New York Rangers Mid-Season Report Card: Defensemen

In our second installment of NYR Nation’s mid-season assesment, we take a look at the Rangers’ defensive core that has, more or less, been one of the focal points in this season’s success.

 

 

Stu Bickel

 

 

Jonathan Ragus’ Assessment: Bickel has been very solid since being called up due to the many injuries on the blue line. The grade would be higher if we got to see him more this season. But he is definitely a part of the Rangers defensive future, or at least someone other teams would like to pry away.  Grade: C-

Christopher Decker’s Assessment: I’m not going to lie. I didn’t know much about Bickel before he got called up from the Connecticut Whale. But after watching him play, I’ve decided that I really do like the guy. He has solid defensive awareness and rarely fouls up. He’s a tough guy D-man, which you don’t really find much of in the NHL these days. He doesn’t really step up offensively, but he’ll step in the minute he sees a teammate in trouble. Grade: B-

Adam Garabedian’s Assessment: I’ll admit that I thought Stu Bickel was nothing more than an AHL goon who could collect penalty minutes coming into this season, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised with what we’ve seen from him so far. Bickel has displayed a lot more hockey sense than I thought he did, and he’s more than handled his own playing on the third pairing in limited minutes. He’s a big body who isn’t afraid to drop the gloves (one may argue he’s too eager to do so, in fact) and gives the Rangers an intriguing option for their third D-pairing going forward. Grade: C+

Glen Miller’s Assessment: He’s only played 10 games and before the season was really a non-prospect. When the injuries began to mount on the Rangers blueline, Bickell stepped into the breach and has been a steady, if unspectacular contributor on the third pair. He won’t wow you with his skill but he stands up for his teammates and isn’t a liability. Grade: B

Jim Reilly’s Assessment: Another fantastic surprise, filled in admirably in his 11 games on the blueline. Size, toughness and the even ability to contribute a bit offensively. Grade: B

Michelle Milne Schoeller’s Assessment: After a good presence at training camp, I figured there was no way, given the Rangers depth on defense, that Bickel would be up here.  He plays a smart game for a younger guy who has not played in the NHL, which surprises many.  He also has a very feisty persona on the ice, willing to drop the gloves when needed and certainly not afraid to make good use of his size and strength.  I wouldn’t be surprised if once our D is healthy that he is back in the Whale, but it won’t be for long. Grade: B

 

 

Michael Del Zotto

 

 

Jonathan Ragus’ Assessment: Why bloggers/writers who trashed talked Del Zotto last season and this offseason cannot man up and say they were wrong still baffles me. Del Zotto has proved EVERYONE wrong with his play this season. A huge part of the Rangers success. Grade: B+

Christopher Decker’s Assessment: It’s really, really, really…….really hard to deny the fact that Michael Del Zotto is having a career year. After a pretty awful Sophomore slump, MDZ is putting up points and playing a great two-way game. Granted, he gets caught making a mistake now and then, but what do you expect from a guy who likes to take chances? Chances, mind you, that have resulted in more success than failure. I haven’t seen a Rangers defenseman with this much offensive upside since Brian Leetch. Grade: A-

Adam Garabedian’s Assessment: After a dreadful sophomore season, Michael Del Zotto has come back with a fantastic season and has done so while being asked to pick up a ton of responsibility due to the injuries of Marc Staal, Steve Eminger and Michael Sauer. Del Zotto has raised his game to another level and has a plus-25 rating, which is good for the fifth best plus-minus rating in the league. Not only has Del Zotto shown he can be the offensive player we all thought he would from his first season, he’s also improved miles defensively. Every now and then he’ll still get caught pinching too deep and will make you want to pull your hair out, but he’s still improved tremendously overall. Grade: B+

Glen Miller’s Assessment: What a difference a year makes. After last year’s dreadful performance MDZ’s stock had dropped in the eyes of many fans to the point not many tears would have been shed had he been dealt in the offseason. Now he is an indispensable member of an overachieving blue line and his career is back on track to what we hope will eventually yield All-Star and Norris consideration one day. Grade: A

Jim Reilly’s Assessment: The biggest turnaround from one season to another in Rangers history? Maybe? Shown world class ability at only 21 years old, probably about 6 years away from even entering his prime. It’s possible he could be one of the great ones. Grade: A

