New York Rangers: The team’s Christmas List

The Rangers captain is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He hasn’t had a dependable defensive partner in years.

Ryan McDonagh is one of the best defensemen in the entire NHL. He plays a well rounded two-way game that has never come totally into focus. His offensive ability comes in flashes, the best of it came during the 2013-2014 postseason when he had 17 points in 25 games. That entire season McDonagh was attached at the hip to Dan Girardi.

Following Girardi’s slow erosion from reliable partner to defensive liability, McDonagh was forced to cover for his partner. The Minnesota native has been paired with Nick Holden this season and it’s been more of the same. Holden continually makes befuddling decisions with the puck on his stick and it’s hurting McDonagh’s game. McDonagh cannot flex his offensive skills and pinch up because Holden is such a liability to cause an odd-man rush.

A defensive partner for McDonagh is currently partnered with Brady Skjei. Give the man what he wants, play Kevin Shattenkirk with the Rangers captain. Shattenkirk is the type of offensively gifted partner that can drive possession and create chances for everyone on the ice. Shattenkirk has played with McDonagh during the Olympics and it’d do the Rangers well to bring it to Madison Square Garden.