Posts About "Brendan Smith"
By the Numbers: The Scariest 2019-20 Advanced Stats Players
October 31st, 2020 It's officially Halloween and though it might look different this year — much like how the 2019-20 NHL season and playoffs were different because of COVID-19 — one thing that remains the same is that people like a good scare. Unless you're somebody who works in advanced stats or analytics, and if that is the case, you might want...
Dual-Role Players? Defencemen as Wingers Show It Can Be Done
January 13th, 2020 Brendan Smith caught his breath for a few seconds on the bench before New York Rangers coach David Quinn called his name again. Smith had just skated a shift as a defenceman and was needed at forward, too. The natural defenceman hopped over the boards and got back on the ice at a different position. “The more I do it, I get more...
3 Rangers Who Will Be Disappointing in 2019-20
October 1st, 2019 The New York Rangers, as well as the rest of the National Hockey League, will be getting underway in just a few days. There is a lot of hope and hype with this seemingly brand new team, and expectations have not been higher. But, with all of that hope being on a bunch of young players and very few experienced veterans, it leaves...
How Does Trouba's Arrival Change Rangers' Lineup?
June 19th, 2019 The New York Rangers acquired another piece to the puzzle that they've been eyeing for quite some time. In exchange for defenseman Neal Pionk and the 20th overall pick in Friday's NHL Entry Draft, the Winnipeg Jets decided to end Jacob Trouba's tumultuous tenure with the Winnipeg Jets. This acquisition may dramatically change the...
Rangers' Defense Depth Offers Tantalizing Trade Options
June 12th, 2019 What an offseason it's been for the New York Rangers. First, they won the second-overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft Lottery, then fan-favorite, John Davidson, returned home to replace Glen Sather as the new caretaker of the franchise. Armed with blue line depth and ample salary cap space, the Rangers are ready to make a splash...
Predicting Rangers Opening Night Defense
May 22nd, 2019 The 2019 NHL Entry Draft is about a month away, signaling the period during which next season's rosters will begin to take shape. For the New York Rangers, this draft is not likely to contain any players that would suit up on defense for them next season. When the Rangers rebuild began at the 2018 trade deadline, general manager,...
Rangers Buying Out Their Defense Could Lead to Regret
January 29th, 2019 So far, the New York Rangers have been passing the "patience test" during their rebuild. No impulsive big-name free-agent signings or quick-fix trades. No rushing youngsters in the minors who aren't ready for the NHL level. Just a steady, gradual approach to the process of properly laying a foundation for the future - one...
What Should the Rangers Do With Smith?
January 29th, 2019 The New York Rangers will have a very important decision to make regarding defenseman Brendan Smith. Smith’s defensive troubles are persistent and are often a primary cause of the team’s defensive woes. He was acquired by the Rangers before the 2017 Trade Deadline in exchange for two draft picks. The team went on to make the...
Rangers' Smith Has His Snarl Back
October 27th, 2018 The Brendan Smith of 2016-17 disappeared last season but he has returned to the New York Rangers' lineup in the early going of 2018-19. The Smith that played with an edge and emotion after being acquired from the Detroit Red Wings at the 2017 trade deadline; the player that the Blueshirts fell in love with and gave a...
Rangers Veteran 'D' Need a Short Leash
May 12th, 2018 With a new coach to be hired and a commitment from the New York Rangers organization to change the culture and stylistic approach on the ice, every player still wearing a Blueshirt in 2018-19 will be on notice. No one should understand that better than the team's veteran defensemen. This club on the rebuild has, so far, given every...
Rangers Woeful Defense Requires Summer Boost
April 26th, 2018 With a record of 34-39-9 - last in the Metropolitan Division - it’s fair to say that not much went right for the 2017-18 New York Rangers. Their catastrophic season, marred by injuries and torpedoed by poor performances by key players, had so much that went wrong to hide the critical flaws in their foundation any longer. Among their...
Rangers Options With Smith Aren't Good
March 23rd, 2018 A quick flashback to April 20, 2017. Game 5 of the first-round playoff series between the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens: Blueshirts defenseman Brendan Smith, engaged in a tough battle in front of the net with Canadiens forward Andrew Shaw as the Habs repeatedly crashed the goalmouth in front of Henrik Lundqvist. Smith drops...
Brendan Smith Remains a Question Mark
November 15th, 2017 Brendan Smith has not played a game in the month of November for the New York Rangers. It is not an injury or illness or even a personal leave that has left him out of the lineup. It is his poor play. The Rangers signed him to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.35 million each year. In theory, that sort of investment...