Michelle Milne Schoeller’s Assessment: After last years gosh awful sophomore season, I expected big things from DZ. He’s delivered, especially with Staal out of the line up. He has had his WTF moments, but overall his game has improved vastly from last years. Grade: B+

 

 

Steve Eminger

 

 

Jonathan Ragus’ Assessment: He was playing very solid hockey for the Blueshirts but the injury bug came and took him away. It created a hole in the lineup until the likes of Bickel and Woywitka were brought to the team. Grade: D

Christopher Decker’s Assessment: Unfortunately for Eminger, a decent start to the season has been hindered by a dislocated shoulder. Emmy’s presence on the back-end was something most Rangers fans never expected to experience. But in the games he has played, he’s been a solid. More often than not, I barely heard Eminger’s name mentioned in broadcasts. On defense, that can equate to a good thing. It means he doesn’t make many mistakes. He does have games, though, where he doesn’t show up.  Grade: C

Adam Garabedian’s Assessment: I’ve actually been pretty high on Steve Eminger ever since he became a Ranger and feel like his play has somewhat been underrated. Eminger can be a steady sixth defenseman if you’re not expecting him to be more than that, and his play was starting to really round into form before he dislocated his shoulder. If and when we’ll see Eminger again in a Rangers uniform remains to be seen, though. Grade: C+

Glen Miller’s Assessment: Steady is Eminger’s game. When he is going well you don’t notice him. He’s currently out of the lineup due to a shoulder injury but before that was his usual reliable self. When he and Sauer return from injury the Rangers will have some interesting decisions to make. Grade: C+

Jim Reilly’s Assessment: A fixture as a member of the top 6 of the blueline in the first 30 games, separated his shoulder will be out until March. Solid all season, was a +4 in one of his last games, a 6-1 win over Florida. Grade: B

Michelle Milne Schoeller’s Assessment: Poor guy couldn’t catch a break with the injury. He was having a decent season, on the 3^rd pairing, but with Bickel & Woywitka’s skill and now the return of Staal and the imminent return of Sauer, one has to ask, ‘Will he be around?’ Grade: C-

 

 

Dan Girardi

 

 

Jonathan Ragus’ Assessment: From the ECHL to the NHL All-Star Game. Dan Girardi has been spectacular for the Blueshirts this season. With his fellow d-man Marc Staal being out for the beginning of the whole season up until recently, it gave Rangers fans and NHL fans the chance to see how amazing this kid really is. Grade: A+

Christopher Decker’s Assessment: This one is easy. For the non-Rangers fan, it’s simple to dismiss Dan Girardi as one of the best defenseman in the league based off of his stats. But to the fans who watch this guy play night in and night out, they understand that he is indeed one of, if not the most, underrated D-man in the NHL. G was named to his first All-Star Game as a direct result of his stay-at-home defense – a quality I don’t think has ever been a reason why a player gets an All-Star nod. He also showed extraordinary resiliency when both Marc Staal and Michael Sauer went down with injuries.  Grade: A

Adam Garabedian’s Assessment: An All-Star for the first time in his career this season, Dan Girardi has been an absolute anchor on defense for the Rangers and there’s no telling where they would be without him. When Marc Staal went down with a concussion there was a lot of uncertainty as far as how the Rangers defense would operate without him, but Girardi’s stellar play almost made some fans forget that Marc Staal was missing sometimes. Girardi has made every other defenseman on the team even better with his elevated play this season and leads all players in the league in total ice time per game. Grade: A

Glen Miller’s Assessment: Girardi has officially stepped out of Marc Staal’s shadow. Prior to this season he was the other half of the Rangers top shutdown duo. Now in the absence of Staal for much of the season, he has become an All-Star in his own right. He leads the league in minutes played per game and is again among the league leaders in hits and blocked shots by defensemen (4^th overall in both categories). Girardi has been everything they could have hoped for and more for the Rangers this year. Grade: A

Jim Reilly’s Assessment: Arguably the best story of what has been a series of great Ranger stories the first half of season. Stepped up more than anyone could have imagined in the absence of Marc Staal and is now a legit NHL all-star defenseman. Grade: A+

