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New York Rangers: Dan Girardi is No Longer the Bad Guy

By Jonathan Marrero

Oct 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi (5) controls the puck during the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi (5) controls the puck during the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Rangers are off to a very strong start to their season. Let’s take a look at who has played well and who’s the bad guy?

Right now as a fan of the New York Rangers, things are looking pretty good, to say the least. The team is firing on all cylinders to start the season which is scary news for the league. The power play and the penalty kill look like they are revitalized by the change in play and the change in personnel most importantly.

There have been many moments already that have made just about any fan of the team excited for what this season has to hold. The New York Rangers, in all honesty, look scary. Pound for pound they might possibly be the deepest team in the East and that is after looking like one of the weakest and thinnest teams a season ago.

Now, not to be a Negative Nancy but most people like to have scapegoats, so if anything goes wrong they are the first to blame. Most would call them bad or the bad guy. To quote Tony Montana, “you need people like them,” so who’s the bad guy on the New York Rangers?

The Answer?

Okay, so this was actually set up ironically. I hate to say I told you so (I actually love it) but Dan Girardi is actually the scapegoat of way too many fans of the Blueshirts. In the nine games that Girardi has played, he has looked much improved from last season.

Girardi has come back this season determined to play smarter defensively while also hitting the net with shots. Honestly, this was my biggest knock on Girardi and he is hitting the net much more than he used to.

For whatever reason, some people believed that Dylan McIlrath should play ahead of Girardi. The reasons they have for that is because McIlrath is younger and brings toughness. What is laughable is that these same people wanted to crush Tanner Glass. I digress.

Other than McDonagh, Girardi has been probably the most solid defenseman on the team to start the season.

The Rangers lost 2 of the 4 games he has missed so far. Also to compare him and the defenseman that everyone wanted to keep, Keith Yandle has only 1 point.

I get that these players are drastically different in style, but only a point more for a $6.4 million player who played three more games does not scream missed player.

The guy that used to be the bad guy is playing much better and looks like he should be paired next to the captain, here’s to hoping he keeps it up.

Other notes:

Obviously, I am very intrigued by this new look fast paced team. To be honest Brandon Pirri is the most underrated signing I have seen by any GM in any sport. He does the one thing that the New York Rangers power play has been missing, he shoots the puck. This is why the power play is so improved.

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Mats Zuccarello is becoming one of the better wingers in the league. Fans have seen him like that for a while now but he is slowly becoming a much smarter and more skilled player each game. Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey are impressing much more than I could have expected and are becoming better but also are making the players around them better.

Finally, the two worst defensemen on the team have been Marc Staal and Kevin Klein. Staal is dishing up turnovers like a waitress at a diner and Klein has not yet found his groove. Personally, I have defended Marc Staal about as much as I have Girardi and one player has not played well and that is Staal. He needs to fix his game because the turnovers WILL cost the team at some point.

Here’s to hoping this keeps up and here’s to hoping they improve. Comeback wins, high scoring blow outs all exciting and all get my heart going. Is it April yet? The Cubs just ended a 108-year drought, I’m just hoping the boys in blue can end their 22-year one, not asking for a lot here.

Dan Girardi is no longer the bad guy. Many people may want to put him as the worst player on the team, well his is far from that. Dan Girardi has improved, the New York Rangers have improved and currently have a +20 goal differential, not too shabby.

Next: The Rangers boast the hottest offense in the NHL

Dan Girardi this year (probably). Let’s go Rangers!

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