When I read that this trade went down I had to do a double check - I didn't, and still don't know much about Williams but I did remember that he was a highly touted player in his draft year and some publications had him pegged to go in the first round (he fell to the 2nd round due to attitude problems.) I did a little research and found out what he was about: Big Physical defenseman (6'4" 230) with a real nasty streak, which is something that we lack on our blue line. He's also got a rocket of a shot from the point. The downsides to his game are his skating (fixable), his positioning (ehh) and some say that his effort level isn't very consistent. Still, there are times where he shows flashes of potentially being a top 4 guy but at this point I'd be fucking thrilled if he became a bottom pairing defenseman.
One really has to wonder why Colorado, a rebuilding franchise that doesn't have the luxury of great depth on the back end would trade a talented 21 year old for a 28 year old AHL Journeyman. Williams was drafted as a very raw prospect (and he still is) and he progressed enough to have a decent year in the AHL last year. Could his attitude have caused the Avs to send him out on a rail? Maybe, but one has to think that they could have at least gotten a draft pick for a kid with Williams potential, hell, Ryan Hollweg netted the Rangers a 5th round pick last year. Really questionable asset management by the Avs here.
Williams will join an already deep and talented (maybe more so than any other team in the league) group of Rangers defensive prospects and brings a nasty, physical element that they lack amongst the group. I wouldn't call this a steal yet - There is a better than average chance that Williams never sees a game in the NHL but for Brian Fahey? Its a fucking no brainer
Raiting (1-5 pucks) - 3 pucks.
