Kevin Klein continues to be one of the bright spots for the New York Rangers this season. With the injuries they’ve had on the blue line he’s taken on more minutes, and a bigger role and he’s added more offense. All of these things would point to a possible career year but instead I say it’s his best year and he’s fitting into AV’s system like a glove.
“When you have five guys working together and support each other all over the ice It makes it a lot easter. Not just chipping the puck out. And then they come back and attack you…When you execute those little 10-foot passes it creates odd-man rushes and it also helps you work it into the offensive zone which is always nice,… said Klein.
He’s not at a career high in points yet but he is for goals. He now has 5 and his previous career high was 4. Two of those are game-winner’s. It’s significant because he is now stepping up each game and taking more shots and pinching a bit more. He’s more comfortable on the Rangers now so he’s doing this and he’s also using more of his sturdy 6-1 frame in the dirty areas as well.
When I asked him about his emerging wraparound shot that he did against Philadelphia twice, he quickly responded, “No, It isn’t my specialty but I had two tonight so I have to work on that I think (chuckle).…
So far this season he’s a +8 and he’s taken just 26 shots. Is it luck or is he picking his spots better? I recently told him at my book signing that I picked him up on my fantasy team. He laughed and said, “Don’t count on me for any more goals.… That was when he had 3.
Defensively his skating and puck pursuit are excellent. No matter the partner he seems to be able to clean up a mess or move the puck up the ice if need be. In the 21st century that’s what every defenseman has to do to get regular minutes. He’s on pace for 145 blocks and 148 hits. His giveaways are still an issue but he’s gotten better and keeping them in check.
This year his ATOI is 15:36. Last year it was 17:20. So basically he’s a defenseman who you don’t want to be out there for over 19 minutes (it has happened six times this year) but you NEED him to take at least 15. That’s good coaching and smart in-game management of this risk-reward player.
Many will say the Ranger have problems but I think they’d all agree that Klein isn’t one of them.
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