Talk Slowly and Use Small Words, its the Michael Del Zotto Thread

[haohmaru]

I've played L D primarily for many years and switching to R (as a left handed D) presents a few challenges. Biggest problem is that you're more than likely defending an opposing F on his strong side (ie... Your defensive backhand is defending his forehand when he's coming down the ice, shooting, and stick handling). It's a huge, huge disadvantage. Only good thing about playing on your weak side is having a better shot down the middle and defending the center of the ice on your strong side but you're still trying to clear the zone through more bodies instead of up the boards. It's simply difficult to do. Well.

 

[Cake or Death]

I've played L D primarily for many years and switching to R (as a left handed D) presents a few challenges. Biggest problem is that you're more than likely defending an opposing F on his strong side (ie... Your defensive backhand is defending his forehand when he's coming down the ice, shooting, and stick handling). It's a huge, huge disadvantage. Only good thing about playing on your weak side is having a better shot down the middle and defending the center of the ice on your strong side but you're still trying to clear the zone through more bodies instead of up the boards. It's simply difficult to do. Well.

I disagree--hockey players in the NHL have problems all the time when they are shifted away from their normal position. We've all seen it. There's very little room for error in the NHL and going against what's natural for a player can mean there is a large difference in production and level of play. Del Zotto wasn't moved over because it put in a better position to succeed, he got moved because the organization lacks the proper player to put in that position. This experiment has been going on since last season and it's not working up to this point.

Hmm... I'll have to assume you guys are likely far more correct about this than I am. I played in the 80s and early 90s. The game was much, much slower then and there was much more time to think and adjust. Your points make sense, and having so much less time would definitely magnify even the slightest of challenges. I still think a lot of this is in DZ's head, but your points are well taken and I will def adjust my thinking on the matter.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

Hmm... I'll have to assume you guys are likely far more correct about this than I am. I played in the 80s and early 90s. The game was much, much slower then and there was much more time to think and adjust. Your points make sense, and having so much less time would definitely magnify even the slightest of challenges. I still think a lot of this is in DZ's head, but your points are well taken and I will def adjust my thinking on the matter.

The why of this problem is much less important than the fact that there is a problem--Del Zotto isn't playing to his potential on the right side. It's very much the speed of the game--I suspect there are a lot of players having problems keeping up (as much mentially as physically). And it makes thinking that much harder because there is less time to process the game.

Del Zotto definitely has enough talent to play in this league--he just has to find the correct spot. And it's going to be on the left side. The question is whether this coach is willing to experiment with a different player 20+ games into the season.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I think being stuck behind McDonagh/Staal is really hurting his game. Notice how his best season came in 11-12 when Staal was injured half the year and in a third pairing role the other half. Would be interesting to see what Del Zotto would look like next to McDonagh. Can't be worse than what Girardi has done this season...

McDonagh-Del Zotto
Staal-Stralman
Moore-Girardi

 

[Emptyvoid]

I think being stuck behind McDonagh/Staal is really hurting his game. Notice how his best season came in 11-12 when Staal was injured half the year and in a third pairing role the other half. Would be interesting to see what Del Zotto would look like next to McDonagh. Can't be worse than what Girardi has done this season...

McDonagh-Del Zotto
Staal-Stralman
Moore-Girardi

I'd be afraid to do that, I feel it'd have a detrimental effect on McD's offensive game. Girardi does a fine job covering for McD, can't say MDZ will do the same.

Still worth a shot though, chemistry can be a tricky thing.

 

[The Gloaming]

As long as Del Zotto - Girardi are NEVER on the ice together, I don't care what the D pairs look like.

 

[Megaterio Llamas]

Greetings from Vancouver. Going into the season, I predicted that Michael Del Zotto would be centered out by Vig for the whipping boy/scapegoat role. This role, crucial in the Vig system, was filled by Keith Ballard for three years here in Vancouver.

I was just wondering if you folks could tell me; how is my prediction holding up?

 

[Mikos87]

Greetings from Vancouver. Going into the season, I predicted that Michael Del Zotto would be centered out by Vig for the whipping boy/scapegoat role. This role, crucial in the Vig system, was filled by Keith Ballard for three years here in Vancouver.

I was just wondering if you folks could tell me; how is my prediction holding up?

He's on the verge of giving Lundqvist the Bobby Lou treatment too. It's like he needs to relive his old hockey days where he was no. 7 defensemen, except with him as coach the no. 7 plays over the proven no 4.

On top of that he's giving his Frenchie homeboys in Brassard and Pouliot ice time over and over again even though they can't check or score or play with consistency.

 

[Megaterio Llamas]

He's on the verge of giving Lundqvist the Bobby Lou treatment too. It's like he needs to relive his old hockey days where he was no. 7 defensemen, except with him as coach the no. 7 plays over the proven no 4.

On top of that he's giving his Frenchie homeboys in Brassard and Pouliot ice time over and over again even though they can't check or score or play with consistency.

Lol, thanks. Looks like you're seeing the tried and true Vig already. Del Zotto, if he does wind up as the whipping boy, needs to get his agent on the phone with Sather asap. Vig will ruin his career, turn him into a compliance buyout like poor Ballard. The journeyman defenseman of choice here was Aaron Rome, glad to see he's in form on that score as well. The whipping boy thing is a Scotty Bowman tactic; Vig of course, believes he is the reincarnation of Scotty. The favored Frenchie roles were filled by Maxim Lapierre and Alexandre Burrows. Burrows nearly always played on the first line with the Sedins. Referees hate Vig too, don't expect any breaks from them during his Ranger tenure.

Good luck!

