Over the weekend, another big name hit the trade rumor mill, as John Klingberg reportedly requested out of Dallas. Almost instantly Ranger fans across the board were ponying up their own trade proposals to land the right handed defenseman. However for the Rangers, John Klingberg is not the answer they are looking for. Even though they are in the market for a veteran defenseman, he’s just not the right fit.

Defensive liability

Let’s get the big thing out of the way: John Klingberg is a solid powerplay producer. He moves the puck well, and his overall impact on the powerplay is a significant net positive. That said, he’s been relatively poor at even strength defense, and has been wildly inconsistent in play driving the last three years.

What we see from Klingberg is a general inability to limit quality and quantity against. The offensive numbers are pretty find, albeit with a blip last year. The last two even strength bars, the deep red this year, are the primary point of focus though. He’s been struggling all year with limiting quality and quantity against, and it continues to be a problem even from three seasons ago. It’s just not a part of his game, which is absolutely fine.

Don’t read “defensively liability” to mean “bad player.” Klingberg is exceptional on the powerplay and drives offense. He’s a puck moving defenseman, one of the better ones in the game. Most teams would benefit from having him. However for the Rangers, John Klingberg isn’t the answer.

Not the right fit

What exactly are the Rangers looking for in a veteran defenseman?

Well, if the rumors are true, they want a bottom pair, steady defenseman that can hold his own in the defensive end, allowing Nils Lundkvist to make mistakes and learn without fear of the puck being in the back of his net. They are basically looking for Patrik Nemeth, but without the issues he’s had while on the Rangers.

Nemeth aside for a second, since the signing was good in theory, just hasn’t worked out for a bit, the Rangers want someone who can either replace Nemeth on the bottom pair, or serve as a 7D upgrade from Jarred Tinordi and Libor Hajek. The key is steady in their own end, and doesn’t come with a big price tag.

Klingberg’s $4.25 million price tag is certainly affordable, and he’s a UFA at the end of the year. But the cost to acquire will be up there, as he’s shaping up to be the premier defense rental at the deadline. The assets the Rangers would use to acquire him, or Jakob Chychrun for that matter, are likely better spent addressing the forward needs.

So if Klingberg is not only expensive, but not the kind of guy they are looking for, why bother? This has shiny new toy syndrome written all over it. I expect to hear the Rangers tied to him, at least from a kicking the tires perspective, but in the end, I think this just isn’t the right fit.

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