Brandon Prust: Just What the New York Rangers Needed

It has been just over a year since last year’s NHL trade deadline. Who would have thought the best part of the trade between the New York Rangers and Calgary would have been the throw in player Brandon Prust? In that deal the Rangers acquired Prust along with aging center man Olli Jokinen. Since that trade Brandon Prust has made his impact on Broadway and became an instant fan favorite. 

What’s not to love about Brandon Prust? He is an energetic, motivated, physical individual who is a catalyst and spark plug that can get the Rangers going. Whether it is a simple body check of leading a 2-on-1 on the penalty kill Prust has the ability to be a game-changer for the better.

This season Prust is tied for the league lead with five shorthanded goals. What make Prust different than most grinders is his discipline. So far through 75 games played, Prust has only 140 penalty minutes.

Prust rarely takes a penalty. The majority of his penalties are fighting majors. Prust knows when to fight and when to keep the gloves on. He sticks up for his teammates and sends a message to the opposing team that if they mess with one of his brothers that they will feel his wrath.

Throughout the course of the NHL season Brandon Prust has gotten the Rangers out of a rut on many occasions. The most recent was in last night’s shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators. Marc Staal had been tripped early in the third period and maintained control of the puck. Staal then passed the puck to Prust who busted out and scored the Rangers lone goal.

Coincidentally, this game also was the fourth consecutive game that Sean Avery had been a healthy scratch. The question that is on the most fans minds is, has Sean Avery become dispensable? 

Sean Avery did exactly what Brandon Prust is doing now when he first came to the Rangers. He leaped into the hearts of the Garden faithful when he became a permanent pest to New Jersey Devils’ netminder Marty Brodeur. The pestering was so heinous that the NHL had to make an amendment to the rule book which has been affectionately come to be known as the Avery rule. 

Avery may be a gifted skater and another catalyst for scoring but he severely lacks discipline. Many remember the “candid” comments Avery made about past girlfriends that got him sent to sensitivity counseling a few years ago. It is this quick temper and impulsive nature that often gets Avery into trouble. If Avery gets rubbed the wrong way by an opposing player he can’t seem to let it go.

During the course of a Avery’s last game against the Islanders he took stupid penalties in a game the Rangers were clearly dominating. It was one of his penalties which allowed John Taveras to score a power play goal and allowed the Islanders to get back in the game.

When you take the two players and put them side by side here is the tale of the tape. 

Brandon Prust	Stats	Sean Avery
27	Age	30
6 “ 2	Height	5”11
192	Weight	195
436	Career Penalty Minutes	1,502
18	Goals	87
26	Assists	157
44	Points	244
190	Games Played	559

While Avery may have a better offensive skill set what good can he do for his team when he spends an inordinate amount of time in the penalty box. What is visible to the critics, the fans, and the coaches is Brandon Prust is earning his stripes and respect among his peers. It is crystal clear that there is indeed a new sheriff in this one horse town and his name is Brandon Prust.

Comments, questions, concerns? 

For more Rangers updates follow Tom Urtz on twitter @SH_TomUrtzNYR for updates, news, and rumors regarding the Rangers.

Also check out why Henrik Lundqvist is considered to be a sleeper candidate to win the prestigious Vezina Trophy.