GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Two players in bright red sweaters were skating as a pair again on defense, two former Wisconsin Badgers having a reunion on ice during Rangers practice Wednesday at the MSG Training Center — the captain, Ryan McDonagh, and the new guy, Brendan Smith.
“He’s always been an in-your-face kind of player, and someone that can step up and make plays at crucial points in the game,” McDonagh said. “So he’ll be an impact player.”
The Rangers look like they improved their defensive corps before Wednesday’s trade deadline via Tuesday’s deal with Detroit for Smith.