New York Rangers: A Blueprint for a Revamped Blueline

Jan 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) carries he puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. New York defeated Toronto 5-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) carries he puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. New York defeated Toronto 5-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) carries he puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. New York defeated Toronto 5-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) carries he puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. New York defeated Toronto 5-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

We all know the New York Rangers biggest crutch; their defense. It’s the only thing keeping them from being uber dangerous. Here is a blueprint for how they should go about re-making their blueline.

While the Rangers defense has been better of late, it is still a bottom-tier NHL defense. While the team has only given up 4 goals in their last 3 games, there are the occasional goals like the one below that make you shake your head in disbelief.

With all of that being said, the Rangers are not too far off from being the most dangerous team in the Eastern Conference. It all depends on what they do with their defense. Their forward group is set for years to come, with only one player–Rick Nash–above age 30.

Since they won’t have to worry about that, their defense is their number one priority.

In the following slides, we will take a step by step approach to figure out how the Rangers can solve their defensive woes.