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Ryan McDonagh

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Captain Monglobster

Captain Monglobster

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Nov 9, 2005
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What will it take for him to clear the crease? Serious question, I'm getting tired of seeing him stand next to, or in tonight's case completely ignore a 6'whatever forward screening Lundqvist.

I understand on the PK they want to rotate and take away passing lanes, but good god clearing the crease used to be fundamentals for a Dman.

His play overall has been good, not as good as last year, but this specific aspect of his game has got me scratching my head.
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Captain Monglobster said:
What will it take for him to clear the crease? Serious question, I'm getting tired of seeing him stand next to, or in tonight's case completely ignore a 6'whatever forward screening Lundqvist.

I understand on the PK they want to rotate and take away passing lanes, but good god clearing the crease used to be fundamentals for a Dman.

His play overall has been good, not as good as last year, but this specific aspect of his game has got me scratching my head.
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He did absolutely NOTHING wrong on that play. His defensive partner, Dan Girardi went strolling away from the net for some reason and left McD in the middle of two men. Yes he did has responsibly of the passing lane. If he does to clear the crease then he leave the back door completely wide open for an easy goal.

If you going to bash McD, at least use a good example cause the one you used he did nothing wrong. Girardi was the one that should have taken care of that guy.

DANNY.jpg
 
Green Blob might be right. Shouldn't McD be worrying about #4 over there? Girardi went for a stroll.

But the OP is correct. This team needs to be tougher in front of both nets.
 
Pointing out one of a player's flaws is bashing? Ok.

Tonight wasn't the first time nor the prime example. The Rangers will rotate their PKer's and a Dman will end up where Girardi is. I know this. If you haven't noticed McDonagh allowing a player to screen Lundqvist before tonight then keep an eye out for it, because it will happen again - like this game in Ottawa:

8633866864_840a51ecd3_z.jpg
 
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McD took a step back this year. But this isn't entirely unexpected. He isn't engaging as consistently and forcing himself onto the outcome of the game like he did last season. No amazing passes, no slashes toward the net, and he hasn't played nearly as physical. Last season he held the puck through the neutral zone and was making some great plays at the opposing blue line. This year the puck is off his stick long before then, and all too often onto the stick of a player standing still or about to skate into traffic.
 
Green Blob said:
He did absolutely NOTHING wrong on that play. His defensive partner, Dan Girardi went strolling away from the net for some reason and left McD in the middle of two men. Yes he did has responsibly of the passing lane. If he does to clear the crease then he leave the back door completely wide open for an easy goal.

If you going to bash McD, at least use a good example cause the one you used he did nothing wrong. Girardi was the one that should have taken care of that guy.

DANNY.jpg
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Not always. Some teams have their D pinch up on that guy like that so he doesn't have a free lane to the net. When Girardi steps up like that everyone has to slide over (McDonagh) and down (Boyle to block the passing lane, which if you look at the picture, his stick is in the process of moving into the lane). It's a diamond.
 
^ thats not really bad positioning, considering there's a guy back door and kessel is shooting from that angle.. G block shot machine, he has to challenge the shooter there.. and hank should be able to handle that screen or no screen.. just an unfortunate situation.. its the PP, we're out numbered..hard to defend.. Mcd's an amazing defender and I'd keep my eye out on Johnny moore, guy has similar characteristics as MCD.. Sometimes i get confused when watching, theyre very similar..

but DZ and G during the game had lapses which we're game changers.. Kessel's second goal and James van's goal.. its unfortunate but **** happens.. can't win them all..
 
Whether that specific example is valid or not, McDonagh's lack of ever clearing the crease is a legitimate concern, and the biggest flaw in an otherwise impressive set of skills. Nobody on the Rangers does it, though. Even Staal, who's probably our best at it, only does it sometimes. It's infuriating.

The good news, it's a real tangible thing that can be improved on. Just ****ing do it.
 
Zamboner said:
Whether that specific example is valid or not, McDonagh's lack of ever clearing the crease is legitimate, and the biggest flaw in an otherwise impressive set of skills. Nobody on the Rangers does. Even Staal, who's probably our best at it, only does it sometimes. It's infuriating.
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The Rangers choose to front the player and try to block the shot and not screen Hank. That is a team-wide strategy.
 
Great players learn from mistakes and build off of it.

