Don’t Staal on Dropping Holden
As you saw in my earlier roster wishes, Nick Holden and Marc Staal are both healthy scratches. Let me make it clear that I do not want either Holden or Staal on the roster, but I cannot speak to transactions that haven’t happened yet.
What is most important is to address the team as if Holden and Staal will be on the roster. Perhaps the Rangers are looking to move the pair, maybe they wish to keep them on board as insurance for if the younger defensemen struggle. Regardless, how Alain Vigneault and Lindy Ruff handle the pair will go hand in hand with how successful the Rangers are this season.
Let me say this as clearly as I can. Marc Staal is awful. He is a bad defenseman who provides zero talent to the NHL roster. Great, glad we got that out of the way. Nick Holden is not good, but as a third pairing defenseman he can be fine. He won’t ruin the team.
If Alain Vigneault understands those truths, the Rangers will be fine. If Vigneault puts Staal on the first pair with Ryan McDonagh, and Holden in heavy minutes with Anthony DeAngelo, the Rangers are in big trouble.
Next: Roster Predictions: Who makes the team?
This season, the defense must be a major strength for the Rangers. However, it will only be as big of a strength as Alain Vigneault allows it to be.
We shall see.