Michelle Milne Schoeller’s Assessment: The man is a beast, soaking up close to 30 minutes a game. He’s proven that he can play smart and is well deserving of not only the A on his sweater, but the A grade as well. Grade: A-

 

 

Ryan McDonagh

 

 

Jonathan Ragus’ Assessment: Was playing outstanding hockey until that one game where he had a few mental breakdowns and it really took him off his game. McDonagh will come back to playing like his old self again and it will be a huge jump for the Rangers. Grade: C

Christopher Decker’s Assessment: McDonagh began the year on a tear. He has since cooled down significantly, but still remains one of the Rangers’ staple defenseman. When the Rangers’ defensive core was decimated early in the season, McD stepped up big time adding both defensive prowess and some scoring touch as well. Ryan has a ton of potential and while he goes through this learning phase, he will only get better. Grade: B-

Adam Garabedian’s Assessment: Like Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh’s play this season was a gigantic part of the Rangers’ success in the first half of the season. McDonagh has quickly become everything the Rangers thought they were getting when they acquired him in the Scott Gomez deal fromMontreal. He’s already turned into a shutdown stud defenseman in only his second season, and he’s shown some brilliant flashes of an offensive game that’s still developing, too. Grade: A-

Glen Miller’s Assessment: It’s hard to believe but McDonagh has only the equivalent of one season’s worth of NHL game experience under his belt. He took the place of Staal as Girardi’s partner and the Rangers defense hasn’t missed a beat. He’s even showed flashes of an improving offensive game. He’s another reason Ranger fans should be excited about the future of this team. Grade: A-

Jim Reilly’s Assessment: Not quite as big a story as Girardi, but still huge in his own right. Still only 22 years old, McDonagh has proven he can handle pressure situations and has the poise of a 10 year NHL vet on the blueline. Future all-star no doubt. Grade: A-

Michelle Milne Schoeller’s Assessment: McDonagh has had a spotty season, inconsistent. He needs to refocus and get his confidence back.  Once he’s playing a consistent game, he should be a force to be contended with. Grade: B-

 

 

Michael Sauer

 

 

Jonathan Ragus’ Assessment: Last season Sauer was great, this season the injuries that have plagued him in the past are once again back. This time around Sauer suffered a concussion thanks to Dion Phaneuf. Get well soon Michael. Grade: Incomplete

Christopher Decker’s Assessment: When Sauer isn’t injured, he is one of the Rangers’ best defenseman. Unfortunately, this has been the year of the injury for him. I don’t expect injuries to plague his career. When healthy again, expect him to regain his form. Grade: Incomplete

Adam Garabedian’s Assessment: Michael Sauer was another defenseman who elevated his play in the first half of the season to pick up for what the Rangers were missing without Marc Staal. Sidelined since Dec. 6 with a concussion, Sauer is progressing and should hopefully be back soon. When he does, it’ll make an already stellar defense even better. Grade: B

Glen Miller’s Assessment: His grade is somewhat incomplete as he has missed significant time this season due to injuries. While he was in the lineup he was his usual steady self and the team will be even better when he returns healthy. Grade: B

Jim Reilly’s Assessment: Extremely solid all season long defensively until a concussion from a nasty Dion Phaneuf hit halted his season. Positive news that his return may not be far off. Grade: B+

Michelle Milne Schoeller’s Assessment: Injuries prevent me from being able to grade him as I wanted to. His play, up until his concussion, was good.  He’s a strong kid and has the skill set to be a great defensemen.  When he returns, I hope he comes back the same way he left. Grade: B-

 

 

Marc Staal

 

 

Jonathan Ragus’ Assessment: He just returned and has not found his game just yet. Let’s hope Staal stays healthy and continues to progress on the ice. It will be the biggest deadline acquisition for the Blueshirts if Staal comes back to playing like the old Marc Staal. Grade: Incomplete

Christopher Decker’s Assessment: Staal is still trying to catch up to the speed of an NHL game after missing a significant amount of time with post-concussion syndrome. I fully expect Staal to be the Rangers’ best defenseman when he has regained his conditioning. Grade: Incomplete

Adam Garabedian’s Assessment: I gave Marc Staal a B, but you could really choose any letter grade to give him since he’s only been back for just over a week now. Staal’s play has improved in each game so far and is very quickly returning to form after missing the first three months of the season with a concussion. With Staal getting better and better, it won’t be long before he’s back to getting 25 minutes a night with Dan Girardi on the top pair. Grade: B

