Ryan McDonagh upbeat about summer moves made by Rangers

Jim Cerny

Ryan McDonagh upbeat about summer moves made by Rangers image

Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh has been around long enough to understand that change is inevitable for every organization each and every year. Yet even he had to admit Friday that the Blueshirts' moves this off-season made an impact on him, both on a personal level and a professional one.

This summer the Rangers made three significant moves, buying out the contract of veteran defenseman Dan Girardi, trading their top center Derek Stepan to the Coyotes along with backup goaltender Antti Raanta, and signing marquee free agent defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to a four-year contract.

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"These were definitely some tough decisions, guys that made a big impact on our team over the years, and it's sad to see those guys leave, but I'm excited Shatty decided to come here," said McDonagh, who was at Citi Field to promote the Rangers-Sabres 2018 Winter Classic contest on Jan. 1.

To this point, McDonagh played most of his career with Girardi as his defensive partner, right up through the Rangers' second-round playoff loss to the Senators last spring. He has spoken for years about all that he learned from Girardi, and how he benefited from playing alongside the rugged stay-at-home defenseman.

"Certainly playing with Dan, and learning from him right from being a rookie, was a pleasure," McDonagh said of the 33-year-old Girardi, who signed a two-year contract with the Lightning in July.

 

Despite the close relationship McDonagh shared with Girardi, it pales in comparison to the one he has with Stepan. The two Minnesota natives played against one another in high school before becoming college teammates at the University of Wisconsin and NHL 'mates with the Rangers. Each was in the other's wedding party; and the pair continued to train together this summer even after Stepan was dealt to the Coyotes.

"When he got his Coyotes gear, it was just weird to see him put that stuff on in the summer skates, and not the Rangers stuff," McDonagh told Sporting News. "You don't know what it's really going to be like not to have him here until you get in the locker room and not see him across the way. At this point in our careers, Step and I both understand the situation, and he'll be a big part of that team's success, but it's still going to be weird not having him here."

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There's no doubt McDonagh will miss his two close friends, guys he reached three conference finals, and the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, with. However, what will help the 28-year-old two-time all star turn the page is the arrival of Shattenkirk, one of the league's top offensive defensemen, coming off a career-best 56 points a year ago.

Shattenkirk was the prize of this past summer's free agent class, and the Rangers not only nabbed the New York native, they got him at their term and price. And one of the reasons why Shattenkirk agreed to come home to New York was the opportunity to play with McDonagh on the blue line.

 

"It certainly is an honor to hear him say that," offered McDonagh. "I'm sure we're going to be on the ice at some point together, and I think it's going to be great. He really wanted to come here and be a part of a really successful team here in New York, and his game speaks for itself -- so good with the puck, so smart at anticipating his next move, so he makes things look effortless.

"I just think the statement he made, the message he sent, that he wanted to play here so bad..when a guy does that, you know he's going to perform. He's a great talent on the ice and a great guy off the ice."

Now that he's had time to digest these major off-season moves, how does McDonagh feel about the 2017-18 Rangers?

"I'm just really excited. To make those tough decisions, it shows that the organization is not willing to accept mediocre and that we're still trying to achieve the main goal and win the whole thing."

Jim Cerny