Dave Maloney
MSG Network analyst and former Rangers captain Dave Maloney breaks down the Blueshirts’ deadline and playoff push with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: What did you think of the Brendan Smith deal?
A: Is he on the (Kevin) Shattenkirk level? Probably not, but he’s a big body who can skate and moves really well and there’s some familiarity and comfort with being collegiate teammates with (Derek) Stepan and (Ryan) McDonagh. I remember Scotty Bowman once said you can never have too many bodies on the blue line. I am not sure if he’s reached where people thought he would be given he was a first-round pick, but he’ll help here.
Q: Was there anything else the Rangers should have accomplished at the deadline?
A: There’s some who would have liked to have seen a little more bulk up front. But no question the blue line was something all season long that the Rangers had to address. And now here we are, they’ve got their team, hopefully will get healthy and move forward.
Q: Is this team better positioned for a Stanley Cup run than a year ago?
A: No question. They’ve changed the way they play in their own end from a year ago and changed the makeup of their forwards. They have a lot more speed, skill and depth across the roster. It is a decidedly better team than they were a year ago.
Q: Should the Rangers have been more aggressive in pursuing Kevin Shattenkirk?
A: The Blues got what looked like the going price was going to be: a prospect and a couple of high picks. The Rangers just figured at some point you can’t keep continually giving away your firstround pick. Was Kevin Shattenkirk going to be the answer to deliver a Cup? I am not sure if that was the answer here, and you are going to have a shot at him in the spring when he becomes a free agent. Q: How will he help the Capitals? A: They won the deadline with that move. We watched them play against the Rangers on Tuesday night and that back-end group there, they have legitimately eight or nine NHL defenseman and it’s a very impressive first six that they put out. And Shattenkirk can nicely fit in there quietly and comfortably.