NHL 2011-12 Preview: Projected Defensive Pairings for the New York Rangers

Yesterday, I took a look at the New York Rangers roster and predicted which forwards would make the team come opening night, and which line they would play on. Today, we will take a look at the defensive pairings that could skate for the Rangers come opening night.

First Pairing

Marc Staal and Dan Girardi

This pairing is the most obvious of all the defensemen on the Rangers roster. Marc Staal is an All-Star defenseman and Dan Girardi is on the way to becoming an All-Star. The chemistry these two defensemen have gained over the last couple of years is remarkable. You would be hard pressed to find a pair of defensemen that were together in the AHL, and then made the jump to the NHL, and have played at a high-octane level.

Staal could enter the elite tier of defensemen that includes Shea Weber, Nicklas Lidstrom and Keith Yandle if he could incorporate some offense into his game. Staal has shown some glimmers of offensive ability but he has lacked consistency in that element of his game.

Girardi, on the other hand, is a total workhorse and soldier. He puts his body on the line night after night, no questions asked. He is always in the upper tier statistically when it comes to blocking shots. His style of game could shorten his career but he is starting to mature and is learning how to properly position himself when attempting to block a shot.

In turn, this pairing is a very effective one and there is a 99.9 percent chance that this will be the top pairing come opening night.

Second Pairing

Ryan McDonagh and Michael Sauer

This pairing came together last year by pure happenstance. Michael Sauer made the team out of training camp and impressed many people early. He is a big-bodied defenseman who could develop his shot and be an effective power play quarterback. Last season, Sauer was a plus-20, which is very impressive for a rookie defenseman. Sauer also developed almost instant chemistry with Ryan McDonagh.

McDonagh was a fresh-faced defenseman and former teammate of rookie sensation Derek Stepan back in Wisconsin. McDonagh early on showed that he was confident, prepared, and defensively sound. During key moments in the season, McDonagh was often the go-to guy when Girardi or Staal needed a break while killing a penalty.

As the year went on, the tandem of Sauer and McDonagh even earned some ice time against top forwards Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Daniel and Henrik Sedin,  and countless others.

This paring will continue to grow this season and the coaching staff as well as the fans, all hope they can be as effective as Girardi and Staal.

Third Pairing

Tim Erixon and Michael Del Zotto

This pairing will be the wild card for the New York Rangers. No matter how you slice it, a young defenseman will play on this line with the potential of two occupying spots.

Tim Erixon was the top defensive prospect of the Calgary Flames. He was acquired in a trade that involved swapping draft picks, and he was a major pickup for the Rangers. He is the son of former Ranger Jan Erixon so he has Ranger blood in his veins. 

He is a defenseman who shows great promise and many hope he can make the team out of training camp.

Michael Del Zotto had a good rookie season, a sub par sophomore season, and is looking to redeem himself. There is doubt that the coaching staff would love to see Del Zotto work with Richards on the power play as it is assumed that they would complement each other.

Del Zotto has shown he can contribute offensively but he was often caught vulnerable in his defensive zone and when defending odd man rushes. Hopefully the additional AHL seasoning has paid off for Del Zotto and the Rangers.

Seventh Man

Steve Eminger

Steve Eminger is a veteran defenseman who did well with the Rangers last year. He brought experience to the table and was a good sounding board for the rookies on the team. At first, he will be the seventh man because the coaching staff will want to see what Del Zotto and Erixon can do. 

At any point, if a rookie defenseman falters, Eminger will be instantly reinserted back into the lineup.

At the end of the day, the Rangers are a great defensive team. They were sixth overall in the NHL in overall goals allowed. This was a result of the superb play of their defenders and their ultimate defender, Henrik Lundqvist.

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Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist and New York Rangers Featured Columnist,

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