McDonagh Signs With Rangers

Wisconsin Senior to be Ryan McDonagh will forgo his final year in Madison to play for the Rangers. Rangers fans were a little irked with McDonagh over not signing right away, but he was slated to be captain for the Badgers in 2010-11 and he wanted assurances that he would be in the NHL relatively soon, rather than having to play in the AHL.

McDonagh had just 18 points in 43 games for the Badgers this year, but he was probably their best defensive defenseman. He has an intriguing skill set and I think he’ll have a long and very good NHL career. Unless Glen Sather screws it up which is entirely possibly.

McDonagh’s departure leaves quite a conundrum for the Badgers, who will now have to elect a new captain. I like Jake Gardiner to wear the C, but whoever is named captain will be captaining a 7th place team.