The Rangers return to action after their All-Star break tomorrow night against the Blue Jackets. This begins the overall stretch run, with 33 games remaining to the regular season. I covered my view of the forwards the other night, now onto the blue liners.
It's been an up-and-down season for the back line. Most of what has occurred, we expected. There have been a few surprises but on the whole, it's been fairly in line with the thoughts coming into the regular season. I think we all believe for New York to be a true or possible Cup contender this is the biggest area in need of an uplift. The forwards could, as I spelled out Friday, use a minor tweak here and there. But the defensemen really need that true top-four, especially top-pairing RH d-man.
Ryan McDonagh has had a bounce back campaign, despite at times, getting dragged down by his pair mate. Offensively and skating wise, McDonagh is having a rebound season after struggling a year ago. While the All-Star Game isn't the best indication of anything and there were only three blueliners to choose from, McDonagh getting chosen to play with Crosby and Ovechkin is a decent indication of his skill level. Plus, other than Braden Holtby's glove save on Brad Marchand, McDonagh might have had the save of the game:
One of the greatest saves by a skater you'll see in your entire life by @RMcDonagh27! pic.twitter.com/lrEAzqqpas
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) January 30, 2017
Dan Girardi, McDonagh's usual pair mate, has had a mild rebound season. Of course, you could argue that it wasn't that hard to be better than his nightmarish 2015 campaign. Maybe the extra time helped Girardi heal physically. Though some will just say he is bad but less bad than a year ago. The speed is even more diminished and AV should be resting him a lot more frequently, but Girardi for the most part has earned a spot in the top-six. That spot however should be on a protected third line pairing rather than first pair duty. But, Girardi actually played fairly well the week before the All-Star break and maybe the five days off will prove beneficial. If New York does acquire a top-two, RH d-man, G will slide down and he is still at major risk of a buyout or getting asked to waive his NMC so he can be exposed in the expansion draft this offseason.
The second pairing has mostly been Marc Staal and Nick Holden. Possession metrics for the two when combined has left a lot to be desired but to me, their play has been better than the numbers show. Staal really benefited from the extra time off. He has been physical when needed and used his stick effectively. After playing like a major liability last season and looking all but a certainty to get bought out if G wasn't, Staal has settled back into a second pair role. He never will be an offensive weapon, as first thought when drafted, but Staal should remain a decent second pair defenseman. Holden, stolen last draft day for a fourth rounder, has been a godsend. Without him, I am afraid to think what the Rangers D would look like. Holden has chipped in timely goals and been pretty solid in his own end. He has shown the ability to generate the attack from the blue line, knowing when to pinch and fall back, Holden's pattern, per some Colorado writers, has been to regress after a good start, so it remains to be seen whether this play is fools gold or his true level.
The third line has been a mish-mash. If G has rebounded mildly and Staal more broadly, the third member of the collapse group from 2015 has remained in the status quo. Kevin Klein had a brutal and ugly season last year and has done little to show that was an aberration. When Staal comes back to action Tuesday, Klein should be the one scratched. Klein's play has dropped out a cliff after a solid run following his acquisition during the 2013-14 season. He has been tried with Staal and several other defensemen, none of which had made a difference. With one year left on his deal, Klein will be exposed in the expansion draft.
Adam Clendening has bounced from team to team to team. But he has become this year's Dylan McIlrath; a player most Rangers fans and several bloggers feel should play more but is scratched by AV. Defensive miscues still occur too frequently, a fact some bloggers like to highlight to prove the point Clendening shouldn't be on the ice. But his offensive ability and especially his zone exits leading to offensive chances are two aspects sorely needed on this team. Clendening has bounced up and down the defensive duos, seeing time with several partners. Lately, he has been paired with Brady Skjei. The rookie d-man has shown why we are all so high on him add has been the true positive this season. Bobbles still occur but he is one of the best skating members of the back line and likely the purest offensive talent back there. Skjei and Clendening have controlled possession while paired recently while Staal has been sidelined. If AV is smart, he keeps this duo together, but don't be shocked to see Holden play again with Staal while Klein is shifted off that pair to play with Skjei, benching Clendening.
GM Jeff Gorton needs to be aggressive. If Kevin Shattenkirk can be had without ripping up the fabric of the forwards, go for it. Take a run at Michael Stone or maybe Connor Murphy. If Steve Yzerman is really thinking about breaking up the Lightning core to create cap room to re-sign several RFA, see if Anton Stralman is available, though that may be doubtful as he and Victor Hedman are still a dynamic pairing. The seven blue liners currently on the team and not likely to be the seven we see in February 28. Maybe that means Ryan Graves gets a chance but I would expect some kind of deal by that date.