The New York Rangers have drafted five defensemen in the first round since 2005. Of those defensemen, Brady Skjei is quickly proving to be the most successful.
Since 2005, the Rangers have drafted five defensemen in the first round: Marc Staal, Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Del Zotto, Dylan McIlrath, and Brady Skjei. Marc Staal and Brady Skjei are the only two left on the current Rangers roster. Skjei has steadily risen up the depth chart and plays the second most minutes per game on the team.
In that same time frame, the Rangers have had three head coaches: Tom Renney, John Tortorella, and Alain Vigneault.
Whether they were victims of coaching systems, injuries, or a combination of factors, most of the Rangers’ first round draft pick defensemen did not live up to their potential. In just one and a half seasons in its clear Skjei is headed for better things than the others ever could.
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Marc Staal
Taken 12th overall in the 2005 draft, it is clear that Marc Staal is a victim of thousands of NHL minutes in a physically demanding system.
In his career, Staal has 921 blocked shots and over 1100 hits. Those totals do not include playoff games, of which he has played over 100.
In addition to that, Staal suffered multiple concussions and a broken orbital bone from a puck hitting him in the face. In the 2012-2013 season, injuries led to him only playing in 21 games in a lockout-shortened season.
Staal is more of a defensive defenseman, and any semblance of offensive ability has long deteriorated. He was a core member of the Rangers defense, but now it seems like his time with the team is drawing close to an end.
For the most part, Staal was a successful first round pick. But his best days as a minutes-eating defenseman are long over.
Bobby Sanguinetti and Dylan McIlrath
Sanguinetti and McIlrath are two first round picks that never found their place on the Rangers’ roster.
Sanguinetti only has 45 NHL games under his belt, with only five for the Rangers. He scored only six NHL points after leaving the Rangers and has a career plus/minus of -6.
Dylan McIlrath is a victim of poor timing. He was drafted 10th overall at a time when large, physical players were in high demand. But the game quickly became about speed and generating offense from transitions. McIlrath could not keep up. After four seasons with the Rangers organization mostly in the AHL, McIlrath was traded.
These two players prove that first round picks do not always work out. They are also evidence of the Rangers poor drafting and talent evaluation.
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Michael Del Zotto
Statistically, Del Zotto is the most comparable player to Skjei, but again he didn’t last in New York.
In his rookie year, Del Zotto had 37 points and came in eighth place in the Calder trophy voting. However, he was a -20 for the season.
In the 2011-2012 season, which included a run to the Eastern Conference Finals, Del Zotto had a career-high 41 points. He also came in 12th in the Norris trophy votes.
Despite the offensive success, he could not escape the wrath of Coach Tortorella. Benching was the punishment for any defensive mistake and Del Zotto’s growth was stunted. Del Zotto’s blocked shot and hits totals were the lowest amongst a physical defense.
Similar to the other first-round picks mentioned, Del Zotto was a victim of timing and did not meet expectations set when he was drafted.
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Why Brady Skjei is Different
What separates Skjei from the rest of these defensemen is his well-rounded abilities and the way he fits into the team’s system.
Skjei stood out immediately in his rookie season. In the regular season, he totaled 39 points and had a +11 rating. He continued to succeed in the playoffs and showed flashes of an elite defenseman.
This season, Skjei remains consistent on both ends of the ice. He filled captain Ryan McDonagh’s shoes in the top pairing when he was injured. Now he remains in the top two pairings and plays the second most minutes per game on the team.
Skjei does not have the same NHL experience as a veteran like Marc Staal. But in the short time he has spent with the team, he is proving he is a core part of the Rangers’ defense.
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Head coach Alain Vigneault emphasizes a quick, puck-moving system and Skjei fits right in. His ability to move the puck and generate offense, while also playing a strong defensive game that makes him a dependable player.
It may have been a stroke of luck for the Rangers, but drafting Brady Skjei is one of their best picks in recent memory.