The New York Rangers have been starting a lineup overloaded with defensemen. While it serves a temporary solution to their surplus on defense, it isn’t helping the team and seems to be serving one purpose, showcasing their trade bait.
Playing with seven defensemen and 11 forwards has become a standard practice for the New York Rangers. Since the All-Star break, they have played eight games, four with seven defensemen and four with six. It really hasn’t affected the team’s record as they have won only one game and lost three in each scenario.
What is does do is play havoc with the forward line and defense rotations. Forwards are double shifted and defense pairs can be a guessing game. Against Winnipeg, Mats Zuccarello logged a game high 24:26 while Filip Chytil played only 6:20.
Fourth liner Boo Nieves is averaging less than seven minutes a game since the All Star break with a low of 3:44 against Tampa. In the same period, Jimmy Vesey‘s time on ice has ranged from a high of 19:51 to a low of 9:11.
The inconsistency of ice time and linemates has to be hurting the development of these players, especially Chytil who is the kind of player who has thrived when getting big minutes and a regular shift.
The defense
On defense the only tandem that has been left alone has been Adam McQuaid and Brady Skjei. Marc Staal plays regularly, but with a revolving door of partners, most often Tony DeAngelo and Neal Pionk. The rest of the defense is always a question mark. In the Winnipeg game at one point the defensive pair taking on the Mark Scheifele line was Tony DeAngelo and Neal Pionk. That’s not the tandem you want on ice against that line.
It seems totally unnecessary except for one reason, they are showcasing their defense prior to the trade deadline. It’s the only way to get their trade-able defensemen into the starting lineup so they can be scouted by playoff contenders.
The coach
It’s pure supposition, but in listening to Coach David Quinn talk about the lineup it seems he hasn’t bought into the concept. Before the Toronto game he said:” We’re getting more comfortable. I’d prefer not to do it, but I am getting more comfortable with it.”
Before the Winnipeg game he said “We’ve managed it better, we’ll get more comfortable with it as we go along.” He tried to justify the lineup with this explanation. “We want to dress our best 18 skaters and right now we think seven of them are defensemen.”
That sounds like someone has been given marching orders to play seven defensemen.
Why they are doing it
With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, deadline buyers will be looking to fill holes. It’s an unusual year with 24 out of 31 teams either in a playoff spot or within six points of a wild card berth.
Defensive help is always at a premium at the deadline. If anyone was surprised that Nick Holden returned a third round draft pick and Rob O’Gara, other defensemen like Michael Kempny and Ian Cole brought a similar return. The fact that Kempny played a key role in the Capitals’ Cup run further reinforces the need for defense depth.
It’s reasonable to assume that every defenseman on the Rangers roster is available. Teams looking for size and experience could look at Brendan Smith, Kevin Shattenkirk and Marc Staal if the Rangers were willing to eat some of their contracts (all have contractual trade limitations that would have to be waived). Brady Skjei is signed longterm and could be seen as a top four defenseman for years to come. Neal Pionk has an offensive upside and is dirt cheap, attractive to a team with salary cap issues. Adam McQuaid is the most likely to be traded as a pure rental with playoff experience and a great reputation. Tony DeAngelo has raised his value this season, but has personality issues that may keep teams away. Fredrik Claesson is an impending RFA with solid credentials, though he has been injured.
How much Claesson plays when he is healthy and who gets benched as a result will be a clear indication of how much the Rangers are looking to deal. One thing is for sure, they won’t be playing eight defensemen and ten forwards.