How many times has this organization given up on their young players for another journeyman? I don't think there is creditable personnel to help the youth in their system. There are kids who are floundering on the team's top farm team. And the beat goes on.
My take is this. We all knew MDZ would be dealt sooner or later, no shot we'd re-sign him this summer as I have been saying. Klein was obviously very well liked by the Preds at some point. No way you sign someone for 5 years if you don't like the player. I like that he is a right hand shot. Sounds to me like he is a solid, physical, stay at home dman. Something we have clearly needed. Now I do think we all would have expected more in return for MDZ at the start, but with that said this could be a good deal for us. Klein fits more of what we need IMO. Seems to me like Klein struggled this season and that is why we were able to make this deal. Klein has played around 20 mpg each of the past 4 seasons. If he comes here and keeps his game simple and plays a strong physical game I think this trade could work out really well for us. I get the people who say really after all this back and forth and waiting on DZ this is the deal we make...I get that. But this trade could work out well for us, and DZ was gone, no way he was back after this season. We got a righty dman, who has ability, is physical, and clearly was a big part of the Preds plans until this season. So let's see how he plays for us.
The Rangers acquired Kevin Klein in exchange for Michael Del Zotto. Klein is 6-1, 200lbs, a right shot defenseman and a veteran of 403 games, all with the Nashville Predators. He is in the first-year of a FIVE-YEAR deal worth $2.9 million per season. The Hockey News says that Klein is a “solid, versatile but inconsistent defenseman.” -“Rangers have been looking for a right shot d-man for awhile. Vigneault’s influence also a factor from Canuck days facing the Preds.” (Darren Dreger) -“NYR get reliable RS defender in Klein, with attractive cost certainty ($2.9M per thru to2018). Also, insulation if Girardi goes to UFA.” (Bob McKenzie) Against Alain Vigneault’s Canucks in the 2011 playoffs, Klein averaged 20 minutes per game and was a plus one. Since 2009-10, Klein has played 19:55 (09-10), 20:48 (10-11), 19:56 (11-12), 20:25 (12-13), 18:48 (13-14) per game. Klein has 16 goals and 66 assists in his career, with a season high of 4 goals and 17 assists in 11-12. Predators GM David Poile, in the release about Klein’s extension, “Kevin Klein embodies the Predators way – the culture and belief system we have worked hard to create. He was drafted and developed by the team, has become an integral part of our defensive corps, and is committed to being a part of our long-term success.” Klein, last season, was a key penalty killer for the Predators and was expected to “anchor” the team’s second defense pair for years to come. (Josh Cooper) Hockey Forecaster, in their season preview issue, writes of Klein “In 2013, the reliable blueliner was second on the team in blocked shots (89) behind Shea Weber and was Nashville’s top penalty killer. In fact, Klein led the Preds in shorthanded ice time by a wide margin. His value to his team is underrated and goaltenders love playing behind him. Klein is an unsung hero if there ever was one.” Klein played with Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi on the 2003-04 Guelph Storm. He also played with former Rangers such as Jed Ortmeyer, Matt Cullen and Jan Hlavac in his career. According to Extra Skater, Klein has been on the ice for 571 shot attempts for and 726 against this season on the Predators third pair behind Shea Weber and Seth Jones.
I thought MDZ was unfairly criticized as well but he's gone so it's time to move on. Klein has a few fights on YouTube where he seems to handle himself well, if he plays a physical game he's an upgrade to MDZ who may be more offensively skilled but couldn't get it going here. The Rangers could have used more toughness last night.
That's the key panzer. If Klein plays with a physical edge to his game, like he has the past few seasons, this could be a very good deal for us. He adds what we need way more than what MDZ did. This is a guy who played 20 mpg the past few seasons as a top 4 dman for the Preds. They signed him for 5 years for a reason. That all speaks well to Klein. And the fact that he is signed for 4 more seasons at under 3 mill per is a big plus when you consider MDZ was gone this summer.
I had to laugh when Al was criticizing our defenseman picks. Sauer and Staal were basically two the best defensive defenseman in the league before their injuries. Del Zotto had two very good NHL seasons as an very young player. McIlrath should be here soon and Skjei is looking like a top prospect. They had one bust. Sanguinetti. Gimme a break. There are tons of NHL teams that can't produce half of those defenseman with their picks. Not to mention the Rangers eye for picking up undrafted NHL defenseman or trading for young defenseman like Erixon and Girardi. As I said earlier in this thread. This deal opens up a lot of options. Stralman now becomes a guy that can be packaged. You could put McIlrath or Allen on the bottom pair with Moore.
I think criticism for two recent first round draft picks no longer on the team picked right after each other says a lot. First round picks. And I gave credit for the staal and Sauer picks except you blew past that part. Dylan is a project..not something you want or need as a first round pick. Erixon forced his way here...he was a gift not a genius ploy by our drafting department. But yeah lets be greatfull for all these wonderful picks. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
Yes, Klein can fight. And yes, strength/toughness is needed on Ranger D. Now, can he move puck out of Ranger D zone, + - ratio, turnovers Are other moves in the works? You get the feeling Mr. Sather is itching?
At least now with DZ gone they can figure out what other parts can fit into any deal for a forward. I still say Hemsky for a prospect/pick could help short term without giving up too much.
In ESPN's story on the trade AV said he was down on MDZ in November which begs the question why the hell did it take Glen two months to make a deal? MDZ surely would have had more value, too early to evaluate what Klein adds to the team but I think trading MDZ in November would have brought more back.
There were times when he was unfairly criticized, and there were times when he was fairly criticized. He's been playing much better of late, but I think they just felt like they had no chance to resign him, so now was as good as any to trade him. I hope he does well, and turns into the player we thought he would be.
If the Rangers see a decrease in opposing players camping out in front of the net, then it's a good deal. I wish MDZ luck, because he is a good hockey player, he just needed a fresh start.
