What the Rangers are getting in defenseman Adam McQuaid

Toughness, leadership and a pending UFA

9/13/2018, 1:45 PM
Feb 19, 2018; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames right wing Garnet Hathaway (21) and Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid (54) fight during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports / Sergei Belski
Feb 19, 2018; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames right wing Garnet Hathaway (21) and Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid (54) fight during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports / Sergei Belski

Brad Marchand said that it was "tough" to see Adam McQuaid get traded and that "when you look around the room, you want guys like him." (NBC Sports Boston)

Joe Haggerty described McQuaid as a "great teammate" and someone who stands up "without hesitation for his teammates against the biggest, toughest NHL foes." (NBC Sports Boston)

Haggerty notes that while McQuaid had fallen down the Bruins depth chart, they are going to miss his "toughness" and "selflessness."

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said the Bruins will miss McQuaid "as a player and teammate." (Bruins)

Last season, McQuaid spent most of his 5 on 5 minutes playing with Torey Krug (50% of the shot attempts) & Matt Grzelcyk (55.5% of the shot attempts.) (Natural Stat Trick)

In 2016-17, McQuaid played nearly 900 5 on 5 minutes with Krug and when the pair was on the ice the Bruins had 55% of the shot attempts. He also saw a lot of time with top-line Bruins Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastranak. (Natural Stat Trick)

He has mostly been paired with Krug since Krug joined the Bruins in 2013 and prior to that he was primarily paired at 5 on 5 with Andrew Ference. (Natural Stat Trick)

In his career, McQuaid has had 101 career fights across the OHL (13), AHL (27) and NHL (61).

He has played in 68 career playoff games, including 23 in 2010-11 en route to the Bruins winning the Stanley Cup.

In 2011 he had 4 assists, 13 shots on goal, 30 hits and 30 blocked shots in 13:02 per game.

In 2013 he played 22 games for the Bruins as they went to the Stanley Cup Final and had 2 goals, 2 assists, 42 hits and 29 blocked shots in 14:47 per game.

McQuaid, 31, is a right shot defenseman, has a cap hit of $2.75 million and is a UFA following this season.

When asked what he brings, McQuaid said on Friday that he "tries to be a steady presence and physical when the opportunity is there and make a good first pass. Hopefully I can be a good example for guys off the ice and I've been around a little while. Hopefully bring some experience." (NYR)

Adam Rotter: The Rangers are getting something that they needed on defense, which is toughness and experience. McQuaid seems a lot like Dan Girardi and brings the same kind of element that GIrardi did, on and off the ice, throughout his time with the Rangers. The Rangers needed to move on from Girardi off the ice, but they definitely missed him off the ice. With the direction the Rangers are going in, guys like Girardi and McQuaid are important in the way that Chris Drury was to a group of young Rangers right before he retired. Rebuilding is a process that goes beyond what we see during the 82 games the Rangers play. The rebuild takes shape in practice and how guys work and prepare off the ice and by all accounts McQuaid seems like someone who can set the right kind of example.

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