The Rangers quickly answered the question as to whether they would punt and look to rebuild for the future or attempt to improve the team after missinh out on Kevin Shattenkirk. New York turned to Detroit, acquiring Brendan Smith for a third round pick this year and second round pick in 2018. Smith had been on the radar as a possible piece to acquire with Shattenkirk but with that option lost, New York turned their attention to Smith.
The cost of a 2 and 3 is a bit high, seeing some of the other deals made and especially compared to what Shattenkirk ran. But the trades of Michael Stone, Ron Hainsey and Shattenkirk thinned out who was available defensively. In addition, part of New York's thinking might have been impacted by the view of signing Smith for the future, which per Darren Dreger could be an option.
Prasanth Iyer, whose view on the Red Wings, is usually spot on said: "But for real Brendan Smith is a nice pickup by the Rangers. Good skater, puck mover, solid shot numbers, not much point production." Smith is a lefty shot but has played the right side most of the year, so he is comfortable on that off-side. As such, with Dan Girardi out the next 10-14 days with an ankle injury, look for Smith, who played three years at Wisconsin with Ryan McDonagh and two with Derek Stepan, to play on the right side of the first pairing with McDonagh.
Smith has maintained consistent and average possession metrics for Detroit this season and in his career (see chart below). He likely is a second pair d-man and is better than probably all but McDonagh and possibly Brady Skjei on the team. Acquiring him bolsters the depth, which was made shallower with Girardi sidelined. In addition, it allows the team to deal Kevin Klein or Nick Holden, if so desired.
Brendan Smith is an excellent 3rd pair defender (maybe 2nd) who doesn't score himself and has great power-play numbers. pic.twitter.com/hdVXgQzjaD
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) February 28, 2017
I would have preferred going all in to get Shattenkirk. But it's pretty clear St. Louis was attempting to gouge the Rangers and wouldn't budge on the cost. If the rumored ask of Pavel Buchnevich, a 1 and another asset, I too would have walked away, especially seeing what Washington paid. Giving up the 2 and the 3 doesn't mortgage the future or limit the team's options either to acquire more assets now or in the future. This is especially true with Gord Clark drafting history beyond the first round.
Now that Smith is there, what else? If going down this path, then acquire either a fourth liner with grit or a forward that can move up and down the lineup. I wanted Brian Boyle, but with him gone, maybe go after Patrick Sharp or someone like that.
A bit more than 24 hours to go. Settle on. More to come.