If the Ben Harpur experiment over the last two games has shown us anything, it’s that the NY Rangers need another defenseman before they even consider acquiring another forward. The forward lines are still a work in progress with a “clear plan” in Gerard Gallant’s head. But with Harpur in the lineup the last two days, fans have been clamoring for Libor Hajek to be back in the lineup. That’s how bad it’s been with Harpur, and how good he makes Hajek look by comparison.
Harpur has been in because Gallant said he “liked his skating,” but let’s be real, this is Gallant just giving a reason to get Harpur minutes. It’s most likely to see what he has at the NHL level, which is clearly nothing. Over the last two games, Harpur has put together expected-goals shares of 20.33% and 38.38%, which are flat out terrible. He’s visibly slow and clearly dragging down Braden Schneider with him.
Worse is that the third pair’s role is expected to be lower event, safe defensive hockey. Yet in last night’s win, Harpur was on the ice for a whopping 28 shot attempts (17 for, 11 against), and of those 11 against, 5 were high danger chances. On Thursday night against Toronto, it was 24 shot attempts (6 for, 18 against), and again 5 high danger chances. Harpur is objectively worse than Hajek.
This is also consistent with what we’ve seen on the ice, where the Rangers get pinned with Harpur on the ice and concede many cross-ice passes or home plate shots against. There is no other way of putting this. Harpur shouldn’t be at the NHL level. It’s a little concerning he was given the recall over Zac Jones or Matthew Robertson, but that may be more about both kids still needing AHL time, Robertson in particular, as Jones has already had his chance.
NY Rangers need another defenseman
Given the lineup questions at forward, it’s clear the NY Rangers need another defenseman. Even if Hajek has been ok as a fill in, there’s room to not only upgrade, but put room between Harpur and regular minutes in the event of an injury. It doesn’t need to be, and shouldn’t be, a huge acquisition. But the Rangers need a 6D at the very least. Think someone like Justin Braun.
While a trade is the most likely path, the Rangers likely don’t even need to make one. There are objectively better defensemen than both Hajek and Harpur hitting waivers on a regular basis. It may not be the preferred route, but it would save a mid round pick to use in a later trade if needed.
With the clear need that the NY Rangers need another defenseman, it does seem like a matter of time until this happens. There’s no rush, as the Rangers are winning and Hajek is, for better or for worse, holding his own. The downside to Hajek is that he’s been wildly inconsistent, although he does fit the role of low-event hockey.
It’s tough to identify options for depth defensemen, because these trades usually come out of left field. The Rangers were scouting Vancouver the other day, so Luke Schenn or Kyle Burroughs might be options. Burroughs has better metrics, but Schenn screams “Drury pick.” This is where paying attention to where the Rangers scouts are might pay off.
Assuming any trade would be a cheap contract, there wouldn’t be many significant cap implications, since Harpur would just be waived. But it’s obvious the NY Rangers need another defenseman, and it’s becoming painfully obvious that they need to make a move soon. Hopefully Hajek can hold his own, but a more stable option while the Rangers are still securing a playoff spot would be better.
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