The 2010 draft is holding us back

[Zil]

The Rangers have a reasonably strong possession team, but still struggle to score goals. They generated chance after chance in the OT periods, but seem to have a distinct lack of finishers. While the first rounds of the 2003 and 2006 drafts can be blamed for awful first round choices, 2010 stands out. We missed on more than just our first rounder, had a higher pick than any year since 2004, and are left with fewer questions of how different selections would've affected our current roster thanks to recency. This is our 2010 draft:

Obviously the McIlrath pick sticks out as the most obvious target since everybody here wanted Tarasenko at the time. They also missed out on Schwartz, Fowler, and several other interesting prospects such as Bjugstad, Etem, Kuznetsov, and Coyle. McIlrath may ultimately make it as a third pairing defenseman, but the chances of him becoming a top level player are not strong.

McIlrath was not our only questionable 2010 pick. Second rounder Christian Thomas has already been flipped for Danny Kristo, who had a mediocre first AHL season. After the Rangers selected Thomas, the Ducks and Kings used their picks on Devante Smith-Pelly and Tyler Toffoli respectively (Phoenix chose Oscar Lindberg, who we of course dealt Werek for). Toffoli is an especially painful miss considering he just helped beat us in the Final.

Of our later picks, only sixth rounder Jesper Fast appears to have a strong shot of being an NHL player. Andrew Yogan may develop into a bottom six grinder if everything goes right.

The 2010 draft probably represented our most recent chance to add true impact talent(s) to our forward crop. It also left us scrambling for expensive scoring talent and added depth in the Nash and Gaborik deals. While not every pick can be expected to pan out, we missed on high end pieces with both our first and second rounders in 2010.

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[eco's bones]

The Rangers have a reasonably strong possession team, but still struggle to score goals. They generated chance after chance in the OT periods, but seem to have a distinct lack of finishers. While the first rounds of the 2003 and 2006 drafts can be blamed for awful first round choices, 2010 stands out. We missed on more than just our first rounder, had a higher pick than any year since 2004, and are left with fewer questions of how different selections would've affected our current roster thanks to recency. This is our 2010 draft:

Obviously the McIlrath pick sticks out as the most obvious target since everybody here wanted Tarasenko at the time. They also missed out on Schwartz, Fowler, and several other interesting prospects such as Bjugstad, Etem, Kuznetsov, and Coyle. McIlrath may ultimately make it as a third pairing defenseman, but the chances of him becoming a top level player are not strong.

McIlrath was not our only questionable 2010 pick. Second rounder Christian Thomas has already been flipped for Danny Kristo, who had a mediocre first AHL season. After the Rangers selected Thomas, the Ducks and Kings used their picks on Devante Smith-Pelly and Tyler Toffoli respectively (Phoenix chose Oscar Lindberg, who we of course dealt Werek for). Toffoli is an especially painful miss considering he just helped beat us in the Final.

Of our later picks, only sixth rounder Jesper Fast appears to have a strong shot of being an NHL player. Andrew Yogan may develop into a bottom six grinder if everything goes right.

The 2010 draft probably represented our most recent chance to add true impact talent(s) to our forward crop. It also left us scrambling for expensive scoring talent and added depth in the Nash and Gaborik deals. While not every pick can be expected to pan out, we missed on high end pieces with both our first and second rounders in 2010.

Not everyone wanted Tarasenko. Some wanted Fowler. A fair question to ask is how much better either Tarasenko or Fowler would have made us in the finals against the Kings? IMO--probably not much. I don't think Fowler ever would have made the Rangers out of his first training camp like he did with the Ducks. Torts would have had issues with how he played positonally, how he didn't hit or block shots. He would have gone back to juniors for two years and then probably to the AHL. This would be his first or second season.

Tarasenko would be a nice winger to have but we have a lot of nice wingers. We really need a center. Of your list above--Bjugstad I suppose but he's no world beater yet either.

I don't think this is that much of an issue right now and if Dylan makes the team some time next year it will be even less of an issue.

 

[NewLife]

Well we know the McIlrath pick will be questioned forever here. Tarasenko was such a golden ticket at the time, I'm not saying that in hindsight a majority of our fan base scream for the Russian at the time. But at this point it's just to move along.

