With Girardi Day-to-Day, Rangers Call Up Brady Skjei

Brady Skjei

Dan Girardi has been ruled day-to-day with knee swelling which meant the Rangers needed to call up a defenseman. In steps Brady Skjei, a 21-year-old, 6-foot three-inch, 215-pound defenseman who many tout as the next great Rangers defensive star. He makes his debut tonight against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden.

We got to see a little bit of his game in the pre-season but his work in Hartford in the AHL has only continued to prove why he needs to be in the NHL. In 27 games with the Wolf Pack, Skjei has two goals and nine assists, tying him for fourth on the team in the assist category.

The Rangers could certainly use the offense as they’ve been struggling to put up goals of late. In three of their last six games, the Rangers have scored only one goal and they’ve lost seven out of their last nine games. It is the opportune time for the team to have made this switch.

Lately, Girardi had been struggling mightily for the Rangers, finding himself a step behind or out of position a lot. This change in the lineup introduces a good, strong, young defenseman with speed and offensive ability that could prove to jumpstart the team when they need it the most.

Interestingly, Skjei will also become the first ever New York Ranger to wear number 76 on the back of his jersey. Whether he can achieve the type of success that another 76 wearing defenseman in Montreal wears — P.K. Subban — is yet to be seen, but nonetheless, it is an exciting night for the New York Rangers. It’s the team’s chance to see a big piece of the future make his debut and the hope is he helps start a winning streak.