The move that has seemed only natural since the start of training camp is coming. Sooner rather than later, and quite likely for Saturday night’s match in Calgary, Brady Skjei will move from his natural left side to the Blueshirts’ right side on defense, where he could become a top-four staple for the next decade.

Skjei, who has been the Rangers’ best defenseman for the last two or three games while paired with Kevin Klein, skated at practice with Marc Staal. Klein was paired with Nick Holden (who moved from right to his natural left), while the Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi tandem remained intact.

“It was new to me when I got to the rink for practice, but I’m not unfamiliar with it,” said the 22-year-old rookie, who was on the right for AHL Hartford the second half of last season before playing two games on that side for the Blueshirts in the playoffs. “I enjoy playing the right side. Not much changes for me, but there are advantages in seeing the ice and taking the puck off the wall in the offensive zone and walking in or moving it. I think it’s also easier to get shots through on that side with a one-timer.”

Vigneault waited for Skjei’s game to stabilize following a rocky camp before making the move. Of every position, the Rangers appear most vulnerable long-term, if not immediately, on the right side of the blue line. If Skjei can make the transition, that would go a long way to addressing the issue.

“I have a couple of different options, but I do want him to practice there,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “We can take more advantage of his skating and puck-moving ability. I really like his progression.”

Skjei, selected 28th overall in the 2012 draft, has played with five different defense partners through the first 14 games. He’s played the last six with Klein after playing one with Holden, two with Dan Girardi, one with Dylan McIlrath and four with Adam Clendening.

“No matter who I’m with, I try to play to my strength, which is basically using my feet and skating,” Skjei said. “No matter who you’re with, whether it’s a more offensive or defensive guy, there’s a trust between partners to know when to go and when to stay back.”

With the upcoming Calgary/Edmonton back-to-back scenario, Clendening is expected to replace Girardi in the lineup for the contest against the Oilers on Sunday.

Vigneault said the Rangers will handle it differently the next time they face a situation such as Tuesday, when Antti Raanta was removed by an NHL spotter under the league’s concussion protocol. Henrik Lundqvist entered what was a 2-2 game cold at 8:27 of the third, four minutes after the starting netminder had banged the back of his helmet on the ice following a collision with Markus Granlund, and allowed two goals in 6:19 before Raanta returned after having been cleared.

“We were caught a little bit off guard and have discussed it since then,” the coach said. “We got the call and knew Antti was going to come out at the next stop, but that went [four] minutes. Next time, the backup will go to the dressing room right away to stretch and get a feel for it.”

After opening with 10 of the first 14 at the Garden, the 10-4 Blueshirts (8-2 at home) have six of their next eight and 10 of the next 15 on the road.