Keith Yandle and Rangers are a perfect fit

Kevin Allen | USA TODAY Sports

When the New York Rangers acquired defenseman Keith Yandle before the trade deadline, it was the NHL equivalent of unlocking their genetic code.

He is the missing link, the final building block in their search to discover who they need to be as a team. His puck-moving skill should tie together their offense and defense in such an efficient manner that they will be superior to the team they were last season in reaching the Stanley Cup Final.

"Yandle helps the Rangers push the pace of the game; he can really help quarterback their power play," NBC analyst Pierre McGuire said. "They have a great defense."

The Rangers were among the boldest shoppers at the trade deadline, giving up prized rookie Anthony Duclair, young defenseman John Moore and their 2016 first-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes for Yandle. As an unrepentant risk-taker, Yandle is not an ideal fit for every team or every coach, but he is a perfect fit for the speedy Rangers and the offensive style embraced by coach Alain Vigneault.

The Rangers already had Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and Kevin Klein to play a stingy defensive game, giving Yandle the green light to play an attacking style. New York also has Dan Boyle in that offensive role, but he is 38. Yandle is 28, in the prime of his career.

"(Vigneault) wants me to get up in the play and join the rush," Yandle said. "If you look at this lineup, there are guys who can make plays at all ends. It's a fun style to play."

It is, however, unfair to cast Yandle as an offense-only defenseman. During the 2014 U.S. Olympic selection process, Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi, a member of the selection committee, presented a passionate, thoroughly researched, well-reasoned argument that Yandle was a more complete player than his reputation would suggest.

Although Yandle didn't make the U.S. squad, Lombardi's oration on Yandle's merits did make committee members take a closer look at what Yandle had to offer as an offensive game-changer who can help defensively by moving the puck quickly out of his end.

It feels fitting for Yandle, a Massachusetts native, to wear the Rangers uniform, because he idolized New York defenseman Brian Leetch while growing up. "I was a Boston Bruins fan, but I was an NHL fan," Yandle said. "I tried to emulate his game a little bit."

Yandle had a banner with Leetch's photo on it hanging in his room. He wore Leetch's No. 2 until he reached high school.

No one in New York views Yandle as another Leetch, who was a two-time Norris Trophy winner. But there are expectations for Yandle to run the power play as effectively as Leetch did.

It will take time for Yandle to find his comfort zone in the Rangers offense. He has gone from one of the NHL's worst teams to one of the NHL's best.

Yandle had no points in his first four games through Sunday, but it is easy to see he was born to play for this style of offensive team. He has averaged a little more than 19 minutes a game, including 21 minutes on Sunday.

Yandle had played in Arizona since 2006, and it wasn't easy to say goodbye. But it is easy to fall in love with playing for a team that has a chance to win a Stanley Cup, especially if Yandle can make New York's forwards even better with his first passes.

"It's what you play for — to get in the playoffs," he said. "It was a bit of a tough situation in Arizona. ... Now we are in the thick of things, trying to win games. It's fun to play games that matter."

Photos: NHL player power rankings