New York Rangers: Brady Skjei Can Help Pave The Way
The young talented New York Rangers defenseman will be relied on heavily this season. With the team losing a puck moving defenseman in Keith Yandle this in the offseason, what is to be expected of the young 22-year-old?
Before I even jump into my predictions and beliefs on the New York Rangers defenseman with the impossible to spell last name, here are his stats.
Traditional Career Stats (Incl. Playoffs)
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Games Played: 12
Goals: 0
Assists: 2
Points: 2
+/-: 2
TOI: {about} 18 minutes per game
Role: Top 6 Defenseman
Season in Review
What Brady Skjei did for the New York Rangers by stepping into the lineup while players like Dan Girardi and Dan Boyle recovered from injury was impressive for a rookie. He stepped in and played arguably better than any defenseman on the team during the short playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The skillful puck moving defenseman has been seen as a very high caliber prospect in the New York Rangers system for many years. When I look at Brady Skjei, I see a mix of two players. Firstly, I see shades of the captain Ryan McDonagh.
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Skjei skates very well, almost melodic around the ice. You don’t fully pay attention to him when he is on the ice because he is very quiet when he is on the ice. It feels like the scene from the Mighty Ducks when Gordon Bombay learns to fly again.
The other player is a former teammate, Keith Yandle. Both Skjei and Yandle move the puck well and have very important offensive upside that can help add another element to the team. The difference I find, at least in the short sample size, is that Skjei is a smarter player.
Since no. 76 will be replacing Yandle, who, if I’m being honest I deplored while he was a New York Ranger, he must continue to be smart as a player and continue to grow. He was wiser than his years would lead most to believe.
Skjei resembles the same skills that John Moore did which made Moore such a valuable trade chip. Essentially Skjei will replace both players involved in the dreaded New York Rangers and Arizona Coyotes trade (Yandle and Moore).
Projected 2016-17 Stats
Goals: 1
Assists: 5
Points: 6
+/-: 15
TOI: 24:68
Projected Role: Top 6 Defenseman (2nd and 3rd Pairings)
Since this will be his first full season in the NHL there will be growing pains. Personally, the projections that I found here for Brady Skjei are rather low because he really does seem to have far more upside than down.
Many fans are curious to see who will fill in for the offensive losses that the roster has suffered with the departures of Keith Yandle and Dan Boyle. While it is asking a lot for a team to rely on a rookie defenseman, Skjei was simply brilliant during his short showing last season.
Should the team succeed and improve on last years disappointment it will take smart defenseman and for the young talented players like Skjei to play far beyond their years.
Maybe it is asking a lot from the young player. However, Brady Skjei can help pave the way to success this year and many more after.
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