Former Rangers defenseman and MSG Network analyst Dave Maloney talks about the Rangers’ uneven start to the season, his early impressions of Rick Nash and the Blackhawks with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: Were you surprised by the up-and-down start by the Rangers?
A: There was a lot of optimism coming into the season, but I had always been a little bit suspect of the bodies that were turned over for a team that was so close to the Stanley Cup Finals. Now you have a roster that looks a lot different than it did. Right now with a chance to digest everything they are probably about where they should be.
Q: They went on a four-game losing streak when Rick Nash was hurt. Are they too top-heavy with the trade?
A: No, I think better is still ahead for this group. J.T. Miller, Taylor Pyatt, Darroll Powe have been nice fill-ins. They had 3 1/2 years under (John) Tortorella with basically the same group evolving. I don’t think you can underestimate how important the trust is that had grown between the players and coach. That takes time to build.
Q: What has impressed you about Nash since he joined the team?
A: He’s unbelievably effective in an unorthodox way. He’ll put his body in positions and yet maintain control enough to make a play. He uses his body and his length somewhat like Jaromir Jagr, perhaps not as powerfully as Jagr. But he protects the puck and has that sense of vision with the play and what he can do.
Q: Were the expectations too high for Chris Kreider?
A: The adjustment to the NHL is more than on the ice. He didn’t have to grind it out and deal with adversity last spring. But there are still reasons to think he’ll be a factor this season. But at the end of the day, it’s never a bad thing for a kid to spend the start of his career in the minor leagues and get used to the NHL life.
Q: What do you attribute to the Blackhawks’ amazing start?
A: They are deep, they are skilled. It’s a story that includes many parts. You cannot underestimate a team being healthy. This is by and large a team that won a Cup two years ago with the same coach. Their best players are in the right part of their career.