Joe Micheletti
MSG Network analyst Joe Micheletti talks the Rangers season, their two first-round picks, and what it’ll take to make a deeper run in the postseason with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: How important was the Kevin Shattenkirk signing?
A: When you look at his career and how it’s evolved, the first thing to me that stands out is his prowess on the power play. That’s something when you look around the league, there aren’t a lot of players who run a power play like him. I don’t think the Rangers have had anybody at that level, maybe going back to Brian Leetch.
Q: Are you worried about the center position after the Derek Stepan trade?
A: There were really some questions coming in as to who would be that third or fourth center, but there’s really been a battle this camp and preseason. These two kids who they drafted (Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil) are both going to be really good players. Ready yet? I think they have shown more than people expected and will be good players in the near future.
Q: What has impressed you about each player?
A: Chytil (who remains on the roster) to me is a more dynamic player. I think back a week or so ago I was watching practice and Chris Kreider came off the ice and bumped me and said, “How about that silkiness?” He’s impressing his teammates; a graceful skater, speed, can shoot the puck and has vision. Andersson (who was returned to Sweden) is the type of player who could do a lot of things. He doesn’t mind the rough stuff, mature beyond his years both physically and mentally.
Q: What will have to happen for this team to take the next step?
A: It starts with Henrik (Lundqvist). He’s 35 and there’s a lot of talk about that, but this is one of the greatest athletes that New York has ever seen. He’s got one thing on his mind and he’s so focused. I still have a great deal of confidence in him to lead the team from back there. This team has a lot of depth. We haven’t talked about Jimmy Vesey. He showed so much mettle and confidence in the playoffs last year. When it was on the line in the playoffs and he had to find a way to be better, those are the kind of players you look for.
Q: Did you think the Jordan Eberle trade helps bring the Islanders back to playoffs?
A: I like what Garth (Snow) did because he knew he had to try a few more players to play with John Tavares. I did a lot of Eberle’s playoff games last year, and he was criticized a lot for his lack of production in the playoffs. But if you look at his record throughout his career, it’s been really good, and that was his first playoffs. That experience will help him. This could be a good team.