NEAL PIONK - Defenseman - 23 - $3.00MM Cap Hit - RFA in 2021-2022
LAST UPDATED 1/28/19
Part of the Rangers' tradition of poaching some of the best free agent talent from the NCAA, Pionk has flashed offensive brilliance for the Blueshirts along with many defensive hiccups. Like his highly paid teammate Kevin Shattenkirk, Pionk excels when the puck is on his stick and when he's rushing up the ice. He has PPQB potential, and with 20 points in 42 games to start 2018-19 at the age of 23, Pionk looks to be a potential 40 point defenseman. Despite these strengths, he's prone to defensive mistakes and his small stature limits his ability to knock opposing attackers off the puck. At this point, he should be a sheltered bottom-pairing dman with offensively-oriented zone starts and power play usage. Given his offensive tools he has #4 powerplay QB upside if he can round out his defense. But, given his play this season, his defense looks like it's getting worse, not better, putting his upside in jeopardy.
Part of the Rangers' tradition of poaching some of the best free agent talent from the NCAA, Pionk has flashed offensive brilliance for the Blueshirts along with many defensive hiccups. Like his highly paid teammate Kevin Shattenkirk, Pionk excels when the puck is on his stick and when he's rushing up the ice. He has PPQB potential, and with 20 points in 42 games to start 2018-19 at the age of 23, Pionk looks to be a potential 40 point defenseman. Despite these strengths, he's prone to defensive mistakes and his small stature limits his ability to knock opposing attackers off the puck. At this point, he should be a sheltered bottom-pairing dman with offensively-oriented zone starts and power play usage. Given his offensive tools he has #4 powerplay QB upside if he can round out his defense. But, given his play this season, his defense looks like it's getting worse, not better, putting his upside in jeopardy.
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