait and see.