With Marc Staal Possibly Out The Door Is Skjei The Next Man Up?
Apr 12, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Minnesota Gophers defenseman Brady Skjei (2) checks Union Dutchmen forward Daniel Ciampini (17) during the second period in the championship game of the Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Marc Staal was once very similar to Brady Skjei, they were both they were both high draft picks and both were top defensive prospects. The New York Rangers like to select defensemen who look like Skjei and Staal as the two are able to put the puck in the net when needed and they can both also be “shutdown” defensemen when needed. Staal’s possible departure has sparked a conversation as to who would be his replacement. My choice would be the kid from the University of Minnesota, Brady Skjei.
Marc Staal has been with the Rangers since he was drafted in 2005 and has been a main-stay on the blue line. Now, with the possibility of Staal leaving the Rangers, the question remains, who is his replacement? The Rangers have many prospects in which they can trade in exchange for another defenseman or call up to replace Staal. Notable names include Brady Skjei, Dylan McIlrath, Conor Allen and Pavel Buchnevich (who’s a forward, so if anything would be used as a trade bait). McIlrath and Allen have been called up already and are 5 years older than Skjei and Buchnevich. All of these players are young and chomping at the bit to get their shot in the NHL.
The name who stands out the most has to be Skjei. He is an American prospect who attends the University of Minnesota. He is still very young but hopeful to get a shot. Skjei is a two way defenseman but he is more comfortable and he produces more on the defensive side. He is a prototypical replacement for Staal as he is 6’3 and a good, fast skater. This reminds us all of a younger version of Mark Staal as they are both tall and they both have some offensive ability. Skjei’s 2013-2014 stats at the University of Minnesota include 6 goals and 8 assists which helped his team compete in the Frozen Four Championship game. Staal’s age 18 season was similar with 6 goals but Staal was able to rack up 20 assists. Another quality that they both share is their left handed shot. Staal is 27 years old but this is a cause for concern as recent injury problems along with the want for a large contract might cause the Rangers to let him go. Though Skjei will have an uphill battle for fight as fellow prospects Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath are ahead of him, Skjei will still get an equal shot if he decides to leave college.
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Brady Skjei will have time to prove himself as he is still only a junior in college. The Rangers have called up young defensemen before such as Michael Del Zotto and Conor Allen. Conor Allen looks like the sure replacement for Staal but Skjei is just as promising. Skjei will have a lot to prove come training camp next year but this year may in fact be his most important year to show the Rangers how ready he is for the NHL. Skjei will want to be up as soon as possible because he knows there are others in front of him on the defenseman line. Brady Skjei is only 19 years old but don’t forget the name as he will be a force to be reckoned with on the Rangers blue line for years to come.