Adam Fox excited for his ‘enjoyable’ Ryan Lindgren reunion in Seattle

SEATTLE — Saturday night time will mark simply the third time Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren sq. off in opposition to each other as opponents. 

The longtime mates, who met once they had been youngsters within the U.S. National Team Development Program, haven’t lined up on reverse sides of the ice since they had been in faculty throughout the 2017-18 season. 

Lindgren and the University of Minnesota defeated Fox and Harvard in a back-to-back slate in November. The Gophers first took a 4-2 victory earlier than rising with a 2-1 win in time beyond regulation the next sport. 

After reuniting and taking part in elements of six seasons collectively in New York, this would be the first time the 2 duke it out as NHLers because the Rangers traded Lindgren to Colorado in March. 

“It’ll be funny,” Fox informed The Post on Friday after follow at Climate Pledge Arena. “I clearly performed with him at NTDP after which performed him as soon as in faculty, and that was enjoyable. It’s extra a little bit little bit of bragging rights and stuff. It’s been some time since I performed in opposition to him. But, , he’s nice. We’ll see him [Friday night], hang around with him. I imply, there shall be — realizing Lin — no friendships on the ice [Saturday night]. It’ll be enjoyable. 

“I think we’re all happy for him, we miss him. But, obviously, we’re more focused on the game, but it’ll be fun to play against him.” 

Lindgren hosted just a few of his former teammates at his place in Seattle on Friday night time. 

The Rangers additionally will face Kaapo Kakko for the primary time because the membership’s second-overall decide in 2019 was traded to Seattle in December.

Kakko is anticipated to make his season debut in opposition to his former staff of six years. The 24-year-old Finn suffered a damaged hand throughout the preseason. 

This season is primed to really feel like a tour in opposition to former Blueshirts, and that is solely the beginning. 

For Fox, nonetheless, this one definitely will really feel completely different in opposition to his longtime defensive associate. 

“It was awesome,” Fox mentioned of his friendship with Lindgren. “Obviously, it’s fairly uncommon in hockey with what number of completely different instructions and locations you can go along with it that our paths crossed on two completely different events. It’s superb. He was a groomsman at my wedding ceremony and clearly tremendous near my household, his household, and lived with him for just a few years too. It’s particular when you may have friendships like that. 

“Especially the way hockey goes, the business of it, guys are in and out of different teams. To be with someone as long as we were was pretty cool for me.” 

Fox and Lindgren have naturally stored in contact because the latter was traded — together with Jimmy Vesey and prospect Hank Kempf — to the Avalanche in change for Juuso Parssinen, Calvin De Haan and two conditional draft picks in 2025. 

Not solely did the 2 stay collectively for 2-3 years of their time in New York, however their residences had been additionally proper subsequent to one another throughout their rookie season in 2019-20. That’s really what led the 2 ultimately to stay collectively. 

They additionally continued to go on their annual golf journey collectively in the summertime. 

Fox mentioned he believes it can really feel like nothing’s modified when the previous teammates reunite. 

As for his new ‘D’ associate, Vladislav Gavrikov, Fox sounded inspired by their first 12 video games collectively. 

“I think we’re defending really well,” Fox mentioned. “I think sometimes, especially when you’re at home and you’re kind of on that matchup against other teams’ top lines, defending is the priority. You want to be able — the way offense has been going for us — create a little bit more. But we don’t want to cheat the defensive side. We’ve been getting chances, too. I think any time you’re with a new partner for the first time, I think you’re just trying to develop that chemistry, and it’s a lot of communicating. I think it’s just gotten better as we’ve gotten along.”