Emphasis on drafting speed and skill paying off for New York Rangers

[offdacrossbar]

Neither Kreider nor Stepan were 'safe' picks. That's complete crap. Why were they safe picks? Because Kreider had the size and strength at 18 to keep up? How many of those players don't make it? A ton.

Stepan was considered a project when he was drafted in the 2nd round. Not some safe 3rd liner.

Del Zotto, even if he didn't play another NHL game, would be considered a win.

lower the bar much ?

del zotto as a first rounder right now would not be considered anything more than a so-so pick at best. dudes a 5th year player and has been a healthy scratch lately and hes playing 3rd pair minutes ?

seriously ?

kreider and stepan, when drafted, both had the stuff to play in the nhl. kreider the raw size and skating and stepan the hands and hockey iq. both were good solid picks that i had no problem with whatsoever.

 

[Tawnos]

Any time you get a regular NHL player in the mid-late 1st round, it's a win. Aren't the numbers something like only half of first rounders play 300 NHL games? Also, everyone knows that DZ is a better player than he's been this year and isn't a healthy scratch player long term.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Neither Kreider nor Stepan were 'safe' picks. That's complete crap.

The Stepan pick was killed.

 

[NYR Viper]

lower the bar much ?

del zotto as a first rounder right now would not be considered anything more than a so-so pick at best. dudes a 5th year player and has been a healthy scratch lately and hes playing 3rd pair minutes ?

seriously ?

kreider and stepan, when drafted, both had the stuff to play in the nhl. kreider the raw size and skating and stepan the hands and hockey iq. both were good solid picks that i had no problem with whatsoever.

ODC That's complete crap. Kreider was a boom or bust prospect. If he was such a sure-thing why did he go #19?

How many 1st rounders play as many games as MDZ already in his short career? Not many.

People have unrealistic expectations for these picks.

Any time you get a regular NHL player in the mid-late 1st round, it's a win. Aren't the numbers something like only half of first rounders play 300 NHL games? Also, everyone knows that DZ is a better player than he's been this year and isn't a healthy scratch player long term.

This.

The Stepan pick was killed.

Exactly. I will never forget that day. Not a safe pick at all.

High hockey IQ. Slow footspeed, good passer, not much of a scorer, under-developed physically. He has been a gem.

 

[eco's bones]

The Rangers wanted McIlrath. If they were picking 7th or 8th instead of 10th I still think they would have taken him. They picked him before Fowler and Gormley--two defensemen who were much more hyped than McIlrath. It wasn't a pick made just on talent or about best player available. The Rangers saw Dylan as filling a need--a place he could fit into for a long time. If the same draft were done today it might be Fowler instead of McIlrath as I think they were figuring at that point that Del Zotto was going to be the real McCoy as far as a guy who could qb their pwp. But McIlrath was going to go in the top 15 and the Rangers did not think if they traded down they were going to get him.

 

[JimmyG89]

Could some one find the Stepan thread? I would enjoy reading it. Was not on here in 2008. Should be interesting to look back at the picks and initial discussion

 

[NYR Viper]

The Rangers wanted McIlrath. If they were picking 7th or 8th instead of 10th I still think they would have taken him. They picked him before Fowler and Gormley--two defensemen who were much more hyped than McIlrath. It wasn't a pick made just on talent or about best player available. The Rangers saw Dylan as filling a need--a place he could fit into for a long time. If the same draft were done today it might be Fowler instead of McIlrath as I think they were figuring at that point that Del Zotto was going to be the real McCoy as far as a guy who could qb their pwp. But McIlrath was going to go in the top 15 and the Rangers did not think if they traded down they were going to get him.

Pick # Player Nationality Position NHL team Team from League from

1 Taylor Hall Canada LW Edmonton Oilers Windsor Spitfires Ontario Hockey League

2 Tyler Seguin Canada C Boston Bruins (from Toronto)1 Plymouth Whalers Ontario Hockey League

3 Erik Gudbranson Canada D Florida Panthers Kingston Frontenacs Ontario Hockey League

4 Ryan Johansen Canada C Columbus Blue Jackets Portland Winterhawks Western Hockey League

5 Nino Niederreiter Switzerland LW New York Islanders Portland Winterhawks Western Hockey League

6 Brett Connolly Canada RW Tampa Bay Lightning Prince George Cougars Western Hockey League

7 Jeff Skinner Canada C Carolina Hurricanes Kitchener Rangers Ontario Hockey League

8 Alexander Burmistrov Russia C Atlanta Thrashers Barrie Colts Ontario Hockey League

9 Mikael Granlund Finland C Minnesota Wild HIFK SM-liiga (Finland)

10 Dylan McIlrath Canada D New York Rangers Moose Jaw Warriors Western Hockey League

11 Jack Campbell United States G Dallas Stars U.S. National U-18 Team United States Hockey League

12 Cam Fowler United States D Anaheim Ducks Windsor Spitfires Ontario Hockey League

13 Brandon Gormley Canada D Phoenix Coyotes (from Calgary)2 Moncton Wildcats Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

14 Jaden Schwartz Canada C St. Louis Blues Tri-City Storm United States Hockey League

15 Derek Forbort United States D Los Angeles Kings (from Boston via Florida)3 U.S. National U-18 Team United States Hockey League

16 Vladimir Tarasenko Russia C St. Louis Blues (from Ottawa)4 HC Sibir Novosibirsk Kontinental Hockey League (Russia)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NHL_Entry_Draft


Who are the players that have really made a huge difference out of those? One could argue, Hall, Seguin, maybe Fowler (although he isn't my cup of tea) and Tarasenko (who had other questions surrounding him).

