Hartnett: Raphael Diaz Happy To Be Back With Rangers, Is Ready To Compete

By Sean Hartnett
» More Columns

It was a happy homecoming for Raphael Diaz when the Rangers called this summer. Having previously joined the Rangers ahead of their 2014 playoff run, the smooth-skating defenseman proved to be a reliable plug-in player as the Rangers went on to reach the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.

Diaz cherishes the memories of his first stint with the Rangers, as he helped the Blueshirts reach their first Stanley Cup Final appearance since 1994. Diaz skated for four games during the 2014 playoffs, including the Rangers' Game 1 overtime defeat to the Los Angeles Kings.

"It's always nice when a team brings you back," Diaz said in an exclusive interview with WFAN.com. "Almost two years ago, it was a great experience here. Great guys. It was fun. We reached the Stanley Cup Final and had a great battle in the finals. These are what you'll always remember your whole life. Now, I'm back and I'm really excited about it.

Diaz enters a fierce preseason competition. After bowing out to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015 Eastern Conference Final, the Rangers return their regular six defensemen from last season. Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Keith Yandle, Dan Boyle and Kevin Klein each played key roles in helping the Rangers to a 113-point, Presidents' Trophy-winning season.

Although Diaz is an experienced 29-year-old veteran, the Rangers' organization thinks highly of top prospect Brady Skjei and former 10th overall pick Dylan McIlrath. Diaz is prepared to give his all during training camp and the preseason to show Alain Vigneault and the coaching staff why he deserves to start the 2015-16 season in New York.

"I take it day by day," Diaz said. "I don't look too far ahead. This summer, I was working hard to prepare myself for camp, for the season. I will play my best and give my all for the team. In every practice, I'm going to give everything. The decision is not up to me. I have to play good, play my style of hockey. The rest is up for the coaching staff to take over."

Like Matt Hunwick last season, Diaz stands a solid chance of making the Rangers as a seventh defenseman and being a plug-in player. He served that role in his previous stint with the Rangers.

"You always want to be ready," Diaz said. "When I came here, I came into a team that was in great shape. I played 11 games, and then some playoff games. My role was to be ready and we reached the finals – and it was unbelievable."

What gives Diaz a solid leg up over the competition is his understanding of Vigneault's uptempo system. Vigneault trusted Diaz with power-play minutes during his previous spell with the Rangers and knows exactly what Diaz brings to the table.

Diaz enjoys playing in Vigneault's system, which is an ideal fit for his efficient puck moving. Vigneault trusts his defensemen with a green light to join the rush. Diaz described these opportunities to jump into the attack as playing like a fourth forward.

"Of course, you like it as a defenseman if you can join the rush," Diaz said. "That's what they want. They want you to join the rush and be there as kind of the fourth forward. I like to make plays. It's a lot of skating. It's about playing tight to the opposition on both ends of the ice."

This is where Diaz wants to be. He feels at home in a dressing room full of familiar faces and is out to prove that his experience can be an asset to the Rangers.

"Every guy is so nice," Diaz said. "It's always nice to see friends again. I was here for two or three months, but when I came back I felt like I was already part of the team again. I saw the guys and share funny stories. I will give my best for this team."

Follow Sean on Twitter @HartnettHockey.