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

[Levitate]

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.

The more I think about it though the more I think they have to end up re-signing Girardi. They don't have another player who can play the top minutes he does, even if he's not exactly perfect at it. Stralman can't handle those minutes, and if you go out to try to find someone via UFA to replace Girardi you'll probably spend at least as much to replace him with someone who might not be better. That being said, I haven't checked what D will be available this offseason

My guess is that they'll hang onto Moore and Stralman but yeah continue to try to move Del Zotto. He just feels like the odd man out here.

 

[Thirty One]

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.

I believe that you want to believe that.

 

[True Blue]

Verdict on McIlrath: Absolute slam dunk pick.

These are the Rangers. Tomas Kloucek ring a bell?

 

[True Blue]

The more I think about it though the more I think they have to end up re-signing Girardi.

Don't want to hijack the thread and not opining on whether Girardi should or should not be resigned, but he seems to epitomize the type of player whose flaws were masked under Torts. And who could excel in a specific type of system.

 

[Bluenote13]

He has that great wingspan, helps on the defensive side of those punches. I hope he uses that wingspan to play defense in the actual game, without taking high sticking penalties.

Not much of a tilt, Mcgrattan looked gassed even before the fight, but its always good to get the first one out of the way and be able to remember it.

 

[Edge]

Stay at home defenseman take longer to develop than most positions. The bigger and more raw they are, the longer it takes. McIlrath hits all of those criteria.

With that said, I think he's going to be fine so long as people set reasonable expectations for him. He's going to need time to learn the pro game, he's going to need time to learn better positioning and picking his spots when delivering a hit, he's going to need time to adjust as a fighter to the fact that he's not going to simply overpower guys at this level, etc.

 

[Pizza]

These are the Rangers. Tomas Kloucek ring a bell?

Lol, that is a very fair point. Especially when considering this franchise's record over the years.

The point being made was that in terms of what a player brings matched with what an organization needs, combined with what is available, these folks were certain that the Rangers made the right choice.

Anything could happen tomorrow.

We've had lots of discussions here about this. Mostly everyone agrees that the team needs to be tougher/tougher to play against. The question always lies in how to get there.

I often hear from many of you that players like Lucic, Chara, Backes, and Getzlaf don't grow on trees. Well, then by God when you get a chance draft one just for common sense sake.

 

[Pizza]

Stay at home defenseman take longer to develop than most positions. The bigger and more raw they are, the longer it takes. McIlrath hits all of those criteria.

With that said, I think he's going to be fine so long as people set reasonable expectations for him. He's going to need time to learn the pro game, he's going to need time to learn better positioning and picking his spots when delivering a hit, he's going to need time to adjust as a fighter to the fact that he's not going to simply overpower guys at this level, etc.

Well said.

My expectation is that it could take a solid three years for everything to really begin coming together. Where he consistently makes a positive impact game to game.

That would make him 24. Still very young for an NHL defenseman.

 

[Beacon]

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.

Yeah, but the people on this forum who never watched him assumed that he's just a goon whose upside is Dale Purinton and probable career is Stu Bickel.

 

[Inferno]

i thought he played MUCH better in his limited minutes tonight. good for him, hes getting better.

 

[Inferno]

i dont get the mdz hate tonight. he had 2 bad giveaways, but other than that played a really strong game.

if youre a defenseman, youre going to have giveaways. it happens to ryan mcdonagh all the time, nobody every comments on it because he makes 500 great plays that compensates for it.

mdz wasnt a problem tonight. the horrendous lack of effort in the first period, was.

very fortunate to pick up a win.

 

[Pizza]

Yeah, but the people on this forum who never watched him assumed that he's just a goon whose upside is Dale Purinton and probable career is Stu Bickel.

From what can be observed here, there are people who believe any guy that can handle himself physically and potentially intimidate the opposition....is worthless, talentless goon.

There are also people who think all Europeans or anyone under 5-10 are worthless, gutless softies.

The minority.

The majority actually watch a bit of hockey and try and make a thoughtful sorting out of what actually happens on the ice during a game.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

From what can be observed here, there are people who believe any guy that can handle himself physically and potentially intimidate the opposition....is worthless, talentless goon.

You are just making stuff up.

 

[Pizza]

You are just making stuff up.

You are entitled to your opinion.

 

[1Knee1T]

i dont get the mdz hate tonight. he had 2 bad giveaways, but other than that played a really strong game.

if youre a defenseman, youre going to have giveaways. it happens to ryan mcdonagh all the time, nobody every comments on it because he makes 500 great plays that compensates for it.

mdz wasnt a problem tonight. the horrendous lack of effort in the first period, was.

very fortunate to pick up a win.

Thank you. It seems to me that not enough people understand this.

 

[Thirty One]

You are entitled to your opinion.

No he isn't. You made that up too.

 

[Beacon]

These are the Rangers. Tomas Kloucek ring a bell?

He was a slam dunk until he got injured, which ruined his career.

 

[Pizza]

He was a slam dunk until he got injured, which ruined his career.

Perhaps what he meant was the hapless nature of Rangers luck.

Brian Leetch getting out of his cab, slipping on ice and breaking his ankle. In that sense, I totally get what he's saying.

 

[Thirty One]

Perhaps what he meant was the hapless nature of Rangers luck.

Brian Leetch getting out of his cab, slipping on ice and breaking his ankle. In that sense, I totally get what he's saying.

Brian Leetch had been getting out of cabs recklessly for years, he had that one coming.

 

[Beacon]

Perhaps what he meant was the hapless nature of Rangers luck.

Brian Leetch getting out of his cab, slipping on ice and breaking his ankle. In that sense, I totally get what he's saying.

If you go back enough years, you can find similar incidents in any franchise, but you won't remember what happened to the Senators or the Sharks 20 years ago.

 

[Pizza]

If you go back enough years, you can find similar incidents in any franchise, but you won't remember what happened to the Senators or the Sharks 20 years ago.

True enough. I only care about the Rangers.

 

[Pizza]

Brian Leetch had been getting out of cabs recklessly for years, he had that one coming.

Every one has it coming.

 

[Clown Fiesta]

Not surprised he played better last night given the fact he actually got a practice in unlike before his debut. Gradually give him more time and see how he handles it. The thing with McIlrath is he's but mentally weak and is humble about his game, those two things will help him get through the limited minutes. Since we've drafted him he's appeared to look at the big picture which is he'll eventually be an NHL regular he's just got to put his time in first.

If he turns into a legit NHL defenseman and I believe he will, he'll wear a letter for this team in the future. Awesome character and you hear that from everyone that's known him for any time.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Perhaps what he meant was the hapless nature of Rangers luck.

Brian Leetch getting out of his cab, slipping on ice and breaking his ankle. In that sense, I totally get what he's saying.

Brian Leetch was a drunk in his earlier days. That, much like everything else that can be attributed to Rangers "bad luck" or a "curse" is just another thing that occurred because of bad decisions.

 

[Vickers8]

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 agree, terrible again, like he is most nights