Gudbranson has been good, not earth-shattering. On a bad team.

Ryan Johansen has had issues staying in the NHL up until this season. Has had some attitude and work ethic issues.

Niederiter has already been traded. Looks to finally be living up to some of the hype in Minnesota.

Connolly has been up and down from the AHL.

Skinner has had major injury concerns already.

Burmistrov left for the KHL already.

Granlund has had issues sticking in the NHL due to size.

McIlrath was our pick.

Campbell has been meh. Good on international stage, stats don't show the whole thing but he is a bit away.

Fowler had a great rookie season and has been meh since. Weak on the puck.

Gormley looks like a good pick. Not in the NHL.

Schwartz is an undersized offensive dynamo. Good pick.

Forbort does not look like a good pick.

Tarasenko had issues with the KHL that scared teams away.

Maybe the draft wasn't that good to begin with? Lot's of jumbling occurred in the top-10 that year towards the end as well.

 

[Tawnos]

I know the Rangers wanted McIlrath, but I always wonder what would've happened if another D was taken 4-9. The Rangers would've had the option of one of Johansen, Neiderreiter, Connolly, Skinner, Burmistrov, or Grandlund. For a team going into a draft who could've used another forward, the top 10 went as badly as it could.

 

[offdacrossbar]

The Rangers wanted McIlrath. If they were picking 7th or 8th instead of 10th I still think they would have taken him. They picked him before Fowler and Gormley--two defensemen who were much more hyped than McIlrath. It wasn't a pick made just on talent or about best player available. The Rangers saw Dylan as filling a need--a place he could fit into for a long time. If the same draft were done today it might be Fowler instead of McIlrath as I think they were figuring at that point that Del Zotto was going to be the real McCoy as far as a guy who could qb their pwp. But McIlrath was going to go in the top 15 and the Rangers did not think if they traded down they were going to get him.

weve been around and around on this.

they fell in love. and he filled a future need. both no-no's when it comes to drafting kids to play pro sports.

you take the BPA when you step to the podium. end of story.

you rank players by position on your board. was mcilrath the BPA at 10 ? at that pick, i submit he was not. he was the guy we wanted and we chose him.

you dont take a kid because someone else might. you take a kid because hes the best kid available when you are up. you can always find a spot for pure talent.

we reached.

now lets hope he realizes the potential that gordie talks about.

 

[NYR Viper]

I know the Rangers wanted McIlrath, but I always wonder what would've happened if another D was taken 4-9. The Rangers would've had the option of one of Johansen, Neiderreiter, Connolly, Skinner, Burmistrov, or Grandlund. For a team going into a draft who could've used another forward, the top 10 went as badly as it could.

Although in hindsight, none of those players have really set the world on fire.

 

[Tawnos]

Although in hindsight, none of those players have really set the world on fire.

Just like it is for McI, it's really still too early to judge. I will say this, every one of them is an NHL caliber player. We will see.

 

[NYR Viper]

Just like it is for McI, it's really still too early to judge. I will say this, every one of them is an NHL caliber player.

Exactly. McIlrath may have been in the NHL on other NHL teas this season as well. Different circumstances. He also plays defense. They take longer to develop.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Exactly. McIlrath may have been in the NHL on other NHL teas this season as well. Different circumstances. He also plays defense. They take longer to develop.

Who knows - his injury set him back.

I havent watched McIlrath in the AHL this season, but he was so frighteningly bad in his one NHL pre-season game this season, I find it hard to believe hes near NHL ready at this point.

 

[Raspewtin]

Who knows - his injury set him back.

I havent watched McIlrath in the AHL this season, but he was so frighteningly bad in his one NHL pre-season game this season, I find it hard to believe hes near NHL ready at this point.

He's having a great year with the Whale, that one preseason game means nothing.

 

[NYR Viper]

He's having a great year with the Whale, that one preseason game means nothing.

Kreider was bad in a pre-season game. So were a lot of NHL regulars.

 

[Alluckks]

For those still complaining about Stepan...

He has 16 points in 21 games, this is also with his shooting percentage being well below his norm.

So even if he doesn't look like the person that we saw last year yet, and we can expect him to get back there, he is still producing at a 60+ point pace. That is with a markedly low shooting %, no training camp, missing viable wingers for the first part of the season, etc.

Like it or not, Stepan still has portrayed a 1st line center this year.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

For those still complaining about Stepan...

