Hartnett: Grabner Giving Rangers Excellent Value, Surprising Production

By Sean Hartnett
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Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton found some gems in the bargain aisle when he signed Michael Grabner and Brandon Pirri to a combined cap hit of $2.75 million this summer.

Having four lines that can generate positive possession, speed and skill is a necessary element for any contending club. The additions of Grabner and Pirri have shored up the Rangers' bottom six by offering these attributes and are helping Blueshirts excel in defensive zone starts against tough assignments.

On Oct. 27, my column detailed why Pirri has been one of the NHL's best summer bargains. The same can be said about Grabner, who has finally given the Rangers the game-changing speed missing from their bottom six since they opted to deal away Carl Hagelin at the 2015 NHL Draft.

Hagelin eventually landed in Pittsburgh and ignited a midseason turnaround that culminated in Stanley Cup glory. After joining the Penguins in a January deal from Anaheim, the swift-skating Swede collected 27 points in 37 games at the end of the regular season and then registered 16 points in 24 playoff games on the red-hot "HBK Line" alongside Nick Bonino and Phil Kessel.

Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault used to lavish praise on Hagelin for his ability to scare the opposition with his speed.

"Two strides – and boom, he's in the hole," Vigneault said of Hagelin in October 2014. "He is on a loose puck, first on the puck. That speed obviously backs off the opposition."

Vigneault is now saying similar things about Grabner, who has recorded eight points through his first 11 games as a Ranger. The Austrian winger is tied for the team lead with six goals.

"Grabs' speed probably scares the opposition a little bit," Vigneault said after the Rangers' 5-3 victory over visiting Edmonton on Thursday night.

Vigneault admitted the third line of Grabner, Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller has "probably been our most productive line." The trio combined for seven points in Thursday's win, and each member of the line registered a goal and an assist. Over the past three games, the trio has recorded a whopping 18 points.

"He just really pushes back the defensemen," Miller said of Grabner. "He's very responsible. He's done it over his career. He's very good defensively. Then when we get the puck, we're immediately trying to look to see where he is. If he doesn't have (the puck), he's at least pushing back the defensemen. It makes room for Haysie's big body and makes me get open and get to the net. I think we're learning each other's tendencies right now and building some chemistry."

The Rangers have had a tricky time replacing the penalty killing expertise the jet-like Hagelin helped provide for four seasons. Their penalty killing was a major weakness last season, as it fell to 26th overall. This season has seen an improvement to 19th, as many of Gorton's offseason moves focused on adding two-way speed and upgrading the penalty kill.

"There's no doubt that one of the reasons we brought him (Grabner) on board was to improve our penalty killing, but also to have that speed shorthanded and have that speed obviously five-on-five," Vigneault said.

When Grabner is on the ice in shorthanded situations, he's constantly forcing turnovers and counterattacks. The 6-foot-1 winger led all skaters with three takeaways in Thursday's victory. He currently ranks fourth in the NHL with 12 takeaways.

"He's been great for us," alternate captain Marc Staal said. "He's surprised us on the penalty kill. He puts some fear into the (opposition) power play. He's dangerous. I think last game, he had three breakaways. It feels like he gets three or four a game. It causes you to watch him. Teams have to be aware of where he is. It's a big advantage for us, for sure."

Grabner's goal-getting, ability to thrive in transition and penalty-killing prowess are big factors for why the Rangers are in first place in the Metropolitan Division at 8-3 with 16 points. They are certainly getting mega value from him at $1.65 million per season.

Follow Sean on Twitter at @HartnettHockey