How good would the ex-Rangers team be?
By Steve Paulus
Defense
The defense for the ex-Rangers is pretty solid and experienced. The key question is chemistry. Like the current Rangers, they are loaded with offensive threats including Kevin Shattenkirk, Keith Yandle and Neal Pionk. It’s a solid group and the three blueliners who don’t make the starting six are all starting with the NHL teams.
There’s no doubt that Ryan McDonagh would man the left side on the top pair. How would he work with right-shot Anton Stralman? They know each other from New York and Tampa.
On the second pair, Kevin Shattenkirk would be free to be an offensive right shot weapon, paired with Ryan Graves to watch his back. Graves never made it to the Rangers, but has become a defensive star with Colorado, leading the league in plus/minus as Cale Makar’s partner.
The third pair is an offensive machine with Keith Yandle and Neal Pionk. it could be too much of a good thing and they could be a scary duo when it comes to defense.
The back up defensemen include three solid players in Brady Skjei , Nick Holden, Marc Staal, all left shot blueliners.
Rookie Joey Keane will be getting ready to crack the starting lineup and John Moore and Steven Kampfer will be ready for fill in duty. Destined for the AHL are Dylan McIlrath, Sean Day , Adam Clendening, Chris Bigras, John Gilmour, Fredrik Claeson and Michael Del Zotto.