Recalled/Assigned: Rangers recall Dylan McIlrath (Reassigned 12/19)

[Pizza]

That would be huge for this team.

Sauer was REALLY good imo, so maybe that is setting the bar a little high. Even so, if McIlrath can get close it would be tremendous. It may be a little slow, but I really think he can get there

 

[Cake or Death]

Sauer was REALLY good imo, so maybe that is setting the bar a little high. Even so, if McIlrath can get close it would be tremendous. It may be a little slow, but I really think he can get there

Totally agree, Sauer was REALLY good. When I read your post, my initial thought in my head was exactly this: "Even if McIlrath could be 85-90 percent of what Sauer was, it would be huge for the team."

 

[Ola]

Mcilrath is a very good defensive fighter, thats why I didnt really worry about him with all the fights he gets in. He rarely takes big blows or exposes himself.

If Mcgratton is the best the NHL can offer, Id say McIlrath is going to be fine

He going to become a monster!

 

[Ola]

And that will describe most of his season but it's not terrible for him to watch how NHL players work up close for a short stretch.

Agreed for sure.

You play "82" games because that number is deemed to earn billionaires the most money, not because it's the magical number of games for a kid to play to develop. 82 games is definitely on the high side. I wouldn't worry at all about a kid that played "only" 40 games as long as the kid was healthy and could work out off the ice.

 

[egelband]

Most of what one learns in the NHL happens in practice, not in games. Just because we don't watch those, doesn't mean they don't matter.

Thank you. I bristle at the assertion that a player needs X mins/game or they will be forever ruined. Everyone's different. I'll trust the guys who know Dylan to manage his development. I know the Rangers aren't perfect and everyone's welcome to opine. But I would like him to stay up for good unless he just monumentally *****-the-bed.

 

[Orr Nightmare]

I was at the game and watched every second he was on the ice...focusing on him and ignoring the rest of the play...the kid is going to be a legit player in this league...he needs to be better with his decision making but I remember saying the same thing about McDonagh when he first came up...the speed always catches guys off guard.

He was the one engaging McGratten which is what I feared but he is a legit heavyweight @ 21 years old...I don't want him fighting those guys..he will learn to pick his spots the way Lucic does...but Lucic is the one guy I want him to fight.

Kreider was a beast last night.

“That fight was huge,” fellow rookie Chris Kreider said. “Putting himself out like that in his first NHL fight against a person of that caliber. I don’t know a lot about that side of the game but it’s pretty impressive.”

“I thought that was a very courageous thing to do,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “That’s a very big opponent there and a young man that was testing that opponent. I thought he did a good job of holding his own during the fight. I’m not really sure a fight one way or the other has that impact but I do think it brings a little bit of emotion to the game and it certainly didn’t hurt.”

 

[Anthony Mauro]

I was at the game and watched every second he was on the ice...focusing on him and ignoring the rest of the play...the kid is going to be a legit player in this league...he needs to be better with his decision making but I remember saying the same thing about McDonagh when he first came up...the speed always catches guys off guard.

He was the one engaging McGratten which is what I feared but he is a legit heavyweight @ 21 years old...I don't want him fighting those guys..he will learn to pick his spots the way Lucic does...but Lucic is the one guy I want him to fightâ€

To your point, rookie AHL callups always look like they have sea legs at first. Ortmeyer looked like a fish out of water before truly showing his skating as a strength.

Like everyone is saying, he is still light for his height. He isn't done growing into his body, and is still gaining pro hockey experience. Seeing him getting overpowered at times in the NHL is a scary thing - in a good and positive way.

After seeing many busts in my time, DM is about the only prospect left I'd give all the time in the world he needs to develop. He's a rare case.

 

[Savant]

He does quite a bit of that actually. Saw some good material on that over the summer.

#legday

 

[True Blue]

That's great, but playing 20+ minutes a night helps a lot too in all game situations.

