New York Rangers: Tough Decisions on Defense Ahead

The New York Rangers have their full complement of defensemen for the first time since the acquisition of Brendan Smith. With Dan Girardi and Kevin Klein returning to the lineup, the Rangers now have seven core defensemen for six spots. A key player will need to be scratched in the remaining games and in the playoffs. Managing this situation correctly will be critical if the Rangers want to make some noise.

Girardi was back in the lineup against the Kings on Saturday, reunited with long time partner Ryan McDonagh. That sound you heard was the collective groan from Ranger Nation as the anchor was reattached to McDonagh’s ankle. 

Vigneault cited the familiarity between the two as well as the struggling penalty kill for the pairing. In the seven games before Girardi’s return, the Rangers had given up goals when they’ve been shorthanded over 40 percent of the time. The Rangers will be playing golf before the end of April if that keeps up.

Girardi’s offensive deficiencies are well know, but he helps on the penalty kill. The Kings did not score in three chances with the man advantage on Saturday. It’s only one game and Antti Raanta was fantastic, but the Rangers had given up a power play goal in eight straight going into the game. Girardi played well against the Kings.

Related Story: Dan Girardi Deserves Bill Masterton Award Nomination

Klein is ready to go as well, but Vigneault decided not to play Klein against the Kings because he didn’t want to re-insert two defensemen coming off injuries on the same night. Vigneault was coy about when Klein would play, saying only that he would play on this road trip. 

I think we’ll see him Sunday against the Ducks. They can buy some time on the road trip by easing Girardi and Klein back into the lineup, but someone will have to be regularly scratched when they get home. McDonagh is safe, but is anyone else?

The NY Post speculated that even Brady Skjei and Brendan Smith could be in play to sit. I don’t think so. The Garden faithful would roast AV for sitting Skjei and Smith has been steady.

Vigneault treats Girardi as the player he once was, not the player he is now. Other than the occasional maintenance day, Girardi will be in the lineup and counted on for big minutes.

Girardi’s absence has spotlighted the fact that Mark Staal is not the shut down player he once was. But Staal has improved from last season and still seems to have Vigneault’s confidence.

Related Story: Rangers Look to Tie Elusive Road Win Record

Nick Holden is certainly in play and scratching Holden might not upset the apple cart as much as one of the more established veterans or the breakout rookie. But Holden brings some offense needed to counterbalance Girardi and Staal, so I think he’ll play.

If you’re holding out hope for Adam Clendening or Steven Kampfer, I think that ship has sailed. I can’t see Vigneault sitting two of the top seven in favor of one of these untested players. Perhaps Clendening could get a look in the right matchup, but I doubt it. 

That leaves Klein. Klein has been steady in his four years in blue, but has not had a great year. Though he still has one more season on his contract, the 32-year old veteran doesn’t seem to fit into the team’s plans. I expect Klein to be the odd man out.

Vigneault can be frustratingly noncommittal, coming off like a pleasant Bill Belichick. But why make the decision until it’s necessary? I would expect the Rangers to give guys some rest and try a few different things in their remaining games. They can’t play around too much though, the group needs to be set in their pairings and know their roles going into the playoffs.

Next: Rangers Should Avoid Crawling Into the Playoffs

With a healthy group of defensemen, a key player is going to have to sit. The blue line has been the team’s weakness and managing this group will be a big factor in how far the Rangers go in the playoffs. Kevin Klein seems like the likely choice to me, but it will be interesting to see how it plays out.