Mr. Smith Comes to New York (also another minor Ranger deal)

So, first things first.  The Rangers made a minor deal just now....AHL defenseman Mat Bodie to Buffalo for forward Dan Catenacci.   This is strictly a minor league deal to benefit Hartford.  Bodie was a free agent signed out of Union College who was a leader for the Wolf Pack.  Catenacci is a career minor leaguer who couldn't make the Buffalo Sabres (what does THAT tell you).   In another deal, ex-Ranger Viktor Stalberg is now an Ottawa Senator, traded from Carolina for a third round draft pick.  More to come I'm sure.

What did we get?

The Brendan Smith acquisition is now official.  He goes from the Detroit Red Wings to the Rangers in exchange for a 2017 third round draft pick and a 2018 second round draft pick (from Ottawa in the Brassard trade).   Though Smith is an UFA after this season, there are reports that the Rangers are already talking extension with him.  He made $2.75 million this season in Detroit.

Smith was a first round pick by Detroit in 2007 (#27 overall).  He is a lefthanded shot, but can play both sides.  He has been described as a mobile defenseman with an "edge." This season he has had some injuries limiting him to 33 game and he has two goals and three assists. He averages 18 minutes of ice time per game. His advanced stats have always been good....with his worst Corsi For percentage at 50.  In fact,  he ranks sixth in even-strength shot percentage among all defensemen who have played at least 2,500 minutes in the last three seasons (thanks to TSN.ca for that stat).  In the trivia department, he played on the same Wisconsin Badgers team as Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan.   He was drafted the same season as McDonagh (#12) and ironically, Kevin Shattenkirk (#14).

He will be a defensive  improvement for the Rangers and should also help the power play.  The key question is who will be replaced (barring more trades).  He will not play tonight as he was with Detroit in Vancouver and it is doubtful he can get to MSG in time for the game.  Shattenkirk WILL suit up for the Washington Capitals.  Late news also that Dan Girardi is out of action for ten days to two weeks with an ankle injury.  With Kevin Klein also sidelined with back issues, that means Adam Clendening will play as will minor league call-up Steven Kampfer who came over in the Dylan McIlrath trade earlier this season.

Brendan, not Kevin

Inevitably there will be questions about trading for Smith instead of Shattenkirk.  Two second rounders for Smith vs. a first and a possible second round pick for Shattenkirk (a depth forward went to St. Louis in exchange for a depth goalie).   Anyone who has been reading these posts know how I feel about rolling the dice and going for it...I believe in going for it.  The bottom line is the Rangers would be in a better position with Shattenkirk as a rental than with Smith, especially when you consider that Shattenkirk wouldn't be a Washington Capital, Boston Bruin or Pittsburgh Penguin.   It's as much who he is not playing for as much as his being a Ranger.

There are some interesting names still out there...but it is doubtful that the Blueshirts will be in the mix.  Watch Brandon Pirri tonight...it could be his last game as a Ranger.