Hartnett: Rangers Rookie Brady Skjei Holds Himself To High Standard

By Sean Hartnett
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Growing pains tend to be inevitable for promising defensemen in their first full season of NHL work. In this way, 22-year-old Brady Skjei is no different than any other rookie blueliner. That said, there is something uncommon in how he handles himself on a day-to-day basis in his first full season with the Rangers.

What has always stood out about the Lakeville, Minnesota, native is his poise, maturity and understanding of what it takes to become a reliable professional in the fast-paced NHL at a tender age.

After an underwhelming preseason, Skjei has improved game after game in the first month of the regular season. His latest performance, in Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes, was proof of his rising stock. Playing alongside veteran Dan Girardi, he assisted his defensive partner on the game-winning goal. He made a strong carry from his own blue line into the offensive zone then banked a pass off the end boards directly to Girardi's wheelhouse.

"He's a young guy, but he's playing with some veteran poise out there," Girardi said following Sunday's victory. "He really handled the puck well. When he had the opportunity, he has good legs and good skating ability, and he used that to his advantage tonight. You see little, subtle plays like that, when he sees when they are changing, and be able to get up the ice and make something happen. I think that's big for him and for us."

The Rangers have a high regard for Skjei's smooth skating, the confidence he displays with the puck on his stick, his offensive instincts and potential shutdown ability. All the ingredients for a special player is there. Perhaps most important of all is the desire to improve and to hold himself to high standards.

"I need to get back to playing the way I was at the end of the year, last year," Skjei told WFAN.com. "I think I haven't played at that level yet, but I feel I'm getting better every day. I just need to play the game I know I'm able to play. That's what got me here. If I take it day by day, I'll be fine. I need to be harder in the D-zone and keep making the play when it's there and keep it simple."

The 6-foot-3 left-hander gave Rangers fans a glimpse of the future when he filled in admirably while captain Ryan McDonagh missed the opening two games of last season's playoffs because of a broken index finger. Skjei turned out to be the biggest positive for the Blueshirts in a one-sided series to forget against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

It's not easy to fill the absence of McDonagh, an all-situation contributor who typically gives the Rangers 25 minutes of outstanding work per game. Yet, Skjei looked comfortable taking on this responsibility and quickly earned the trust of head coach Alain Vigneault. Skjei was thrust into key specials teams minutes, and Vigneault experimented with him in a number of different pairings on either side of defense. The former first-round pick finished his first playoffs with two assists in five games and averaged 18:27 TOI.

It's the steady level of play from his first postseason that Skjei is using as his personal measuring stick.

"That's definitely what I want to get back to," Skjei said. "When you feel the confidence the coach has in you, it definitely makes you play better. Playing those kind of minutes, it makes you feel like you're more into the game. That's what I want to get back to, and I think I'll be there soon."

The comparable has always been McDonagh. Whether it's scouts, teammates or Vigneault talking, the common thread is that Skjei possesses plenty of physical and mental attributes similar to a young McDonagh. It's a comparison that does not overwhelm the 22-year-old rookie.

"We have very similar playing styles, similar physical abilities," Skjei said. "He's a guy who plays a great 200-foot game. He gives me pointers on the bench, but taking in a lot of the stuff he does in practice – watching what he does definitely helps me a lot. The veteran guys here are really good guys and good guys to look up to. I definitely take notes from the D-men because it's the position I'm in. McDonagh, (Marc Staal), Dan Girardi are good guys to learn from in practice and before games they really know what to focus on to get ready for a big game."

Skjei appears to be in a situation where everything is set up for him to succeed. He has a mix of teammates and coaches who can aid his development. Importantly, Vigneault is a head coach who believes in Skjei's ability at a young age and desires to get the most out of him in an up-tempo, offensive-thinking system.

"I think the system here is perfectly suited for me," Skjei said. "He likes puck-moving defensemen and guys who can skate. I think that's the defenseman I am. Whenever you get the chance to get up in the play and join the rush, I use my skating to my advantage – I think that's a positive for me, and I try to help the team with that."

It probably won't be long before Rangers fans are seeing double given how Skjei appears on track to emulate the high standard set by McDonagh.

Follow Sean on Twitter at @HartnettHockey