New York Rangers report card series looks at defenseman Brady Skjei who was playing his first season after signing a six-year contract extension last summer
Brady Skjei: Grade C-
The New York Rangers made a significant investment in defenseman Brady Skjei when they signed the 25-year old to a six-year $31.5 million contract extension last summer. Skjei, coming off a sophomore campaign in the NHL that was certainly a step backward was looking to regain the form that saw him finish tenth in the Calder Trophy balloting for rookie of the year in 2016-17.
His season
Looking at the 2018-19 season for Brady Skjei, the devil certainly seems to be in the details. It was a season wrought with challenge of living up to a new contract as well as well as the role change within the Rangers blueline rotation. With the merry-go-round of defense partners he was paired with which was only further complicated by a heightened role and level of expectation.
Clearly any analysis or metrics suggest that Skjei has failed to live up to the expectations of the fans, coaches and perhaps the ones he placed upon himself. When Skjei was most effective he was slotted on the second and third pair at less than 18 minutes per game.
Similar to the departed Ryan McDonagh’s struggles with his move to the top pair, Skjei has suffered a similar fate compounded with playing four more minutes with less capable partners than the former Rangers captain. His on ice time at even strength led the Rangers and his total on ice (TOI) was second only to Mika Zibanejad but the increase in ice time would suggest generally worse results.
His defensive point share was tops among the Rangers at 3.2 yet most would say he had a challenging season especially as his actual point scoring was just (8-17-25) and an offensive point share that was just 11th on the team.
Why the grade
It’s not through a generous bell curve that avoids a below average mark however there’s room for improvement. Certainly Skjei was tentative in decision making which seems to have been captured on every game highlight summary; that his defensive struggles were brought on by himself and not other’s doing.
Despite leading the blueline scoring with eight goals, the sheer need to improve his offensive contribution as a first pair defenseman and playmaker is the step Skjei needs to make. He cannot be afraid of taking risks or making mistakes which seems to be a mental hold back between the ears.
Many suggest his best games were the result of veteran Adam McQuaid being the steadying influence among the myriad of defense partners. It’s ironic that his performance metrics actually improved after McQuaid was traded on March 8th.
Overall his shot and chance results were still slightly above average for the year, possibly indicating that he wasn’t completely out of place with the higher TOI. The key for Coach David Quinn is to find Skjei a complimentary right side partner or have Skjei move to the off-shot right side and pair him with a left shot partner.
Brady Skjei has certainly shown flashes of being a good NHL defenseman. At 25, he has the physical skill, but at the same time it is clear he may need a better partner in order to maximize his offensive production and effectiveness. David Quinn’s challenge is to find that perfect more fitting match for Skjei if he is to be expected to remain on the top pair while the Rangers pipeline of defensemen mature and make the advances in development.
The numbers
Games: 78
Goals: 8 (10th, 1st among Ranger defensemen)
Assists: 17
Points: 25 (12th, 4th among Ranger defensemen)
Points Per Game: 0.32
CF%: 45.9%
Plus/Minus: -4
PIM: 44
ATOI: 21.14
Hits: 178 (1st on team)
Blocked Shots: 118 (tied for 1st)
Next report card: Brendan Smith