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New York Rangers 2018-19 player preview: Fredrik Claesson

When the New York Rangers signed Fredrik Claesson in July, he seemed primed for a depth role on a young blue line. His mostly steady play in Ottawa was a calling card for a defensive group surrounded by questions and packed with untested youth.

Two months later, Claesson may not even crack the Rangers lineup as a seventh defenseman.

Unlike many of the Rangers’ up-and-coming prospects, Claesson is less offensively inclined. With only 20 career points over 113 games, his biggest impacts come in the defensive and neutral zones. In fact, Claesson is remarkably adept at defending his own blue line—and could complement a player like Tony DeAngelo well in that regard.