Peter Laviolette and the New York Rangers on the verge of losing one of these two defensemen
The New York Rangers are faced with a major challenge as Ryan Lindgren is healthy and back in the lineup for the Rangers, creating a bit of a conundrum.
The team has to make daily decisions on who will slot into the lineup in the sixth defensive spot.
That usually means alternating between Zac Jones, and rookie Victor Mancini. Mancini has played a total of nine games this season, while Jones has only played six.
This is good trouble, as you have enough depth of talent to spread out between games. But in reality, you'll have to make a decision on who to award the spot to.
Mancini and Jones' play style couldn't be more different, and it adds a bit of complexity to the situation.
Mancini is a two-way defenseman, who can skate and can stay at home when needed on the Blueline.
Jones plays more of an offensive game, with excellent speed, and has a powerful shot that gives him the ability to make plays.
The answer could be for Peter Laviolette to keep rotating the two until one decided to clamp down and steal the job.
Will Mancini or Jones fit into the lineup better? Well if you let them play to their best abilities, you can find the true fit for the lineup.
He could also rotate the two based on the opponent's play style, and who is better suited for teams like the Florida Panthers, or Edmonton Oilers.
The split albeit out of the norm, could be a great way for Laviolette to find the player's strengths and weaknesses.
This could be another way of letting both players develop as a split, instead of sending one down to the AHL or designating either player the 7th D.
| POLL | ||
Who do you think Laviolette should keep as the sixth defenseman? | ||
| Victor Mancini | 527 | 69.1 % |
| Zac Jones | 236 | 30.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