No doubt McD has struggled at times. But lets be thankful its in a half season and hes only 23. Hell be just fine. Hell learn how to get more effective in front. Hes honing the physical part of his game. That comes with time in this league for young defenders.
 
Are people really finding a way to complain about McD now? Jesus, why can't we be happy with any players that we have right now other than Stepan and Nash. Nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, what a joke. McD is an absolute stud and thats all there is to it.
 
SauceCheese91 said:
Are people really finding a way to complain about McD now? Jesus, why can't we be happy with any players that we have right now other than Stepan and Nash. Nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, what a joke. McD is an absolute stud and thats all there is to it.
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Is McDonagh as good as Bobby Orr? No, he has things that he needs to improve upon, like every other young player who ever put on skates. Pointing out what those things are is perfectly acceptable, and in no way does it diminish how much one likes a player. McDonagh is a fan favorite for good reason, but he's not perfect and I don't think it's unfair to say that his development slowed a bit this season.
 
I think being on a winning team is a big factor in development. Last year McD made a huge jump, but we're not winning nearly as much and his development has slowed. Look at Seguin vs. Hall. Sure, there were Hall's injuries, Seguin playing with Bergeron, etc. but you can't rule out the possibility that if Hall played on a contender he would be a much better player now.
 
Captain Monglobster said:
Pointing out one of a player's flaws is bashing? Ok.

Tonight wasn't the first time nor the prime example. The Rangers will rotate their PKer's and a Dman will end up where Girardi is. I know this. If you haven't noticed McDonagh allowing a player to screen Lundqvist before tonight then keep an eye out for it, because it will happen again - like this game in Ottawa:

8633866864_840a51ecd3_z.jpg
Click to expand...

This diagram is very deep and I don't think the average hockey fan would be able to understand what it is you are illustrating here.
 
Ailurophile said:
This diagram is very deep and I don't think the average hockey fan would be able to understand what it is you are illustrating here.
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I can add more arrows and colors if needed.

I'm a huge McDonagh fan and have literally no other complaints about his game. No he's not perfect but he shows immense promise and will hopefully anchor the blueline for years. It is definitely a team-wide issue with clearing the crease, but I've seen it happen more with McD than others this year.
 
The problem isn't McD taking a step back, it's Girardi who's taken a significant step back since the last month of last season defensively.
 
BlueshirtBlitz said:
The problem isn't McD taking a step back, it's Girardi who's taken a significant step back since the last month of last season defensively.
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Last night Del Zotto was with Girardi and looked horrible, except on the PK where McDonagh was with Girardi and looked horrible.

Might be a pattern here :laugh:
 
I dont understand why McD isnt used on the PP but DG is?

McD has much better offensive skills(and still developing) then DG and if he ****s up he has the skating ability to recover so it's not like hes a liability out there.

He's one of the best i've seen with the puck at the blue line, making those nifty moves to get around a player or to open a shooting lane.

PUT the kid on the PP already Torts! Girardi does nothing out there. I've been yelling at my TV screen for over a year now for him to get real PP time.

Oh yea, McD can actually skate with the puck too.
 
Green Blob said:
I dont understand why McD isnt used on the PP but DG is?

McD has much better offensive skills(and still developing) then DG and if he ****s up he has the skating ability to recover so it's not like hes a liability out there.

He's one of the best i've seen with the puck at the blue line, making those nifty moves to get around a player or to open a shooting lane.

PUT the kid on the PP already Torts! Girardi does nothing out there. I've been yelling at my TV screen for over a year now for him to get real PP time.

Oh yea, McD can actually skate with the puck too.
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At this point I don't even understand the horrible logic behind Girardi being out there. It should always be one of DZ/McD/Stralman/Staal (when healthy. And, honestly, at this point ****ing Eminger and Moore would be more useful than Girardi.
 
Green Blob said:
I dont understand why McD isnt used on the PP but DG is?

McD has much better offensive skills(and still developing) then DG and if he ****s up he has the skating ability to recover so it's not like hes a liability out there.

He's one of the best i've seen with the puck at the blue line, making those nifty moves to get around a player or to open a shooting lane.

PUT the kid on the PP already Torts! Girardi does nothing out there. I've been yelling at my TV screen for over a year now for him to get real PP time.

Oh yea, McD can actually skate with the puck too.
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This makes too much sense, so, more Boyle and Girardi.
 
I must come clean: I did not see the first two periods. From what I did see for the rest of the game, McDonagh played like dog ****. He seemed utterly weak.
 
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