Ryan Mcdonagh–Dan Girardi, Marc Staal–Nick Holden, Brady Skjei–Adam Clendening. This was the starting defenseman in the lineup for the first game of the 2016-17 season. Kevin Klein and Dylan Mcilrath were the scratches.
The New York Rangers defense had a difficult season, to say the least. Examples of mishandling of the puck, being out skated by the opponent and leaving players alone in front of Henrik Lundqvist were all too commonplace a season ago.
Today, the defensive lineup looks dramatically different with more offensive skill and promise.