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New York Rangers: Is Neal Pionk Sustainable?

By Danny Jones

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 10: Neal Pionk #44 of the New York Rangers controls the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 10, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 10: Neal Pionk #44 of the New York Rangers controls the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 10, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 18: Neal Pionk #44 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck against Brian Gibbons #23 of the Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden on December 18, 2018 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 3-1. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 18: Neal Pionk #44 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck against Brian Gibbons #23 of the Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden on December 18, 2018 in New York City. The New York Rangers won 3-1. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Is it sustainable?

Short answer, yes.

Despite being tied for fourth on the team in points so far, Pionk only sees 43.1% of offensive zone draws and has been more utilized in the defensive zone, watching the puck drop in his own end 56.9% of the time (seventh overall on the team). Part of that reason is the Rangers have other offensive minded defenseman such as Shattenkirk, Skjei and Tony DeAngelo, and the other reason is because his line mate Staal isn’t known for his offensive prowess.

It was a win-win moment when he decided to take his talents to Broadway and in only his second year, he’s giving New York some tough decisions when he becomes a restricted free agent this summer. Will Jeff Gorton decide he’s part of the long-term plan? Will he be used in a trade? Using Pionk as a trade piece would undoubtedly bring a high return, but it all depends on what kind of future the upper management has planned.

The 2019 draft: offense or defense?. dark. Next

One thing’s for sure, whether this team decides to give him a long term contract, or use him in a trade now for other pieces to the puzzle, the undrafted NCAA defenseman will have a big impact on the future of the New York Rangers.

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