New York Rangers: Five Must-Know 2016-17 Statistics

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Brady Skjei: Rookie Wunderkind-

Few believed Brady Skjei would be able to handle the workload leftover when Keith Yandle departed in the off-season. Those few deserve to take a bow.

Brady Skjei has filled Yandle’s void and then some this season. Defensively, Skjei more than holds his own against some of the best players in the NHL. You can regularly see him breaking up passes in the neutral zone and turning the game into the other teams’ zone.

However, the most impressive statistics come offensively for Skjei.

Skjei currently ranks fourth in the NHL in even strength assists by a defenseman. That’s by all defensemen. Skjei has more even strength assists than: John Klingberg, Duncan Keith, Kevin Shattenkirk, Victor Hedman, John Carlson, and more. Skjei is tied for first among rookies in the category as well.

Need more evidence?

Oh, and if you think all Skjei can do is put up assists, the rookie defenseman ranks fifth among all NHL defensemen in even strength points. He’s having a phenomenal rookie season.

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