 

[RangersHank*]

They should try DZ at LD for a few games just to see what happens. Not sure what the rush is

 

[Megaterio Llamas]

They should try DZ at LD for a few games just to see what happens. Not sure what the rush is

Vig does like to play his whipping boy out of position to help break down his confidence. Ballard, of course, went through this as well.

 

[JohnC]

Vig does like to play his whipping boy out of position to help break down his confidence. Ballard, of course, went through this as well.

Torts did it with Del Zotto too. AV is not this team's problems right now nor has he been

 

[Calad]

Greetings from Vancouver. Going into the season, I predicted that Michael Del Zotto would be centered out by Vig for the whipping boy/scapegoat role. This role, crucial in the Vig system, was filled by Keith Ballard for three years here in Vancouver.

I was just wondering if you folks could tell me; how is my prediction holding up?

He hasn't been given big minutes because of the depth we have on LD, and he has not played consistently well on the right side on the 3rd pair (being given sheltered minutes to adjust to playing the right side, i assume). He played top4 minutes for us and played damn well when Staal was out and we had to depend on him. The circumstance we have here is not one MDZ can thrive in. With John Moore having a rough couple games I'd like to see MDZ play the left side on the 3rd pair and see if that picks up his game some.

But ultimately to answer your question, AV has not publicly criticized or ridiculed MDZ at all. Misused maybe, but Torts was doing the same when he had all his guys available.

 

[Cake or Death]

Greetings from Vancouver. Going into the season, I predicted that Michael Del Zotto would be centered out by Vig for the whipping boy/scapegoat role. This role, crucial in the Vig system, was filled by Keith Ballard for three years here in Vancouver.

I was just wondering if you folks could tell me; how is my prediction holding up?

Looks to me like Torts is playing Ballard about the exact same less than 16 minutes a game as AV did, so maybe there's something to that.

 

[JHS]

Is it beginning to look like MDZ is maybe just not as good as some ranger fans would like to believe? His skills have not improved, he's never been allowed to be a true offensive defenseman and he is very poor as an actual defenseman. I hate to watch this guy melt away without either giving him one final chance( much like they just did with Zuc's) or its time to trade him. Just benching him day after day is not really the best.

 

[RangerBoy]

Vig does like to play his whipping boy out of position to help break down his confidence. Ballard, of course, went through this as well.

Get a clue. DZ has been playing the right for the last couple of years. Way before Vigneault was in New York. The Rangers moved DZ to the right side in 11-12 with Staal. Michael lost his spot in the top 4 to Stralman. The player hasn't played well. Playing the right side shouldn't be a foreign concept to Del Zotto.

Get a clue.

 

[RangerBoy]

He's on the verge of giving Lundqvist the Bobby Lou treatment too. It's like he needs to relive his old hockey days where he was no. 7 defensemen, except with him as coach the no. 7 plays over the proven no 4.

On top of that he's giving his Frenchie homeboys in Brassard and Pouliot ice time over and over again even though they can't check or score or play with consistency.

You're another one. You were crying about the AV system. The Rangers can't play defense anymore. It doesn't work in the NHL. You stopped crying about it.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=72396975&postcount=6

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

Looks to me like Torts is playing Ballard about the exact same less than 16 minutes a game as AV did, so maybe there's something to that.

Torts coaches two teams now? Isn't that a conflict of interest?

 

[Mikos87]

You're another one. You were crying about the AV system. The Rangers can't play defense anymore. It doesn't work in the NHL. You stopped crying about it.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showpost.php?p=72396975&postcount=6

System isn't looking effective versus bigger physical teams. Todd McClellen or whoever coaches SJ exposed it the last couple of years out west. I get that you're hardcore fanboy, but all I care about is the W. Last team standing when it's all said and done, and not getting sentimental at the faintest sign of something mildly positive. Team is a middle of the pack team.

 

[Cake or Death]

Torts coaches two teams now? Isn't that a conflict of interest?

Did he move? Sorry dude, while I used to get Center Ice and watch 2 or 3 games a day, since the last lockout I've barely been able to care about the NHL and have hardly followed. Shoot me for having a life and not blindly following a league that closes shop and says a giant '**** you' to the fans every few years.

 

[Ola]

Here are some random thoughts.

At this point, Imo, when MDZ and Moore are both playing their best game MDZ is superior.

I agree with you but my problem with our LD log-jam is that we are playing hockey not competing in the world championships of left D's. I can't ever think of looking at one team and going darn that team will be hard to beat because their 3rd pairing LD is great.

I also think having that log-jam hurts McD and Staal. Those two seems to play better when Falk is in, because they get to play more. They should log 22-25 on avg per night, leaving 10-14 minutes a night to whomever is our 3rd pairing LD.

 

[Calad]

System isn't looking effective versus bigger physical teams. Todd McClellen or whoever coaches SJ exposed it the last couple of years out west. I get that you're hardcore fanboy, but all I care about is the W. Last team standing when it's all said and done, and not getting sentimental at the faintest sign of something mildly positive. Team is a middle of the pack team.

Completely disagree. We looked great vs the bruins and pretty good vs the Kings. Can't blame the system for goalies standing on their heads

 

[Mikos87]

Completely disagree. We looked great vs the bruins and pretty good vs the Kings. Can't blame the system for goalies standing on their heads

Haha and 1 goal and 2 losses later.

It's going to take 2nd 3rd effort chances to score on those teams, and there just wasn't much in the way there.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Del Zotto's problem is between his ears.

Now hes upset at Vigneault for publicly criticizing his play. Give me a break. Suck it up.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Del Zotto's problem is between his ears.

Now hes upset at Vigneault for publicly criticizing his play. Give me a break. Suck it up.

There seems to be something off about him going back to his draft year. He was coming off back to back seasons where he was basically a ppg player as a defenseman yet was never really ever mentioned as a candidate for Candadian WJC teams.