Since the Rangers traded for J.T. Miller, Jonny Brodzinski has been forced to take on an entirely new role.
Jonny Brodzinski is ready for whatever is thrown his way.
With Filip Chytil in Vancouver and Mika Zibanejad at the wing, Brodzinski has been thrust into the third-line center role.
Brodzinski mostly played at the wing before this change, but he’s comfortable at center as well, which allows him to take on different opportunities.
“I think everybody around here, especially teammates and coaches know my game, they know what I can bring to this team,” Brodzinski said. “I’m comfortable in this role. Coming from Hartford, playing on the top line, playing 20 plus minutes, power play, first penalty kill. Can pretty much play anywhere up and down the lineup. I’m comfortable in any spot that they put me in and I just go out there and do the best I can.”
The 31-year-old forward did not play in the lineup from Jan. 11 to Feb. 1, something that would impact a lot of players mentally.
However, Brodzinski has been scraping for playing time his entire life as this is nothing new to him.
“I’ve been doing this my whole career, not something that’s new to me,” Brodzinski said. “When I’m out, stay positive, keep working hard because like it’s been every single time whether it’s an injury, we got a trade, stuff happens all the time and you have to be ready. I’ve always had that mentality and it’s worked out so far.”
Peter Laviolette has always seen potential in Brodzinski. Although changing positions is an adjustment, Laviolette feels Brodzinski continues to handle the transition well.
Brodzinski’s multidimensional game has a backstory and it started during his time in the American Hockey League with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
“I think he’s done good,” Laviolette said about Brodzinski moving to center. “That low position defensively at center is always a bit of a learning position. I think most of it came from last year when we moved him in Hartford to the middle. He started playing games think that we may need this because he was one of their top players on a consistent basis.
“I think he’s done a good job of learning and continuing to evolve. Most of the games we’ve used him, he hasn’t been at center. He’s been at the wing, which I feel is more his natural position, but he does a good job, he’s quick, he’s fast. He’s a smart hockey player, he can read things. I think it’s continuing to learn for him.”
He’s also been serving a role on the second power play unit, showing the kind of offensive potential that he brings to the table.
Brodzinski is a fighter, and he’ll continue to do so in his new position.