Prospect Info: 2012-2013 Hartford Wolf Pack/Greenville Road Warriors Thread (AHL, ECHL) *Part III*

[Pizza]

I have it on good authority, from someone who follows the Whale religiously, that McIlrath will never be more than a 5/6 fighting defenseman. I'd like to disagree, as me and this fellow generally disagree on many things regarding the Rangers, but I have no basis to stand on, I haven't seen McIlrath play in a very long time.

Judging by what I'm told, and what I read here, I think he'll be given a shot in camp next season to compete, but will ultimately start the season in the AHL. I think the 13/14 season will see McIlrath get a call up or two for a cup of coffee at the NHL level. It will be the 14/15 season that sees McIlrath inserted into the Rangers top-6 as an NHL regular.

If the above scenario plays out, that is VERY disappointing, IMHO, for a #1 pick. But, defensemen surely do take longer to progress than forwards, especially those that specialize in the stay-at-home game.

With the #10 pick in the 2010 draft, the Rangers filled an organizational need that was empty since Beuk left. I have full confidence in McIlrath becoming a mean SOB at the NHL level who doesn't let anyone get near Lundqvist, and if they try to, they'll pay the price.

A few years ago a buddy of mine connected me with some pretty tuned in hockey guys who saw McIlrath on a regular basis. While they had very strong criticisms they were united in their opinion that the Rangers had made a very shrewd pick. The short take:

Extremely raw but an exceedingly rare combination of maturity, coachability, athleticism, agility, awesome strength, size and down right nastiness.

They geeked out on things like gap control and other scout like nomenclature that I get totally lost in and can't follow to save my skin. But their enthusiasm was easy to read. You don't grab yourself a ladder, go out to the back yard and pick a kid like this off the prospect tree. It does not happen often but if you have a chance to pick a kid like this you take it and smile. Because as one of them pointed out, if the Rangers want a Taresenko they can just go buy one. Few teams have that luxury. The Rangers do (see Nash, Richards, Gabby).

That is consistent with what people like Clark, Gorton and Buek have said right up till recently. I know they work for the org., but they are integrity guys who I trust.

That's all I got here.

 

[Jarkko Immonen]

It's ridiculous to cap McIlrath's potential this early in his career. Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[JCrusher*]

It's ridiculous to cap McIlrath's potential this early in his career. Absolutely ridiculous.

never been a big fan of mcilrath. sure i love his fighting ability but he doesnt have much hockey skill

 

[17futurecap]

Fast with the goal!

 

[Jarkko Immonen]

Newbury, Kreider, Hrivik, Fast already paying dividends. Four goals in the second to take the lead 4-2!

 

[JCrusher*]

Newbury, Kreider, Hrivik, Fast already paying dividends. Four goals in the second to take the lead 4-2!

fast scored his first goal and kreider has 3 assists

 

[haohmaru]

You can't have it both ways, either you are comparing him to Chara IN SOME WAY or you're not. Which is it?

Ex: "Jim Pavese had no points before 25 yrs old, then look after 25 yrs old - no points. I'm not comparing him to Pavese buuuuuuuut......."

Just pointing out the before and after of a particular player that plays defense. Not saying McIlrath is or ever will be Chara, just that his age might not be indicative of his potential.

But, I think you already knew what I was doing. Right?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Was this Fasth's first game at CT?

 

[TheTakedown]

Was this Fasth's first game at CT?

Believe so...

Go Whale! Totally goping to a playoff game this year for them

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

Just pointing out the before and after of a particular player that plays defense. Not saying McIlrath is or ever will be Chara, just that his age might not be indicative of his potential.

But, I think you already knew what I was doing. Right?

Don't worry it was obvious what you were saying and it was harmless. Heeee's just busting balls a little no biggie or at least I think he is

 

[Green Blob*]

Awesome Fast scored his first game!

 

[Jarkko Immonen]

Highlights available here. Jesper Fast's goal here.

 

[Bluenote13]

if the Rangers want a Taresenko they can just go buy one. Few teams have that luxury. The Rangers do (see Nash, Richards, Gabby).

HUGE difference is Tarasenko does not make 7 million a season.

Just pointing out the before and after of a particular player that plays defense. Not saying McIlrath is or ever will be Chara, just that his age might not be indicative of his potential.

But, I think you already knew what I was doing. Right?

You were way better off using Beuk as an example, did not play regular minutes in the NHL until he was 23. Using Chara because he's large and plays defense is what a hockey novice would compare MCI to.

 

[gary laser eyes]

Highlights available here. Jesper Fast's goal here.

What a touch pass by Kreider and nice top shelf snipe by Fasth.

