Rangers Closing in on Union D Mat Bodie

[Johnnydollaz89]

Katie Strang ‏@KatieStrangESPN 4m

#NYR Hearing that the Rangers are closing in on college free agent Mat Bodie, offensive defenseman from Union College

And they just won the Frozen Four!

‏@sportsology

If #Rangers sign Mat Bodie that's quite a coup. He's a lot better than Matt Gilroy was, but still not an #NHL lock. Love his offense, shot.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

4/15/14: 9:07AM: Katie Strang [ame="[MEDIA=twitter]456052168987258880[/MEDIA]"]confirms[/ame] with Bodie’s agent that he will sign with the Rangers.
Bodie’s contract starts next season and he will remain at Union to finish his degree. He will first join the Rangers at development camp in the first week of July. ([ame="[MEDIA=twitter]456052835256635392[/MEDIA]"]Strang[/ame])

Welcome to the Rangers!

 

[JBM73]

Nice signing by the Rangers. I have to admit I only saw him play in the last 2 games of the Frozen Four, but I personally was even more impressed with Bodie than I was with Gostisbehere. Bodie certainly doesn't have the same speed and level of offensive talent, and he may not be the better long-term prospect, but I was very impressed with his maturity and decision making. He just seems to "get" the game mentally. I guess that's "high hockey IQ".

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

He reminds of Matt Gilroy, just a faster and smoother skaters than Gilroy was. I hope he can bulk up a bit.

 

[JBM73]

During one of the games they were talking about how his listed weight of 165 was from his Freshman year, and is no longer accurate. I wouldn't be surprised if he's up to around 175-180 now, and can get to 185-190 with some professional strength training without sacrificing too much speed. At 6'0", 190lbs he'd certainly be ok.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

During one of the games they were talking about how his listed weight of 165 was from his Freshman year, and is no longer accurate. I wouldn't be surprised if he's up to around 175-180 now, and can get to 185-190 with some professional strength training without sacrificing too much speed. At 6'0", 190lbs he'd certainly be ok.

Agreed. Think he'd be able to be a bottom pairing defensemen at that size, maybe top-4, but doubtful.

 

[JBM73]

Agreed. Think he'd be able to be a bottom pairing defensemen at that size, maybe top-4, but doubtful.

Yeah, I think the Rangers would be thrilled just to have him crack the top 6 as a regular one day.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Yeah, I think the Rangers would be thrilled just to have him crack the top 6 as a regular one day.

For somebody who watched him more than me, I hope this is the case.