Who should replace Patrik Nemeth on NY Rangers third pair?

The NY Rangers have had an eventful day on the first day of the free agency frenzy. The Rangers signed Vincent Trocheck to take care of the second-line center problem. And now they have freed up some cap space by trading Patrik Nemeth to the Arizona Coyotes.

Trading Nemeth does a lot for the Rangers. For one it puts to bed my unrealistic dream of Arizona being a third team involved in a potential Patrick Kane trade to get him on a cheaper salary. More importantly, it helps free up the cap space needed to sign Kaapo Kakko and maybe a fourth line center to replace Kevin Rooney who signed with the Calgary Flames.

With Nemeth gone the Rangers have now reopened a competition from last season’s training camp. Zac Jones and Nils Lundkvist’s last training camp battled it out for the last defenseman spot, which went to Lundkvist. Lundkvist would play in 25 games before being sent down to Hartford for more consistent playing time.

Zac Jones

Zac Jones has played 22 career NHL games with the Rangers. He joined the team at the end of the 2020-21 season and showed flashes of being an NHL defenseman. This past season he played 12 games and he struggled. Jones had two points and was a -7. Jones is very much an offensive defenseman. In the AHL this season he finished 18th in points among defensemen with 35.

Jones’ faults come from his style of play. At 5’11 he is on the smaller side and doesn’t play a heavy physical game. During the playoffs when Nemeth was struggling, there were questions if Jones should play the third pair with Schneider. The concern with playing him was that would he be able to handle the physical play that the postseason brings. Ultimately Gallant went with a Braun and Schneider third pairing.

Nils Lundkvist

Nils Lunkdvist made his long-awaited debut last season. He played fairly well in his 25 games with the big club. During his time in the NHL, he was able to showcase the offensive talent he has including his wicked shot. Lundkvist had a goal, and four points in his 25 games and was a +4.

Lundkvist, like Jones, is a bit on the smaller side, also at 5’11. Lundkvist is also a good offensive defenseman, but of the two is the better two-way player. What’s hurting Lundkvist is that he is a right-handed shot. The Rangers are set on the right side with Fox, Trouba, and Schneider.

So the question is can he play the left side as a right-handed defenseman? Also, some coaches like to have three lefties and three righties on defense, so which does Gallant prefer? We do know that he likes his third pair to be on the bigger, more physical side, which neither of these players are.

Verdict

The Rangers have two similar players with Zac Jones and Nils Lundkvist. Both are highly talented offensive defensemen who are ready to play in the NHL. Both have equal NHL experience and could quarterback the second power play unit. Jones and Lundkvist also compliment Braden Schneider’s more stay-at-home, physical style of defense. The knock on both is that they are on the smaller and less physical side.

Having to choose between the two I would go with a Nils Lundkvist and Braden Schneider third pair for opening night. I think that Lundkvist is the better player between him and Jones. So who do you think is the better fit for the third pairing? Zac Jones, Nils Lundkvist, or Matthew Robertson? Who is ready and deserves to be in the mix? Drop your comments below.