Rangers Eye Jordan Spence for Defense Upgrade

**Corey** (0:00)
It's June 17th. This is New York Rangers News Today. Powered by AI, everything happening with your team. I'm Corey with the story. Word is, the New York Rangers might be looking to shake up their defense corps. A report surfaced this week suggesting the Ottawa senators are exploring the trade market for defenseman Jordan Spence. He's a restrictive free agent, meaning he could be available for teams looking to bolster their blue line, and he's apparently on the radar of other NHL executives. Spence just wrapped up his first full season with Ottawa and he's 25 years old. He's a right shot defenseman who put up solid numbers, notching seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points in 73 games. He also averaged nearly 19 minutes of ice time per night, showing he can handle a significant role. What's really catching attention are his advanced stats. When Spence is on the ice at even strength, his team controls the puck and outscores opponents at an elite rate.
He's generating a lot of offensive chances and limiting what the other team gets, which is exactly the kind of impact a modern defenseman should have. This kind of play makes him an attractive option, especially when you consider the Rangers' defensive struggles last season.
They need more players who can consistently drive play and contribute offensively from the back end, and Spence seems to fit that mold perfectly. He could potentially anchor a second pairing and bring a much needed dynamic to their defense. The Rangers have a lot of decisions to make this offseason, and acquiring a player like Spence could be a smart move. It signals a shift towards a more modern, offensive-mighted defense, which is crucial in today's NHL.
They should be looking for these kinds of upgrades rather than just throwing money at free agents.