Jim Reilly’s Assessment: Thank goodness he has returned, he is slowly coming into form, going to be a beast by the time the playoffs start. Grade: Incomplete

Michelle Milne Schoeller’s Assessment: Since his return, his game is not near what it was pre-injury, therefore the grade I would assign him would not accurately reflect him. Give him time and the end of season grade will be stellar. Grade: Incomplete

 

 

Anton Stralman

 

 

Jonathan Ragus’ Assessment: A very solid signing by Glen Sather at the start of the season, Stralman has impressed with his ability to get up ice with the puck and get some good opportunities on goal. Do not deny his defensive game as well as that has shocked many. Grade: C

Christopher Decker’s Assessment: Aside from the fact that Stralman looks like Norman Reedus (Walking Dead), he’s been a pretty solid addendum to the Rangers’ defensive core. He has an offensive upside that I’d like to see more of.  Grade: B

Adam Garabedian’s Assessment: A free agent signing in November, nobody had high expectations when the Rangers signed Anton Stralman and he was simply brought in to be a veteran body with Marc Staal injured and Tim Erixon’s game struggling. Over the past month since Michael Sauer has been out with a concussion, I’ve honestly been pleasantly surprised with just how much better Stralman has gotten. He’s now reached a point where it’s hard to take him out of the lineup when everyone is healthy since he’s done everything the coaching staff has asked of him and more. Grade: C+

Glen Miller’s Assessment: Stralman was added in-season and has been a pleasant surprise. Not known for physical play, he has changed the way he plays to fit into the lineup. He has a hard, accurate shot that he needs to get on net more often to add another element to the Rangers attack. Grade: B

Jim Reilly’s Assessment: Praise the Devils for not keeping this guy out of training camp! One of the biggest surprises of the Rangers season thus far. Has fit like a glove and filled in admirably for the injured defensemen will be hard to ever take out of the lineup. Grade: B+

Michelle Milne Schoeller’s Assessment: I will say, Stralman has impressed me. He’s got some ‘giddy up’ to his game and is not afraid to move the puck.  He’s proven that he should be the 3^rd pairing, but time will tell with the return of Eminger and Sauer. Grade: B-

 

 

Jeff Woywitka

 

 

Jonathan Ragus’ Assessment: Since being signed, Woywitka proved to be very sturdy on the third pairing. Unfortunately he was the odd man out when Staal returned although he really did/does deserve to be playing. Once again, unfortunately there isn’t a 4th pairing of d-man in the NHL. Grade: C

Christopher Decker’s Assessment: I never expected Woywitka to play as well as he has for the Rangers. However, before his injury, his game dropped off considerably and he began to look sluggish and slow to the puck or to cover a man. Regardless, Jeff adds depth to our already deep defensive core. Grade: C+

Adam Garabedian’s Assessment: Jeff Woywitka was another veteran defenseman the Rangers brought in at the last minute to help fill minutes they lost when Marc Staal went down. Woywitka played a simple game in not many minutes, but he proved to be a valuable sixth or seventh defenseman. He’s the odd man out now with Marc Staal back, but if the Rangers needed him to step in again for a game here and there he’s not a terrible option to have. Grade: C

Glen Miller’s Assessment: Woywitka, a waiver-wire addition late in training camp when the Rangers learned of the severity of Staal’s post-concussion issues, has been another steady, if unspectacular option for Torts on the blueline. He is not the smoothest of skaters but usually makes the smart first pass and plays a physical game. Grade: B-

Jim Reilly’s Assessment: The odd man out now due to the return of Marc Staal, nothing to do with his on ice performance. Another player on the blueline who stepped up flawlessly on the black and blue Blueshirts blueline in the first half. Grade: B

Michelle Milne Schoeller’s Assessment: Prior to his ‘foot’ injury, Woywitka was a good fit for the 3^rd pairing. He was brought in to replace the gaps left by Staal’s injury, but now with Staal’s return and the imminent returns of Sauer and Eminger, I’m not sure there will be room in the lineup for him. Grade: B

 

(All photos courtesy of rangers.nhl.com)