New York Rangers’ Dark-Horse Deadline Defensive Solution

It’s no secret that the New York Rangers are in the market for a defenseman. New York’s rumors point towards Kevin Shattenkirk, Jacob Trouba, and more expensive players. However, there is an option that will cost little and provide value. Let’s look into it.

The New York Rangers need a defenseman to play in the NHL. James Wisniewski is desperate to re-join the NHL. In most cases, when a player is desperate to join the NHL it’s because they are not an NHL caliber player. For James Wisniewski, that’s not the case.

Wisniewski was bought out by the Carolina Hurricanes this past off-season, largely due to injury woes. The former Islanders defenseman latched on with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but failed to make their roster. Wisniewski next went over to the KHL in hopes of showing teams what he had left to offer, but the move failed.

Rather than proving to NHL teams what he wished to, Wisniewski fell off the radar. NHL teams continued to scout their opponents and their minor league teams, leaving Wisniewski and other KHL players on the back-burner.

Thus, Wisniewski returned to America, signing a deal with the Chicago Wolves. Being a long time NHL player playing for an AHL team, if any organization sought to acquire Wisniewski, the price would be minimal at most. Teams respect veterans, and Wisniewski has every right to play in the NHL if a team is interested.

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The New York Rangers should consider being that team if bigger moves don’t pan out.

Wisniewski brings plenty to the table that the Rangers do not already have. Sure he is older at the age of 32, but New York regularly plays veterans Dan Girardi, Kevin Klein, and Marc Staal.

None of Girardi, Klein, or Staal provide strong possession games, nor do they move the puck and/or provide offensive contributions. Wisniewski has been strong in all of those areas for quite some time.

In the 2013-14 season, Wisniewski was a top pair defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who made the playoffs. Wisniewski put up 51 points, including 44 assists. Additionally, Wisniewski  posted a Corsi For % of 53.8. That’s a major improvement over anyone the Rangers have to offer.

Wisniewski notched 34 points the following season with a 50.5 Corsi For Percentage, continuing his trend of strong offensive seasons with strong possession play. Wisniewski posted a Corsi For Percentage below even only once in nine NHL seasons.

While it’s unclear what Wisniewski has left in the tank, it is clear that historically he has been a much better defenseman than at least three of the defensemen the Rangers are currently throwing onto the ice. As a right-handed defenseman, he can take playing time away from one of Dan Girardi or Kevin Klein.

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At the worst, Wisniewski costs a late round draft pick that is unlikely to pan out anyway. At the best, the Rangers found a low-cost solution for the short term. There’s no reason not to give James Wisniewski a chance.