NHL Trade Rumors: Should The New York Rangers Beef Up On Defense?
Editor's Note: OK, we've officially overloaded the Rick Nash stories, and I apologize. In an attempt to keep up to date with his situation we waterlogged you guys, which was not my intent. So to take our minds off you know who, this is a story that was supposed to run tomorrow, but I'll run it tonight so we don't have to think about Mr. Nash.
Last week Brandon wrote an article against the New York Rangers making a move for a veteran defenseman. But with the NHL trade deadline rapidly approaching it's becoming more and more evident that Michael Sauer might not be suiting up anytime soon, or even this season.
Monday afternoon Jim Cerny tweeted that he had no updates on Sauer's condition as of yet. Sauer remains out indefinitely with concussion symptoms.
You don't need me to tell you how important defense is in the playoffs, especially for a team that sometimes has a hard time putting the puck into the back of the net. The Rangers do have depth at defense, something that made John Tortorella call the defense a "healthy situation." But is it enough?
Join me after the jump for more.
I think we all can agree that Marc Staal isn't where he was pre-concussion, although he is still averaging 18 minutes a night. Both Michael Del Zotto and Anton Stralman have made significant strides and have become important cogs in the Rangers' defense, while Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh have been monsters all season.
The Rangers also have Steve Eminger and Jeff Woywitka in the wings.
So why beef up the defense you ask?
Remember the feeling when McDonagh went down against the Washington Capitals after scoring a goal? Maybe that's a reason to at least consider making a move for a veteran defenseman.
The Rangers do have defensive depth, but how much of that depth would you be comfortable with in the playoffs? Especially if Sauer is out the rest of the season. What if Girardi wears down from his increased workload all year? What if Del Zotto, Stralman and McDonagh don't handle the playoffs as well if they handled the regular season?
Those are questions that should at least make you think about adding some veteran depth at defense. Then again, if Sauer is closer to being back then we think, or if every defenseman available is overpriced (which will most likely be the case) then it's certianly not worth making a big splash.
But if the Rangers can make a cheap move for a veteran defenseman then shouldn't it at least be worth a look?
Thoughts?
