Rangers Dump Stoll, Sit Girardi & Call Up Brady Skjei To Make His NHL Debut Tonight

After an abysmal trip to Western Canada, the Rangers will take the ice looking a little different than usual. Dan Girardi joins Klein & Stepan on the injured list with a swollen knee (although after the way he’s played lately that’s probably just an excuse). Jarrett Stoll was let go (and subsequently scooped by Minnesota who will face NY Thursday) & the removal of his $800k from the books made room for prized prospect Brady Skjei to debut on the big stage. Tonight at MSG the Blueshirts will have their last 4 first round picks (Kreider, McIlrath, JT & Skjei) on the ice together, but don’t expect it to last too long. As soon as Klein or G are ready to go, which could be by the end of the week, Brady goes back to the Pack.
Still, there’s reason to be excited over this kid’s debut. Skjei’s got the size/reach of Staal & has been touted as a “McDonagh-lite”. While he might not have the 40-point potential of the Rangers captain, he can skate with the best of ‘em. He’s projected to be a puck-moving, shutdown defender & fans will get a glimpse of his skill set against the talented Oilers forwards who put up a 7-spot on NY just 4 days ago. McDonagh will slide to the right with Staal as his partner on the top pair while matchups & game flow will dictate how AV rolls the other four.
Coming into this season, it was hard to argue the Blueshirts had one of the deepest defensive corps. Despite Girardi’s complete freefall from mediocrity, the emergence of McIlrath & Brady Skjei next in line keep them right there. Considering the team’s cap constraints & commitments to #27 and #18, don’t be surprised if Skjei is the reason Yandle is playing elsewhere next season…or sooner.