Time will tell if Paul Mara is the sharpshooting defenseman the Rangers desperately need. What is clear right now is that Tom Renney is glad to have the 27-year-old Ridgewood, N.J., native.
“He’s got good size,” Renney said of Mara (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) after practice yesterday in Tarrytown. “He’s a very good skater. We like his puck game, [and] the fact that he has some NHL experience, [but] he’s still a young defenseman in my mind . . . at the front end of his prime.
“He’s got a good shot from the point,” Renney said. “We like that, naturally, but he’s also one of those guys who can work the back door pretty well. He’s got good instincts on where to go, and I think he’ll help on the power play. In general, over time, he’s certainly gonna help our team five-on-five because of his ability to play the position with his size and skating ability.”
Mara skated with his new team for the first time yesterday after being acquired from the Bruins on Tuesday for defenseman Aaron Ward. Mara is expected to make his Rangers debut tonight when the Blueshirts, coming off a 4-0 victory over the Canadiens, play host to the Penguins.
With Boston, Mara was second on the team in minutes but was minus-22 in 59 games. He recorded disappointing totals of three goals and 15 assists, but Mara and Renney said they believe he has the skills to be an impact player for the Rangers.
“In Boston, [I played in] a little bit different system,” Mara said. “I haven’t been doing that (working the back door) in Boston this year. In years past, I have done that a lot, and hopefully I can get back to that here in New York . . . the style in Boston wasn’t conducive to that.”
Mara said he believes the Rangers will allow him to utilize his offensive skills more freely, which will lead to better production.
Renney would not comment on speculation that the trade was made to rid the Rangers of Ward, who had become a malcontent.
“It’s a hockey move, simple as that,” Renney said. “We believe [Mara] can grow into our organization and help us, not just right now, but in the long term.”
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Forward Martin Straka did not skate due to a shoulder injury and is considered day-to-day. “He could do further damage so we have to be careful,” Renney said. “It’s one of those things that will require further attention after the season.”