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Player Discussion Brady Skjei

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thought this is what he would look like after he was done developing

very excited to see if he could continue improving. those "mcdonagh-lite" comparisons may have been a bit...light
 
The only thing I am afraid of is that he somehow hits a wall and drops like Del Zotto did. MDZ also had a great rookie season but he slowly vanished after that. We traded him for Klein and the Predators didn't even re-sign him after that.

I hope it doesn't happen, and Skjei is older than MDZ during his rookie season, so there might be more to build on
 
Not terribly worried about Skjei based on the style of his game.

Looking at the five defenseman we took in the first round between 2005 and 2012, Skjei's game might be the best suited for today's NHL.

MDZ was always a higher-risk pick because his game outside of offense had holes. Eight seasons into his career, his defense is still suspect and his offense isn't enough to mask it.

McIlrath was, in hindsight, probably the opposite of Skjei. The game has transitioned quickly over the past 7 years, and McIlrath just couldn't adapt.

Staal's footwork makes him somewhat borderline in today's NHL, but I don't think we can discount how much those string of injuries took from him as well.

Sanguinetti had his share of warning signs before he ever go to the pros and was another one whose chances hinged on whehter he could generate offense.

Skjei on the other hand was steady. He's an excellent skater, but his game doesn't depend on generating offense. Instead it depends on being able to cover ground, not unlike McD. Together, Skjei and McD are the types of players tailor-made for today's NHL.

If an 18 year old Skjei were available in most drafts post 2014, he's easily a top 15 pick. Maybe even the lower half of the top 10 in 2017.
 
Edge said:
Not terribly worried about Skjei based on the style of his game.

Looking at the five defenseman we took in the first round between 2005 and 2012, Skjei's game might be the best suited for today's NHL.

MDZ was always a higher-risk pick because his game outside of offense had holes. Eight seasons into his career, his defense is still suspect and his offense isn't enough to mask it.

McIlrath was, in hindsight, probably the opposite of Skjei. The game has transitioned quickly over the past 7 years, and McIlrath just couldn't adapt.

Staal's footwork makes him somewhat borderline in today's NHL, but I don't think we can discount how much those string of injuries took from him as well.

Sanguinetti had his share of warning signs before he ever go to the pros and was another one whose chances hinged on whehter he could generate offense.

Skjei on the other hand was steady. He's an excellent skater, but his game doesn't depend on generating offense. Instead it depends on being able to cover ground, not unlike McD. Together, Skjei and McD are the types of players tailor-made for today's NHL.

If an 18 year old Skjei were available in most drafts post 2014, he's easily a top 15 pick. Maybe even the lower half of the top 10 in 2017.
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Makes you wonder how they went from McIrath to Skjei in 2 years.
 
Skjei's confidence and movement in the offensive zone has improved by MILES in such a short period of time. He does things McDonagh can't (or doesn't?) do. The amount of times I'll see Skjei confidently dart towards a puck going up the middle of the ice and keep it in, or all the times he'll selectively support forwards in the offensive zone for a few extra shots, is staggering.

I'm literally in love with Skjei if you guys didn't notice btw

And him babysitting an AHL'er in Kampfer is pretty cool. Nice charity from him.
 
My favorite is Skjei having the puck behind the net and just blowing by a forechecker either with speed or by faking him out behind the net. He did it to Killorn tonight and absolutely schooled him
 
Skjei is quickly turning into one of my favorite players on the team. His progression just through this season is unimaginable. Sincerely hope he's a Ranger for his career, could definitely see him being a captain at some point.
 
Some hit that he threw in the neutral zone... I don't believe MSG showed a replay of it but I could be mistaken...
 
SnowblindNYR said:
How does Skjei's ceiling compare to what McDonagh is now?
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After seeing such rapid progression it makes you wonder. Skating wise, I think he might be even better than McD. His acceleration is just so effortless, it takes one or two strides to win races to open ice. Top pairing D for sure, not sure how much of one though.
 
The Gloaming said:
Skjei showed some Yandle-like ability in keeping the puck in at the blueline yesterday. Raising my hopes for him.
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This. Was about to say he reminds me of Yandle moreso than McDonagh.

I like his puck carrying ability and offensive abilities but I don't think he can do a lot of the things McDonagh can do in the defensive zone.

I see a nice top4 but idk about a legit top 2 guy.

In terms of skating, Skeij almost glides and gallops and is elusive but he doesn't really have that raw strength and power McDonagh has. McDonagh goes 200 feet and back on a lot of his shifts and you almost never see him get caught.
 
Not only is his confidence growing in his game, but also his physical play. As he continues to mature he gets a little more physical. He's got pretty good size and he's starting to use it. It's amazing how well he skates to chase someone down and then can dump to the ice when he catches up with them. That's something he definitely shows similar in comparison to McD.
 
Thirty One said:
Skjei only has one less point than Yandle this season.

Someone was going to say it.
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Yandle would have 10-15 more points here by the end of the season.

The way Skjei skates reminds me more of Yandle too. Don't know if he has Yandle's offensive vision though - maybe he'll​ end up being a Yandle-like GH hybrid.
 
NYR713 said:
Not only is his confidence growing in his game, but also his physical play. As he continues to mature he gets a little more physical. He's got pretty good size and he's starting to use it. It's amazing how well he skates to chase someone down and then can dump to the ice when he catches up with them. That's something he definitely shows similar in comparison to McD.
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Wasn't Skjei a pretty rough player in college?
 
Raspewtin said:
Wasn't Skjei a pretty rough player in college?
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I don't remember much from the games I watched. I remember always thinking how great of a skater he was and positionally sound. Don't remember a ton of offense or physicality but I didn't watch more than maybe 10 games of his college career.

But compared to earlier this season, he seemed to be adjusting and finding his place in the league, both skill and physically. Since Christmas area I've noticed the physicality increase just like his overall performance on the ice.

I enjoy watching him play. I'd like to see McDonagh moved to the right side more with Brady on the left. Keep the developing guy on his natural side.

Holden and Smith make a decent pair so that would leave Staal with Girardi or Klein when they are healthy which wouldn't be horrible as a 3rd pairing, which of course I think most would go with Staal Klein pairing as first choice.
 
Geoff Gorden said:
Freshman year was a mixed bag but he could have and IMO, should have gone pro after his Sophomore season.

Mike Reilly was a very rough player on the same team despite all the accolades.
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I don't think I saw Mike Reilly hit anyone once in his three years on the Gophers. Skjei wasn't very physical either but more so than Reilly. You always saw the tools with Brady to a very solid NHL defenseman but the offense he is generating this year is genuinely shocking to me.

Great to see him succeed though, always seemed like a good kid.
 
I'm gonna need to see him start to get more of a defensive role. Staal and Holden aren't cutting it. We gotta find some reliable defenders for the playoffs. If they gotta throw the rookie into a big defensive role, do it. Don't go out with Holden and Staal throwing the puck into their net.
 
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