kevin shattenkirk

There is a growing line of thinking on Twitter that the Rangers should stand pat this deadline, perhaps take advantage of Michael Grabner’s season by trading him now, and then retool the blue line for next season. At the start of the season, I was on this train. It made logical sense, since the Rangers likely wouldn’t be able to compete for a Cup with the blue line as it currently stands.

Fast forward to today, and I have changed my line of thinking. Never in my life did I think the group of forwards the Rangers assembled would be this good. They are a top scoring team and winning despite the blue line. Flags fly forever, and there are are only so many years left to get Henrik Lundqvist (and other career Rangers) a Cup. All eyes are now on Jeff Gorton and how to address the black hole that is the defense to get closer to that Cup.

Rumors are abound that the Rangers are heavily into Brendan Smith of Detroit and Kevin Shattenkirk of St. Louis. But there is a question about whether it’s one or both. Will the Rangers still go after Smith if they land Shatty? Will they trade for Smith if they don’t land Shatty? These are key questions.

But the reality of the situation is that the Rangers need to make both trades in order to truly contend. The left side of the defense can certainly hold its own, especially with the 1-2 punch of Ryan McDonagh and Brady Skjei. It’s the right side that is a train wreck and really holding the team back.

I theorized on Twitter that the Rangers could get Smith for a mid-round pick. Let’s say it’s a third round pick, similar to that of the Michael Stone trade. Determining Shatty’s value is significantly harder, but I can assure you he won’t fetch —nor will the Rangers trade— JT Miller. I’d venture a guess that it requires a good prospect (Ryan Gropp), a 1st round pick, and a roster player like Kevin Klein to help offset cap/roster space.

With both deals made, the Rangers can finally give McDonagh a true 1RD in Shatty. Smith may not chip in offensively like Holden and his inflated SH%, but he is significantly more consistent and a better skater/puck mover. That leaves Skjei and Girardi as the third pair. Holden would be the extra (healthy reminder that his goal scoring is overshadowing some major defensive issues), with Adam Clendening serving as the 8D. It’s a blue line Alain Vigneault can win with. Personally, I’d put in Clendo over Girardi, but we all know AV won’t do that. The pairs mentioned are simply optimal pairs knowing AV’s deployment style.

But therein lies a variable we can’t account for. Any success the Rangers have will be predicated on Kevin Klein being out of the lineup and Dan Girardi being moved off the top pair. But the trades themselves are things that can be done to perhaps force his hand. Again though, one trade won’t cut it. The Rangers need both trades to happen to truly compete this year.

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