Agreed, playing the kid like a 5 minute per night goon is not the answer.

 

[True Blue]

I'll trust the guys who know Dylan to manage his development.

Rangers track record for development is scary

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I though he definitely looked like he was settling in last night. Taking his time with the puck a bit more. Less scrambling in the dzone.

He was far from flawless and he only played 5 min. But you can see the potential.

 

[silverfish]

Definitely looked better last night than against CBJ. Him and Del Zotto were hilarious on that one breakaway that CGY had. Wake up and communicate, guys.

Respect the hell out of him for taking on McGrattan. Wow.

I'd say give him the Pens game and the Islanders game, and if he stays about where he was last night, get him back to Hartford and keep him there for the rest of the year. Playing a few games at NHL speed will do wonders for him at the AHL level, especially if he can keep improving from game to game up here with the Rangers.

We're at home for all these games. Protect his minutes. Offensive zone starts, defensive zone starts against teams third and fourth lines. Tell him he doesn't have to fight every game. Don't let him get stuck on the ice against Crosby... unless he can catch Sid with his head down

(For a big hit, not wishing injury)

 

[Levitate]

I though he definitely looked like he was settling in last night. Taking his time with the puck a bit more. Less scrambling in the dzone.

He was far from flawless and he only played 5 min. But you can see the potential.

He moves pretty well out there for a big guy, a lot more fluid than I'd expect, and he made some pretty decent plays with the puck in his own zone. One in particular was a good short pass to the open forward when he was surrounded by players, rather than trying to bang it up the boards. That was the most I noticed other than the time he and Faulk let a guy get behind them for a long breakaway pass...

I'd like to see him get more minutes but since they went down quickly and it was a tight game, I'm not surprised he was basically only out against Calgary's 4th line.

I expect that he stays up until Staal comes back and then will be sent back down, but this is probably good for him in the long run.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I think its quite obvious he needs more time in the AHL.

Just because this team needs toughness on the back-end, doesnt mean it should come at the behest of McIlrath's development of being able to take a consistent NHL defensive shift -- something he doesn't seem ready for at this point.

 

[Orr Nightmare]

I think its quite obvious he needs more time in the AHL.

Just because this team needs toughness on the back-end, doesnt mean it should come at the behest of McIlrath's development of being able to take a consistent NHL defensive shift -- something he doesn't seem ready for at this point.

Del Zotto doesn't seem to be ready to do at this point as well.

Del Zotto was awful last night...watching the game live...you really get to appreciate how bad he is.

 

[NYR Viper]

I think its quite obvious he needs more time in the AHL.

Just because this team needs toughness on the back-end, doesnt mean it should come at the behest of McIlrath's development of being able to take a consistent NHL defensive shift -- something he doesn't seem ready for at this point.

I agree. He got some NHL game and practice time. If he is only going to play a few minutes, send him back.

 

[TheRedressor]

Del Zotto doesn't seem to be ready to do at this point as well.

Del Zotto was awful last night...watching the game live...you really get to appreciate how bad he is.

I couldn't agree with this more. I went to California for the road trip at the begining of the season. Through the 3 games he was clearly the worst defenseman on the ice on both sides. His desicion making is mind boggling.

 

[Trxjw]

Can't blame AV for not giving him a lot of ice once the game was tied up. Especially with 7 defenders on the bench. He looked better than he did in the first game, but still has some areas to improve on. I'm pleased that his skating looks on par with other NHLers. He looked good in the AHL, but until you see him at this level, you just can't tell. Very commendable that he went toe-to-toe with arguably the most feared fighter in the league today.

Give him a couple more games and hopefully bump up his time, then send him back to Hartford so he can keep developing well.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Del Zotto doesn't seem to be ready to do at this point as well.

Del Zotto was awful last night...watching the game live...you really get to appreciate how bad he is.

Im no Del Zotto fan, but he played over 21 minutes and was a +2, but something tells me you think McIlrath's 5 minutes of ice time and a fight were more valuable.