He has 16 points in 21 games, this is also with his shooting percentage being well below his norm.

So even if he doesn't look like the person that we saw last year yet, and we can expect him to get back there, he is still producing at a 60+ point pace. That is with a markedly low shooting %, no training camp, missing viable wingers for the first part of the season, etc.

Like it or not, Stepan still has portrayed a 1st line center this year.

I don't think people are complaining about Stepan.

 

[NYR Viper]

For those still complaining about Stepan...

He has 16 points in 21 games, this is also with his shooting percentage being well below his norm.

So even if he doesn't look like the person that we saw last year yet, and we can expect him to get back there, he is still producing at a 60+ point pace. That is with a markedly low shooting %, no training camp, missing viable wingers for the first part of the season, etc.

Like it or not, Stepan still has portrayed a 1st line center this year.

Yep. Another piece of evidence would be going to look at NHL.com stats page and realizing he is #44 on the list, but quite a few of those "centers' actually play wing full time.

Pretty easily a #1 center.

 

[offdacrossbar]

for a 2nd rounder, step has been progressing quite nicely.

hes streaky and his skating isnt quite what i would like, but for the most part, hes been as good or better than i ever expected when he was drafted.

hes a solid 2c at this point in his young career.

absolutely no problem with this kids overall game.

 

[eco's bones]

weve been around and around on this.

they fell in love. and he filled a future need. both no-no's when it comes to drafting kids to play pro sports.

you take the BPA when you step to the podium. end of story.

you rank players by position on your board. was mcilrath the BPA at 10 ? at that pick, i submit he was not. he was the guy we wanted and we chose him.

you dont take a kid because someone else might. you take a kid because hes the best kid available when you are up. you can always find a spot for pure talent.

we reached.

now lets hope he realizes the potential that gordie talks about.

Whether it was the right pick or not the Rangers were going to make that pick. Deciding between an obviously very talented Russian winger and a gnarly behemoth stay at home defenseman--depends somewhat on what you want. Best player available? Sometimes there's no way of telling. Tarasenko and McIlrath have completely different jobs--completely different background--completely different uses. Rangers--Gordie Clark--obviously thought McIlrath--if not the best player available was the best option available. Looking at the top 16 list I definitely would prefer McIlrath to a number of them--Johansen, maybe Neiderreiter, maybe Connolly, probably Skinner (because of his concussion issues I don't see a long career), Burmistrov, Granlund, Campbell, I'm not a fan of Fowler, Gormley and Forbort.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

weve been around and around on this.

they fell in love. and he filled a future need. both no-no's when it comes to drafting kids to play pro sports.

you take the BPA when you step to the podium. end of story.

you rank players by position on your board. was mcilrath the BPA at 10 ? at that pick, i submit he was not. he was the guy we wanted and we chose him.

you dont take a kid because someone else might. you take a kid because hes the best kid available when you are up. you can always find a spot for pure talent.

we reached.

now lets hope he realizes the potential that gordie talks about.

Maybe in your opinion he wasn't BPA, but your opinion, quite frankly, means jack squat. The Rangers probably had him as their #1 ranked player remaining in the draft. Also, a future need? The Rangers had a punishing, 6'5 crease clearer in 2010?

 

[Thirty One]

Maybe in your opinion he wasn't BPA, but your opinion, quite frankly, means jack squat. The Rangers probably had him as their #1 ranked player remaining in the draft. Also, a future need? The Rangers had a punishing, 6'5 crease clearer in 2010?

I'll try to find the interview, but Gordie Clark basically admitted he thought there were better players available but the Rangers wanted more jam/balls/gusto/snarl/truculence.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I'll try to find the interview, but Gordie Clark basically admitted he thought there were better players available but the Rangers wanted more jam/balls/gusto/snarl/truculence.

I've watched a ton of videos where Clark talked about McIlrath. I think he thought there might have been better current players available, but he seemed to be very, very excited about his potential upside.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

He's having a great year with the Whale, that one preseason game means nothing.

Well, it was his only game against actual NHL'ers, and he looked completely overwhelmed against that sort of competition.

Doesn't mean a whole lot, but it also doesnt mean nothing.

 

[offdacrossbar]

Maybe in your opinion he wasn't BPA, but your opinion, quite frankly, means jack squat. The Rangers probably had him as their #1 ranked player remaining in the draft. Also, a future need? The Rangers had a punishing, 6'5 crease clearer in 2010?

for the record, your opinion = my opinion. capice.

if they had him as their #1 ranked player remaining in the draft at #10 then thats a reach. and that is my opinion but one shared by many and im not even talking on this site.

you draft the BPA. he was not, according to all of the 2010 draft ranking resources, the BPA at 10. and of course, they know nothing right ? just their opinion which means jack squat. right ?

believe what you wish. i choose to believe gordie fell in love with the kid and was going to take him no matter what and no matter who was left. he was their main target and had he not been there, they would have gone with choice 2 and so on down the line.

he was their guy all along and that smacks of hugh jessiman to me.