Brother of player traded by Rangers sends bold warning to Peter Laviolette after loss to Capitals

The New York Rangers were on the losing side of a very tight matchup against the NHL’s best team in the East, the Washington Capitals. After the close triumph at Madison Square Garden, brother of a veteran traded by Peter Laviolette’s Rangers dropped a strong message, with a dig at the organization in The Big Apple.

Every game is huge for the Rangers as they chase closely the wildcard teams in the Eastern Conference. However, divisional games carry even bigger sweepstakes as rivalries renew.

When the Rangers and Capitals met for the last time in the 2024-25 NHL regular season, there was much more on the line than two points for Washington’s Charlie Lindgren.

The Capitals’ backup netminder, brother of former New York veteran Ryan Lindgren, couldn’t hide his emotion after defeating the organization that shipped his brother off the Metropolitan Division and to the Colorado Avalanche. After the game, Lindgren delivered a bold warning to Peter Laviolette and the front office in New York.

Charlie Lindgren #79 of the Washington Capitals prepares to play against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2025 in New York City.

“It felt good to get a win for my brother and, obviously, for the team here,” Lindgren stated, via The Washington Post reporter Bailey Johnson. “My brother laid it on the line every single night for this team. He loved being a Ranger, loved the group over there. I know for a fact they’re definitely going to miss him.”

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NHL News: Laviolette, Rangers trade Stanley Cup champion to Golden Knights for young star

The city that never sleeps

The Rangers have been ever active on the market throughout this season. Trading away key players, even captains. No name has been put over the crest in NYC, for better or worse. Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko, Jimmy Vesey, Ryan Lindgren, and it’s time to add a new player to the list.

Head coach Peter Laviolette of the New York Rangers leaves the podium after speaking with the media prior to the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden on November 30, 2024 in New York City.

Reilly Smith has been traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, in exchange for Brendan Brisson and a 2025 3rd round pick (owned by the San Jose Sharks). Smith returns to Sin City, where he hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2023, after arriving in New York ahead of this season.