 

[Pizza]

What everyone will soon realize is that his skating if anything has been underestimated. Along with other parts of his game. After he was drafted, I was introduced to some folks in Canada who know the game and had watched him an awful lot. I was reviewing notes from the discussions after the game last night.

Verdict on McIlrath: Absolute slam dunk pick.

Very rare combination of base skill level and potential, poise/maturity, tremendous overall athletic ability, mindset/willingness to work and learn, leadership qualities, size/wing span, and of course the mean streak/intimidation factor was off the chart.

Here is the thing, when he was drafted and even more so now, the Rangers had/have no one remotely comparable to him or available to them. Last night re enforced and really brought that point home.

I'm not so sure he isn't here to stay.

 

[egelband]

saw the fight...i liked Dylan's attitude. he lost the decision but seemed to enjoy it. he's obviously game. this is exactly the swagger the rangers need. he could loosen the team up with his attitude and give them some confidence and maybe even, amazingly, inspire others to play with some more spine. like it!

 

[Orr Nightmare]

Im no Del Zotto fan, but he played over 21 minutes and was a +2, but something tells me you think McIlrath's 5 minutes of ice time and a fight were more valuable.

+2, he must have been great then...my fault.

There are things you see live that the camera's don't always get and vice versa, I don't want the kid to be bad but he just is.

Falk was very chippy to start the game....pouncing on the few smaller guys the Flames have...McGratten comes on the ice and has a little chat with Falk..the chippy play from Falk stops...

McIlrath then begins to engage McGratten which is crazy in its own right...the kid showed no fear vs. The biggest and the best.

I think AV made a mistake not using him more I understand why he didn't. Once he understands the speed better and makes quicker decisions he wll be in the top four very soon.

Del Zotto pinned the Rangers in their zone several times.

 

[Levitate]

What everyone will soon realize is that his skating if anything has been underestimated. Along with other parts of his game. After he was drafted, I was introduced to some folks in Canada who know the game and had watched him an awful lot. I was reviewing notes from the discussions after the game last night.

Verdict on McIlrath: Absolute slam dunk pick.

Very rare combination of base skill level and potential, poise/maturity, tremendous overall athletic ability, mindset/willingness to work and learn, leadership qualities, size/wing span, and of course the mean streak/intimidation factor was off the chart.

Here is the thing, when he was drafted and even more so now, the Rangers had/have no one remotely comparable to him or available to them. Last night re enforced and really brought that point home.

I'm not so sure he isn't here to stay.

I dont' think we've seen enough of him to say any of that. He has 8 minutes in the first game where he made a pretty bad read that cost them a goal (but honestly I'm not gonna be hard on him for that, the rest of his team had time to get back and help out on that 3 on 1) and 5 minutes last night where he was used exclusively against the other teams 4th line.

Really just haven't seen enough of him to know whether he can stick now or needs more time. AV has to decide whether he trusts McIlrath enough to give him some real minutes and see how it goes. Like I said I think they'll keep him up at least until Staal comes back, maybe until the end of this home stretch even if Staal returns before then.

That said, it wouldn't surprise me if in a year or two people are underestimating his play and he's developed into a good 2nd pairing player with the physical side everyone knows about. If there's one thing about McIlrath it's that he seems to be a smart, hard working player who's always trying to get better.

e: I can imagine in the future him being a quite good player that everyone still thinks is just a goon until they notice how he plays

 

[slipknottin]

I don't think any of us would be shocked if a DMan was moved soon.

Mcilrath may be handed a spot. Hard to know at this point. But they do have to have him ready for next year. It's unlikely all the D will return.

 

[Ail]

Im no Del Zotto fan, but he played over 21 minutes and was a +2, but something tells me you think McIlrath's 5 minutes of ice time and a fight were more valuable.

Yeah but, toffnuss.

That was a decent fight though. At least watchable, unlike most of the rest of the game.