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Rangers vs Devils: What’s at stake tonight

By Steve Paulus

The New York Rangers defend against the New Jersey Devils (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The New York Rangers defend against the New Jersey Devils (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 02: Libor Hajek #25 of the New York Rangers and Craig Smith #12 of the Boston Bruins battle for control of the puck during the third period of the preseason game at TD Garden on October 02, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 02: Libor Hajek #25 of the New York Rangers and Craig Smith #12 of the Boston Bruins battle for control of the puck during the third period of the preseason game at TD Garden on October 02, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Spare defenseman: Tinordi vs Hajek

There is one job left on the Rangers and that is the role of seventh defenseman.  With the top six set, that player won’t see a lot of action, but will step in when there are injuries.   There are two players left and they are very different players.  Libor Hajek and Jarred Tinordi will be battling for this role with both needing to clear waivers if sent to Hartford.

Hajek is much maligned.  Portrayed as a key piece of the Ryan McDonagh trade in 2018, he hasn’t lived up to the hype. That said, the 22-year old blueliner started last season as the seventh defenseman and ended up playing 44 of the 56 games and he didn’t embarrass himself.  Hajek is not a flashy defenseman, but he does get the job done and can step into a role as a fulltime blueliner.   That’s why the belief is if he is placed on waivers there are several teams who will be quick to grab him.

Jarred Tinordi was signed as a free agent in the off-season as part of the mission to make the Rangers a tougher team.  Tinordi fits that bill, but to be honest, he hasn’t had a great camp.  His primary asset is his physicality, but some of his shifts in the Rangers’ zone has been a little scary.

The prediction?  The team has to keep Hajek on the roster.  He’s a proven defenseman and he hasn’t played himself off the team.  Tinordi will likely clear waivers and could be the first call up from Hartford if the team needs some muscle.  Honestly, in adding Ryan Reaves, Sammy Blais and Barclay Goodrow, the team has added enough grit and Nemeth provides some of that on the blue line as well.

It’s not just the battle over open jobs worth watching, there are other interesting options for Gerard Gallant.

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