New York Rangers: A potential third pair defense problem

The New York Rangers roster is almost set as we head into 2022-23.  At forward, we pretty much know who will make the team, it’s just a matter of where they will play.   But what about the defense?  There is a big question mark when it comes to the third pairing.

Look for Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren to make up the top twosome.  It will be Jacob Trouba and K’Andre Miller as the second duo.   What about the third pair?

Here are the candidates.  Braden Schneider has the inside track as the right-shot blueliner based on his debut last season.   When it comes to the left side there are three candidates: Libor Hajek, Zac Jones, and Matthew Robertson.

While Ranger fans are thrilled that the Patrik Nemeth era has ended in New York, it’s worth noting that it was Justin Braun who played most of the playoffs with Schneider, not any of this season’s candidates.  It was clear that Gerard Gallant valued the experience that Braun brought to the table, something that is sorely lacking going into 2022-23.

Experience or a lack of it

Here’s how many games the possible third-pair defensemen have played in the NHL:

• 21-year-old  Braden Schneider has 63 regular season and playoff games
• 24-year-old Libor Hajek has played 94 games (17 last season)
• 22-year-old Zac Jones has played 22 NHL games (12 last season)
• 21-year-old Matthew Robertson has yet to make his NHL debut.

While we celebrate the Rangers’ youth and they have been incredibly successful force-feeding their players into the NHL, that’s still a very inexperienced third defense pair.  Furthermore, it lacks the mentoring and guidance a veteran blueliner can provide.

The experienced defensemen in the system are 30-year-old Jarred Tinordi and 29-year-old Andy Welinski.  While both of them have NHL experience, neither can be considered candidates for a regular role on the third pair.

It may be hard to believe, but it’s possible (but highly unlikely) that we will actually miss Patrik Nemeth.

Any solutions?

Can the Rangers add an experienced defenseman through free agency?  They are hard against the salary cap with only $1 million in cap space.   That number includes 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goalies.  It doesn’t include Vitali Kravtsov ($875 AAV) or Professional Tryout (PTO) candidate Jimmy Vesey.

Waivers become a big issue for New York.  Both Libor Hajek and Vitali Kravtsov are NOT exempt from waivers.  The Rangers cannot send them to Hartford without exposing them and it’s pretty much a sure thing that both would be snatched up.  So, if Kravtsov has to be added to the roster, there is no cap space left at all to add a veteran defenseman.

There are some left-shot free agent defensemen who could fit.  There’s 29-year-old Nathan Beaulieu, a 10-year veteran who has played for Gallant in the QMJHL.   Arthur Staple of The Athletic (subscription required) mentioned that he could be a PTO candidate.

Of course, any discussion of veterans has to include 45-year-old Zdeno Chara.  Before you dismiss that possibility, it’s worth noting that he has incredible leadership qualities, and playing sheltered minutes on the third pair could suit him well.  He played 77 games for the Islanders last season and hasn’t had a negative plus/minus rating since 2001. He may be slow, but he’s no Nemeth.

To make room for signing anyone at the NHL minimum, the Rangers would probably have to demote Hajek and risk losing him to a waiver claim.  Considering that Gallant preferred to use Nemeth or Braun over Hajek, his days as a Ranger may be numbered. The other option is demoting Zac Jones again, a move that would not make the young defenseman very happy.

For now

It appears that Zac Jones is the favorite to team up with Braden Schneider to form the third defense pairing.  Gerard Gallant was very complimentary about Jones after he replaced Adam Fox in the lineup for a few games in February.

He told reporters “What we like about him, he can skate, he moves the puck real well. He’s a talented guy. He can play power play if you need him. I think he played really well. He came in and he was confident and he’s a lot like the Schneider kid that came in and they’re confident.”  Gallant added  “They’ve done a good job in the American League, playing well and getting pro game experience. I’ve got nothing but good things to say from what I’ve seen from him.”

That certainly sounds like a rousing endorsement and is more than he has ever said about Nils Lundkvist, Hajek, or Robertson.

Another option is breaking up the top four to make a whole new defensive alignment, but considering the Fox-Lindgren, Trouba-Miller chemistry, why mess with success?

No matter how confident a Schneider-Jones pairing will be, they bring 85 NHL games experience to the table and that is not a lot. It could lead to some adventurous nights at Madison Square Garden this season.  Stay tuned.