Ryan McDonagh is putting himself in discussions as the best defenceman in the NHL this season.
Considered a “throw-in” piece of a seven-player trade in 2009 – involving Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto for Chris Higgins, the Rangers first round draft pick Ryan McDonagh, Pavel Valentenko and the rights to Doug Janik – McDonagh is currently finishing a breakout season for The New York Rangers.
It has taken four years in the NHL for the Twin City, Minnesota native to reach his potential of being draft in the first round [12th overall in 2007]. This year he has scored 14 goals (tied for 5th for among defenceman), 29 assists and is plus eleven on the year. Of those 14 goals, two have come on the man advantage, three shorthanded and four game winners.
Regardless of his offensive breakout, the 6’1 d-man is counted on his contribution to shutdown opposing team’s best players. He plays against the league’s top forwards every single night averaging 24:47 minutes a game, which is 13th overall in the league. He is also second in blocked shots on the team with 126.
“Ryan McDonagh has just been a force out there,” said Vigneault. “He’s got to get consideration for the Norris”
His game is complete. He skates well, sees the ice like play makers in the league and is rarely caught out of position.
The Norris Trophy is awarded to the defenceman “who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position”, sounds a lot like Ryan McDonagh. In spite of this, the past few seasons the Norris has been given to defenceman who are more offensive-minded such as: Erik Karlsson and PK Subban.
The coaching staff isn’t the only one in the Rangers organization that thinks the former University of Wisconsin standout is a Norris Trophy consideration. The praise he is receiving from teammate’s shows you how valuable he is to the Blueshirts success this season.
“He’s been lights-out all year,” said fellow blue-liner Marc Staal, who is one of the NHL’s top defensive defencemen. “It seems like everything he touches turns to gold right now.”
The 24-year-old’s game has evolved so much over this season that it is forcing people around the league to put McDonagh and Norris in the same sentence. No one has a better view of the breakout defenceman than goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who happens to be a former Vezina Trophy winner.
“He’s amazing right now to watch,” said Lundqvist. “He’s such a good skater and you can see he’s so confident.”
“He’s playing against the top line, he’s defending extremely well,” said head coach Alain Vigneault. “When he gets the opportunity to go on the offence like he did tonight he does. He’s been obviously one of our best players this year.”
Confident accurately describes McDonagh this season. The goal he scored against the Flyers was a goal scorer’s goal: a quick wrister top-shelf just outside the top of the circles beating Steve Mason clean. He has been able to find open ice all season, something that lead him to scoring the overtime winner against the Phoenix Coyotes the game before.
The Rangers knew what he had when he acquired McDonagh from Montreal. He found himself in a top role on the American Olympic squad this year in Sochi, Russia as he has made huge strides this year. He should be the player who the Rangers will build their team around and the player who will fill the void of the vacant captaincy moving forward.
“Since I’ve been here you could see how much better he’s been getting,” said veteran forward Brad Richards. “I think this is a growth you would have seen eventually no matter what…
“It happened this year with some of the responsibility he’s been given and that’s how hockey works: you take it and run with it.”
Although he might not get a Norris nomination this season, he will in the near future and is certainly making a strong case this year. Ranger fans should be excited, he is that good.
Notes: If you haven’t already, pick him up on your fantasy squad or trade for him for next season. Over the last 13 games McDonagh has posted (13-6-7-13, plus-7, 18 PIM, 39 SOG)
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