Top 5 New York Rangers Defenseman On Current Roster

Top 5 New York Rangers Defenseman - On Current Roster

As a New York Rangers fan myself, it is pretty easy for me to say who the team's best defenseman is since he is in the picture right above this paragraph.

No, it is not Steve Eminger, but the one and only, All-Star and former Vezina trophy winner, Henrik Lundqvist. But he is a goalie and since goaltenders are technically not considered to be a defenseman, Lundqvist is not on this list. Neither is Eminger. Sorry for the spoiler, but I doubt you thought Eminger would appear on this list.

Last season, the Rangers' defense struggled at times, blowing their coverages and letting Lundqvist face way too many shots. Even though he's arguably the best goalie in the NHL, he could not stop them all. However, wouldn't that happen to you if the majority of play was in your own zone and your team can’t generate any offense? Of course it would. Defenseman are human after all, and that was the case for the Rangers' blue-liners most of last season. Now not all the blame should be put on the coaching staff, but not all of it should be put on the players either.

I'm sure some of you are asking, "so why in the world are you ranking the Rangers' top five defenseman when every team, including the Rangers, only dresses six per game?"

Well, my reasoning is that someone has to, so why not me? Also, someone has to be the best out of the five. Click next and find out who.

5. Michael Del Zotto

There has been so much hate towards this man over the past few seasons, and while some of it was well deserved, some of it was not. Michael Del Zotto is an offensive defenseman who is still very young at age 23, and he's someone who needs to be put in the right system to succeed. He could get that now with new head coach Alain Vigneault at the helm. If not, then you can scratch him off this list.

4. John Moore

John Moore, only 22 years old, showed flashes of Ryan McDonagh in his play and even looks a little like him too. Moore showed last season that he can defend after coming over from the Columbus Blue Jackets at the trade deadline. He also provided some offense that should continue to develop and improve this upcoming season, for the same reasons Del Zotto should improve.

3. Dan Girardi

Dan Girardi had a very up-and-down year last season in my opinion. He looked like the Girardi of two years ago in some games and then he looked inexplicably lost in others, missing assignments and losing his man. Regardless, he has proved over the years that he is the Rangers' third-best defenseman, and I look for him to have a better season in 2013-14.

2. Marc Staal

Marc Staal, for many years, was the Rangers' best defenseman, but won't be anymore. Of course, his presence for most of last season was greatly missed. The defense was definitely not as tight as it usually is with Staal in the lineup, but his health is still of big concern. His concussions, eye injury and his ability to stay on the ice the past few years cost him the top spot on this list.

1. Ryan McDonagh

The Rangers' no. 1 defenseman on their current roster is none other than Ryan McDonagh. His ability to become just as good a shutdown defender as Staal with better offensive upside has earned him the top spot. Not to mention, he is only 24 and continuing to improve every single day. He could one day be a Norris Trophy contender for years to come.

Steven Carollo is a New York Rangers’ and sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, and join his Google network.