Blue Line Station
Fansided

What to do about the logjam on defense

By Steve Paulus

Nils Lundkvist poses after being selected twenty-eighth overall by the New York Rangers
Nils Lundkvist poses after being selected twenty-eighth overall by the New York Rangers /
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New York Rangers Zac Jones #39 of the United States in action during the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship (Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images) /

Knocking on the door

  • Zac Jones, 20, LD – A brief audition at the end of the season opened some eyes.  His work at the World Championships has been impressive.  He has two years left on his ELC and has proved that he is NHL ready.
  • Nils Lundkvist, 21, RD – The Swedish wunderkind just signed his ELC after a season when he was one of the best, if not the best defenseman in the SHL . He carried it through to the World Championships  before he was injured.  He is slated to start his pro career with Hartford, but based on his play in Sweden, he looks to be ready to make the jump to the NHL.
  • Libor Hajek, 23, LD – The Czech defenseman was a forgotten man on the taxi squad until David Quinn was forced to use him due to injury.  He had a bounce back year and revived some of those hopes from when he was acquired from Tampa. He is a Restricted Free Agent, looking for a new deal this summer.

    • Braden Schneider, 19,  RD

    – Schneider will be 20 when the season starts and just signed his ELC.  He’s on Team Canada’s roster at the World Championships though he is not playing much and was just named the best defenseman in the WHL East Division.

    He will need seasoning in Hartford, but his size and toughness make him a possibility to make the roster in September.

    Tarmo Reunanen, 23  LD

    – Reunanen was just named to the AHL Atlantic Division All-Star team and he’s proven that he can be an offensive force.  He’s conquered the Finnish Liiga and now, the AHL so all that is left is the NHL.

    Some question his ability to defend, but no one disputes his offensive capabilities.  He has one more year on his ELC and it’s getting to be time for the Rangers to give him a shot or trade him.

    Dark Horses

    Matthew Robertson,20,  LD

    – Robertson has been overlooked in the prospect pool, but he has quietly been improving and this season was named the WHL Central Division’s best defenseman.

    His ELC will probably slide meaning they will have him under contract for three more years.  He’s destined for Hartford after three years with Edmonton in the WHL.  He;has been overshadowed by Lundkvist, Jones and Schndeider, but he is a fine prospect.

  • Hunter Skinner, 20, RD – Hunter Skinner raised his profile and his standing in the organization by winning a gold medal at the WJC and when he signed with Utah of the ECHL after the OHL season was cancelled. With seven goals and 17 points in 26 games, he earned an ELC with the team and a promotion to Hartford.  He still needs work, but as a right shot blueliner, he is a valuable asset.
  • Tony Bitetto, 30,  LD –   Signed primarily to satisfy expansion draft requirements, Bitetto had a few highlights during the season which he spent mostly on the taxi squad.  He brings experience and a willingness to mix it up,but he is being surpassed on the depth chart by all of the young Rangers talent.
  • Mason Geertsen,26,  LD – When the Rangers gave Geertsen a two year contract, it surprised some observers, but Geertsen is the one “tough guy” on the Rangers roster.  His future with the team may be as a depth forward who brings toughness to the lineup, perhaps as a younger version of Brendan Smith.

    • It will be decision time for a couple of Blueshirt defense prospects this summer.  There’s also the chance that the Rangers will go the free agent route looking for a veteran presence.

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