Another Look at the Rangers D After the Stralman Signing

November 5, 2011 | Posted by Leslie Treff

The Rangers announced this afternoon that they have signed free agent defenseman Anton Stralman to a contract. No terms were announced, but its widely understood to be a one year deal for under a million dollars.

Although there is much speculation as to what this means regarding the injury status of Marc Staal, it really may not have anything to do with that situation at all. Stralman is an experienced NHL defenseman, who can provide some offense and hopefully better defense than has been seen at times in Rangers’ blue this season. Although the Rangers may not have been as anxious to make this move had Staal been playing, its really the spot that the Blueshirts had hope that Tim Erixon would fill that Stralman will take on the roster.

A quick review of the defense indicates that this is true.

Currently, the Rangers have been using Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh as their top pairing, and they have played extremely well together. McDonagh’s progress has been nothing short of amazing, with the young two-way blueliner developing into a real top pairing player.

The second pairing has been the Mikes–Mike Sauer and Michael Del Zotto. Sauer has become just what he looked to promise last year, i.e., a quiet blueliner, who gets in the way of the opposition making plays. Whether its with his stick, his body, or just with good positioning, Sauer is there, steadily making the plays. It’s Del Zotto who has taken a leap forward this season. While the Rangers’ coaching staff were looking for Del Zotto to get his swagger back, what seemed to be the problem was that his focus was not always there. One good play would be followed by one that turned the puck over; consistent concentration did not seem to be in Del Zotto’s repertoire. So, he would make one incredible stretch pass to hit a man streaking in on the opposing goalie, and then pass across the ice in his own zone and have it intercepted. Or he would pass into his teammate’s skate.

Del Zotto’s defense was almost non-existent last year. But Del Zotto had both the creativity, vision and the shot to be one, so, it was hoped that he would grow into a third pairing power play specialist. It’s quite a pleasant surprise that he has become much more thus far this season. It’s not that he never makes poor plays, but they occur much less frequently, and when they do, they rarely are hurting the team very badly. And Del Zotto’s defense has improved enormously. No longer a liability defensively, the coaching staff can put him and Sauer out there at crucial times.

Had Staal been in uniform to start the season, Del Zotto would still be playing as a member of the third pairing. But he actually looks like he should be the number four guy on an NHL blueline. If there is a silver lining in Staal’s injury (which is hard to find, I know), its the development of Del Zotto under this pressure to become a second pairing blueliner.

It’s the bottom pairing that has been the problem for New York this season. Before the season, it was hoped that Erixon was ready for NHL play. In Traverse City, he looked ready and the Rangers were hopeful that he and Del Zotto would be their fifth and sixth blueliners. Steve Eminger was already signed as the seventh D-man, so it was thought that, if Erixon was ready, no further moves would need to be made.

As it turned out Erixon was not ready, but was thought to be close. Unfortunately, with Staal’s injury, Erixon was needed, and right after being sent to start the season with the AHL Connecticut Whale, he was recalled to take the trip to Europe. The first few weeks were difficult for the young Swede, and as it turns out, he really wasn’t close. He needs time to work on his game at the lower level; it does not, however, mean that he won’t be recalled later this season. It worked for McDonagh last season, and the Rangers hope the same will be true for Erixon.

What should have been one open position had Staal been playing was now two. The Rangers have used Eminger, Jeff Woywitka, and Brendan Bell as the fifth and sixth defensemen variously thus far this season. And although at times, either or both of Eminger and Woywitka have been adequate, if the Rangers want to get into the playoffs, this situation could not continue. So the question for weeks has been, who would be signed? Would it be a free agent or would there be a trade?

It’s early in the season for a big trade, so when rumors of an offer out to Stralman broke, it made sense. He could fill the role that Erixon was supposed to fill, and maybe ready to fill by mid-season. In the meantime, only one of Eminger and Woywitka will suit up each night. It’s a win-win situation, as long as Stralman plays as he did two seasons ago. It’s a risk, but right now the Rangers don’t have many options as they wait for Staal to return and Erixon to be NHL-ready.

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