The New York Rangers face a major dilemma with Victor Mancini and Zac Jones
With Ryan Lindgren healthy in the lineup for the Rangers, they're in 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 eight games this season, while Jones has only played five.
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.
Has great value as a right-shooting defenseman with impressive size and strength. Plays a safe, steady game in his own end and is a no-frills defender. Has never been much of a scoring threat, dating back to his formative years in Sweden, the USHL and the NCAA. However, he does read plays well and is not a liability with the puck on his blade.
Jones plays more of an offensive game, with excellent speed, and has a powerful shot that gives him the ability to make plays.
Has outstanding offensive instincts, plus the mobility to join the rush consistently and with aplomb. Can also be a factor on the power play. His skating is well above average, and he is comfortable playing on either side of the ice (which adds to his overall value). Lacks optimum size and strength, which he needs to gain in order to maximize output at the highest level.
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 would you keep as 6th defenseman in the Rangers lineup? |
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