Brady Skjei and the New York Rangers have avoided arbitration and inked the young defenseman to a long term deal. With Skjei locked up for the next six years, what does this mean for the defense?
The New York Rangers made one of their best moves this offseason by signing Brady Skjei to a long-term deal. The contract, for six years and with a $5.25 million AAV price tag, will probably feel a bit steep at first. However, with a player who has the potential Skjei has, it is best to sign him long term.
Currently, the stats of the Rangers’ defense is poor. Aside from Skjei and Shattenkirk, the defense is not set in stone. Marc Staal is currently in steep decline and his time with the Rangers is surely coming to an end sooner rather than later.
Additionally, players such as Neal Pionk, John Gilmour, and Tony DeAngelo have still not proved themselves consistently. However, there are many prospects lying in wait. Yet, they are still a while away from being productive at the NHL level. But what could happen in the future?
The Immediate Future
The immediate future is all about player development. Skjei’s contract means that the Rangers are committed to the rebuild which means a multitude of young players will find ther way into the NHL.
This is where Skjei’s role forms. As he was for a majority of this past season, Skjei will become a mentor for the young and upcoming defensemen. While he is still developing himself, Skjei grew into the mentor role as the season went on. Yes he struggled initially, but as his partners became more comfortable, he got better.
This season, and for the forseeable future, will probably revolve around the development of Gilmour, Pionk, and DeAngelo. All three have some form of NHL experience at this point, making Skjei’s job a bit easier. When these players begin to enter their prime, Skjei should be near the middle of his contract. Which leads us to…
A Future of Hope
And now, for the long term future. Hopefully, by the middle of Skjei’s contract, New York willonce again be in Stanley Cup contention. Now for the structure of the defense. At this point, I imagine Staal will no longer be on the team. Additionally, I believe that at least two of the aforementioned rookies will have NHL roster spots. This leaving two spots for upcoming young defensemen.
At this point in his career, Skjei will be around 27 years old. He will be entering the prime of his career and will presumably be in a prominent leadership roll. At that time, I fully expect him to be playing on the top pair. Whether or not it is with Kevin Shattenkirk remains to be seen.
Overall, the most important part of the Skjei signing is that it signals a trust in the youths. Signing the young defenseman to such a long term signifies that the Rangers are in it for the long haul. Hopefully, Skjei will be used as a leader, and viewed as a player to build around.