The New York Rangers, ever-present in deadline day rumors, have acquired Brendan Smith from the Detroit Red Wings.
Hardly the sexiest name on the market, but it’s a solid move nonetheless.
Jeff Gorton and company sent Ottawa’s 2018 second-round pick and a 2017 third-round pick to Detroit to complete the deal. With the move, the Rangers bolster their blueline with a swift-skating defensive defenseman that can play the right side.
Dan Girardi will miss approximately two weeks with an ankle injury and Kevin Klein is still out nursing a groin issue, so this move ensures a bit of security on the right side in their absence.
But what does it mean in the long run?
Brendan Smith is an immediate upgrade over, well, anyone on the right side of the Rangers’ defense. Smith is basically what people should think of when they think of a shutdown defenseman. He is surehanded in all three zones, is able to move the puck forward but does not usually end up on the score sheet.
His possession numbers are quite solid in his career. In the worst season of his career, he still came in with a 50% Corsi-for rating, with every other season ranking higher than 53%. These numbers are very good.
They are even better when compared to the other right-side defensemen that get regular playing time for the Rangers. The last time Dan Girardi was at a 50% Corsi or better was 2008-2009, his sophomore season. Kevin Klein has eclipsed 50% just once in his career, also in 2008-2009 as a 24-year-old Predator. Nick Holden has not really ever come close in his young career.
The one exception is Adam Clendening, who frequents the press box when all the aforementioned players are healthy. His possession numbers are fantastic this season. In 24 games this season, his Corsi-for is 57.3%.
Possession numbers are important for “stay-at-home” defensemen. They measure just how effectively a player suppresses opposing shot attempts and whether or not they really shut things down and exit the zone or whether they just happen to be on the ice while the other team fires repeated shots.
With this in mind, the Rangers have to be patient. Yes, it is frustrating that the team missed out on Kevin Shattenkirk when all signs seemed to be directing him to the Big Apple. Since the backup plan was to acquire someone with five points on the season, it would be easy to shrug this move off and curse management.
Don’t do that just yet.
A lot depends on whether or not the Rangers will be able to lock Smith up. If they are able to retain Smith and deal away one (or both) of Kevin Klein or Dan Girardi, this move is a success. Their offseason focus will almost assuredly be on Shattenkirk.
Brendan Smith does not immediately fix all of the Rangers’ defensive woes. It does not mean that one of their defensemen is out the door by Wednesday. It does not mean they can now compete with Pittsburgh or Washington, or even Columbus for that matter.
What it does mean is that their blueline is a bit quicker. It means that their blueline is a bit younger.
This move plans a bit for the future, which is a mindset not often associated with the New York Rangers.
Management is likely shooting to lock up Smith for two or three years following this season, then turn their attention to a six-year deal with Shattenkirk. Young prospect Ryan Graves may be NHL-ready in a year or two as well. If the Rangers play their cards right, and come to their senses on a few harsh realities, they may just be able to reshape their defensive core and continue their youth-speed movement.
So no, don’t expect magic to come from this deal. This is not an Eric Staal, Keith Yandle or Martin St. Louis deal that the Rangers are prone to making.
And for once, that’s a good thing.
As for the Detroit Red Wings, this is a splendid haul. Ottawa’s second rounder will likely be in the middle-late portion of next year’s draft, plus a third. For someone who did not exactly have teams lusting after him, they maximized their return for Brendan Smith.
Steven Kampfer will be playing for the Rangers tonight as they take on (who else) Kevin Shattenkirk and the Washington Capitals. Smith was in Vancouver with his team as of today and obviously not arrive in time.
Hey, maybe this means he will avoid the mumps epidemic going on there.
