During the New York Rangers game against the Dallas Stars, Alexis Lafrenière was taken off the first line and replaced with Barclay Goodrow for a few shifts.
It was temporary, but a sign of things to come, especially if Gerard Gallant feels his team needs a spark.
Barclay Goodrow living up to his reputation in the early going
Barclay Goodrow started his career as a sparingly used 4th liner. He finally earned a full-time role at the age of 25, getting into all 82 games for the Sharks. Playing a hard-nosed style he put up 17 points while being a key face-off man winning 53.7% of his draws. More importantly he was physical, racking up 125 hits and 68 blocks.
Those efforts didn’t go unnoticed as the Tampa Bay Lightning identified him at the 2019-20 trade deadline and made sure to pry him from San Jose. GM Julien Brisebois valued what Goodrow could do so highly he sent a first round pick and Anthony Greco to get him.
It paid off.
Goodrow played a key role for Tampa as they won back-to-back Stanley Cups. It was later revealed that the gritty forward played much of the last playoffs with a broken hand. Yet he was out there, blocking shots, and killing key minutes late in games.
So just like BriseBois before him, Chris Drury saw the same things and knew he had to have him.
When the Lightning GM sent out a text to the league that Goodrow’s rights were available, Drury jumped on it. He sent over a 7th round pick and signed the 28 year-old to a six-year deal with a $3.6M AAV.
Since joining the Blueshirts, Goodrow is as advertised. He’s been physical with 5 hits and a takeaway through two games. Although he has no points yet, he was instrumental on the Rangers second goal against Dallas to tie the game.
It’s something his coach noticed.
Expect Goodrow to be moved around the lineup
“I like to move [Goodrow] around when things get a little stale for us,” Gallant said after the game. “When we got him this summer, you talk to the Tampa Bay Lightning people, and they love him, his character, his work ethic. And he’s a guy that you can put on the ice and you feel real comfortable you’re not going to get scored against. He plays that role pretty good. He does simple things we talk about… sometimes we get too cute, he’s one of those guys that simplifies things and the other players follow.”
Goodrow brings a high level of energy to every shift and it appears to be infectious. The results may not be there just yet, but the team has actually dominated three and half of the six periods they’ve played this season.
Barclay’s positive impact started in the preseason earning him a letter. When the team announced it would be going with six alternate captains this season, Goodrow, along with Strome were added to the group.
“I was brought here to be a leader,” Goodrow said. “In order to have a winning team, it starts with a winning culture and a winning attitude.”
It may be just two games into a new season, but Goodrow has already put that into practice and the team will be better for it soon enough.
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