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

[n8]

I think I would prefer having MDZ playing LD and trading John Moore than the reverse.

Staal for Faulk? Even though Faulk is younger and cheaper, I still believe Staal is the much better player. Even though he isn't getting the top assignments, we are talking about a player who can completely neutralize Alexander Ovechkin. The only reason I would even consider this is that Staal is going to be UFA after next season and Faulk is a RFA this season. Staal might leave for Carolina anyways but definitely, I want to see more.

Jordan Staal (I would say solid 2C) got #8 overall, Brandon Sutter, and a d prospect. M.Staal is a top pairing capable player and should have comparable trade value as his brother. McD just has come so far it's frankly even surprising that trading M.Staal would seriously come it. I thought he'd be a mainstay for the blueshirts.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

I think I would prefer having MDZ playing LD and trading John Moore than the reverse.Staal for Faulk? Even though Faulk is younger and cheaper, I still believe Staal is the much better player. Even though he isn't getting the top assignments, we are talking about a player who can completely neutralize Alexander Ovechkin. The only reason I would even consider this is that Staal is going to be UFA after next season and Faulk is a RFA this season. Staal might leave for Carolina anyways but definitely, I want to see more.

Jordan Staal (I would say solid 2C) got #8 overall, Brandon Sutter, and a d prospect. M.Staal is a top pairing capable player and should have comparable trade value as his brother. McD just has come so far it's frankly even surprising that trading M.Staal would seriously come it. I thought he'd be a mainstay for the blueshirts.

At this point I agree with you--I like J Moore, but I think Del Zotto is a higher reward player (who will give me a few more gray hairs than Moore).

Also, remember on thing about the idea of Staal being set on wanting to play with his brothers in Carolina--unlike Eric and Jordan, Marc does not have a Stanley Cup ring. While I'm sure he'd love to have the experience of being on the same NHL team with them, I doubt it trumps the desire to win a Stanley Cup. And I think he has a better chance of winning on here than in Carolina.

 

[Whoot Whoot]

Michael Del Zotto - 2nd goal is on u tonight you bum.

 

[Zynbanejad]

I've come to the conclusion that Michael Del Zotto is just not a smart player.

 

[ltrangerfan]

I've come to the conclusion that Michael Del Zotto is just not a smart player.

I can't say how many articles I've read over the past week all saying that MDZ's game has turned the corner. Three solid games and DZ is now solid? What about the past few years of play?

Is he really better than a Ranger 3rd pairing d? If MDZ can't move up into the 2nd pairing is he really worth more to the rangers than some other team with a greater need for D? How much is a 3rd pairing D worth?

The Rangers clearly need more offense when playing 5 on 5. Most of the Scoring has been coming off the PP.
The team needs another center/ forward who has a bit of grit with some ability to score goals.

IMO MDZ has 11 games left to prove why he should remain a Ranger. If he gets a bit nervous on the ice I wonder how nervous he'll be over the next 11 games?

MDZ is the only Ranger I'm reasonably certain will be moved.

 

[LORDE]

How his a$$ wasn't stapled to the bench after that, I don't even know what words to use to describe how stupid, play Ill never know.

Shaking my head all night in disbelief.

I wonder how much lower his trade value can drop?

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Del Zotto is a mental midget.

 

[LORENZO]

Everyone around me was having his life, a lot of hate going around.

 

[a tribe cq]

Del Sotto has been playing well recently

This IS the time to trade him for a team need

He'll be a good player consistently once he figures things out and could thrive elsewhere

 

[Mikos87]

DZ's been playing better, but last night he had a brain fart.

Can't have these unfocused shifts. 2nd time this year he got schooled by Kucherov, a rookie.

Recently he's played with his head screwed on for the full 60, skating the right way pushing the pace with John Moore. Just goes to show you how one little thing can burn you at this level.

 

[Mikos87]

Del Sotto has been playing well recently

This IS the time to trade him for a team need

He'll be a good player consistently once he figures things out and could thrive elsewhere

Look at Chicago's left side defense and how they play. I would say it's a big part of a winning formula.

 

[Trxjw]

If his head ever caught up to his natural ability, he'd be a really exciting player. Unfortunately, I've been saying that for a few years now. Still like the kid and I think he can be a solid player, but you can tell he just doesn't have the mental fortitude to remain with this team. Every little mistake is like the world fell on his shoulders.

 

[Mikos87]

Every little mistake is like the world fell on his shoulders.

You can say the same for lots of other 90s babies too. But you're absolutely right, he's got to bring that swagger on the ice every time he's out there to lift his team.

That's something Zucc does for this team, and prior to Zucc's benching, he didn't bring that confidence level on the ice.

End of the day, DZ can't allow himself to be a mental midget. That sort of mindset is just one step closer to being like his buddy Wojtek Wolski. Little extreme example, but you get what I mean.

 

[LORDE]

You can say the same for lots of other 90s babies too. But you're absolutely right, he's got to bring that swagger on the ice every time he's out there to lift his team.

That's something Zucc does for this team, and prior to Zucc's benching, he didn't bring that confidence level on the ice.

End of the day, DZ can't allow himself to be a mental midget. That sort of mindset is just one step closer to being like his buddy Wojtek Wolski. Little extreme example, but you get what I mean.

That's like asking a tree to start acting more like a lion. He is what he is... he may get some experience and he may figure out ways to use his skills at more opportune times, etc.

But he's not a smart guy and that's not going to change anytime soon.

 

[offdacrossbar]

If his head ever caught up to his natural ability, he'd be a really exciting player. Unfortunately, I've been saying that for a few years now. Still like the kid and I think he can be a solid player, but you can tell he just doesn't have the mental fortitude to remain with this team. Every little mistake is like the world fell on his shoulders.

ding ding. winner. been saying that exact thing for sometime.

dude needs a new address.

when can we start calling him enver del zotto ?

problem is, we CANNOT afford to move him at this point with his value so diminished. his play has been so-so and his value is low-low.

i would prefer to keep him and add him with another player who has real value like a ryan callahan or a derek stepan or marc staal/dan girardi to a contender in a deadline deal or move him on his own in a draft day moveup package.

a player for player swap now would be a mistake at this point.

 

[eco's bones]

He actually had 3-4-5 pretty good games in a row and then he **** the bed last night.

That play was super ****ed up. If he was watching from the bench at all he must have just seen Girardi bust that same play up a couple minutes before. The other thing that is right off a face-off after a goal. A horrible time to have a mental breakdown. Guys coming out on the ice should be extra determined not to give up another goal right away.

To me there are huge differences between DZ and John Moore. DZ's got the career numbers and they're more or less the same age but he also gets a much bigger paycheck for playing on the bottom pair. Moore is slightly younger and a much better skater. His paycheck fits the job description of a young bottom pairing d-man. Both of them are RFA's this summer. Unless the Rangers plan on moving Staal--DZ is going go be bottom pairing next year as well only making $3 mil per or more. That's not a good deal for a young d-man playing a 5-6 role and especially with a coaching staff that seems not to have a lot of liking for him.