And LOLOLOLOL at Stu Pickles carrying the puck up ice MDZ style on the PP to start that play.

 

[The Gloaming]

What a touch pass by Kreider and nice top shelf snipe by Fasth.

And LOLOLOLOL at Stu Pickles carrying the puck up ice MDZ style on the PP to start that play.

Maybe we should call him up?

 

[Jarkko Immonen]

What a touch pass by Kreider and nice top shelf snipe by Fasth.

And LOLOLOLOL at Stu Pickles carrying the puck up ice MDZ style on the PP to start that play.

He jumped into the offense often in Springy last Saturday. It was really funny...and it even works sometimes! Haha. Great stuff from those guys though.

 

[Jarkko Immonen]

Imagine this Whale lineup with J.T. Miller in the mix. It's like a score at will forward group. My goodness.

 

[haohmaru]

HUGE difference is Tarasenko does not make 7 million a season.



You were way better off using Beuk as an example, did not play regular minutes in the NHL until he was 23. Using Chara because he's large and plays defense is what a hockey novice would compare MCI to.

Yeah, that's me, "hockey novice". Been watching since the 70's and still play 3x week in my mid 40's. Here's a dollar, buy a clue. Also, specifically stated twice that I wasn't comparing players, merely ages. Twisting that by throwing childish insults out just makes you look bad.

 

[JohnC]

Bickel on the PP is just a funny sight

Dig Talbot's Ghostbusters mask btw

Looks like Kreider goes to get the puck for Fast

 

[Bluenote13]

Yeah, that's me, "hockey novice". Been watching since the 70's and still play 3x week in my mid 40's. Here's a dollar, buy a clue. Also, specifically stated twice that I wasn't comparing players, merely ages.

Come on, you are a better person that that, no need to get childish.

You were saying 'look at Chara before 25'. There have been MANY huge Dmen who took 4 to 6 years to make it to the NHL. You didn't really have to use anyone, you could say 'big guys like that take awhile'. Yet you chose Chara. A player who really has no comparison, yet if you'd compare MCI to Beuk, it's same example of a guy doing nothing before 25, yet way more realistic perspective.

 

[BBKers]

Imagine this Whale lineup with J.T. Miller in the mix. It's like a score at will forward group. My goodness.

Add Nicholls, MSC and Lindberg too!!!

 

[bobbop]

I have it on good authority, from someone who follows the Whale religiously, that McIlrath will never be more than a 5/6 fighting defenseman. I'd like to disagree, as me and this fellow generally disagree on many things regarding the Rangers, but I have no basis to stand on, I haven't seen McIlrath play in a very long time.

Judging by what I'm told, and what I read here, I think he'll be given a shot in camp next season to compete, but will ultimately start the season in the AHL. I think the 13/14 season will see McIlrath get a call up or two for a cup of coffee at the NHL level. It will be the 14/15 season that sees McIlrath inserted into the Rangers top-6 as an NHL regular.

If the above scenario plays out, that is VERY disappointing, IMHO, for a #1 pick. But, defensemen surely do take longer to progress than forwards, especially those that specialize in the stay-at-home game.

With the #10 pick in the 2010 draft, the Rangers filled an organizational need that was empty since Beuk left. I have full confidence in McIlrath becoming a mean SOB at the NHL level who doesn't let anyone get near Lundqvist, and if they try to, they'll pay the price.

This is not consistent with what I have heard from my hockey contacts.

 

[Bluenote13]

I don't read his thing as a comparison because it's so shallow and obvious what he's trying to say and you're missing it I think on purpose. You are severely overexaggerating how much he's "comparing" McI with Chara. But he's feeding

Bottom line, Chara and MCI in same sentence is off limits while I'm in town

 

[Beacon]

Nobody paid attention to it, but Hrivik also scored a goal in his first game back. This team is downright vicious in its offensive ability. Kreider-Newbury-Fast is a monstrous first line, and having Thomas with Hrivik on the second line is just as good. This team should be averaging 4 goals a game in its current incarnation.

Also, Kreider got 2 assists, Noob had 3.

Jean was scratched. Has been pretty useless for a while after a hot start. He's gonna drop like a brick in the next prospect poll. Barring a massive rash of injuries or tremendous improvement in his play in practice, he may not play in the AHL the rest of this season. Keep in mind that this team will be adding Yogan (light injury), Lindberg and St. Croix, all of whom are likely ahead of Kyle Jean.

 

[JohnC]

Keep in mind that this team will be adding Yogan (light injury), Lindberg and St. Croix, all of whom are likely ahead of Kyle Jean.

Possibly Miller too. I think he's only with the Rangers still to get treatment for his wrist