However McIlrath will make the cut sooner than later it's just a matter of what he can do from there but he's been a project since day one and he's making progress, too bad a couple of injuries have held him back these last seasons. If he can step up and be a big, mean sob type of guy on our blueline holding his own 20 min a night he'll be greatly liked and needed. Hopefully we all will shut up about the 2010 draft then

 

[haohmaru]

If McIlrath were ready and brought a Beukeboom/Gill type presence in front of our net that would've been a lot more helpful than either Fowler or Tarasenko.

Remember, when the Rangers drafted Dylan they expected him to be a project. A YEARS long project. Let's hope he makes it to the NHL.

 

[Ghost of jas]

I wanted Toffoli in 2010. We took Thomas. Enough said.

 

[hi]

If McIlrath were ready and brought a Beukeboom/Gill type presence in front of our net that would've been a lot more helpful than either Fowler or Tarasenko.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but you're saying that you'd rather have a player that can be a presence in front of our own goalie instead of having a PP QB or a guy that scored 20 goals during the regular season and 4 goals in 6 games during the playoffs?

 

[Bluenote13]

Having Tarasenko on the PP would have been interesting, but who knows.

I think the 2003 draft still haunts us. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards were two of my faves for our pick that year.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

Well we know the McIlrath pick will be questioned forever here. Tarasenko was such a golden ticket at the time, I'm not saying that in hindsight a majority of our fan base scream for the Russin at the time. But at this it's just to move along.

However McIlrath will make the cut sooner than later it's just a matter of what he can do from there but he's a project since day one and he's making progress, too bad a couple of injuries have held him back these last seasons. If he can step up and be a big, mean sob type of guy on our blueline holding his own 20 min a night he'll be greatly liked and needed. Hopefully we all will shut up about the 2010 draft then

Maybe he will float around the rink like the promotional zeppelins that drop tickets too!

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but you're saying that you'd rather have a player that can be a presence in front of our own goalie instead of having a PP QB or a guy that scored 20 goals during the regular season and 4 goals in 6 games during the playoffs?

A very diplomatic form of saying, what the hell are you talking about!

Having Tarasenko on the PP would have been interesting, but who knows.

Tarasenko hasn't shown much anyway. Besides a project player (Queue Bob Mackenzie had him at bla bla spot) who may not make the roster was just a as beneficial.

I think the 2003 draft still haunts us. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards were two of my faves for our pick that year.

Ha!

You still want those two clowns over Jessiman? Philly ran tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum out of town years ago!

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I wonder if McIlrath was a Torts pick. He just does not fit the skill team that Sather has been trying to create ever since he traded for Nash. Drafting any player top 10, much less a defenseman in part because of his fighting skills in a league where fighting is going the way of the dodo is painfully stupid.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

We lost 3 OT games in this series. Of course one of Fowler of Tarasenko could have helped. The again, how do the rest of the moves play out? I don't know.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

I wonder if McIlrath was a Torts pick. He just does not fit the skill team that Sather has been trying to create ever since he traded for Nash. Drafting any player top 10, much less a defenseman in part because of his fighting skills in a league where fighting is going the way of the dodo is painfully stupid.

McIlrath from all accounts is a good skater and no scrub with the puck

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

I wonder if McIlrath was a Torts pick. He just does not fit the skill team that Sather has been trying to create ever since he traded for Nash. Drafting any player top 10, much less a defenseman in part because of his fighting skills in a league where fighting is going the way of the dodo is painfully stupid.

The Rangers aren't big fans of first round picks. They prefer to obtain former 1st rounders in the decade that follow their respective draft year.

If you don't care that much, you may as well just go with something. Otherwise, everyone will laugh when Sather goes up to the podium and say "whatever..."

 

[NewLife]

I wonder if McIlrath was a Torts pick. He just does not fit the skill team that Sather has been trying to create ever since he traded for Nash. Drafting any player top 10, much less a defenseman in part because of his fighting skills in a league where fighting is going the way of the dodo is painfully stupid.

This is silly. Torts hockey is much more than fighting, McIlrath is more than that. He can be a unique player on our back end regardless of what system we're going with. They likes what the saw in him, the interest for him league wide was rising so they picked him with their first pick. He wasn't the best prospect at the time, still isn't and that's the problem not, McIlrath the player.

 

[Cassano]

If McIlrath were ready and brought a Beukeboom/Gill type presence in front of our net that would've been a lot more helpful than either Fowler or Tarasenko.

Remember, when the Rangers drafted Dylan they expected him to be a project. A YEARS long project. Let's hope he makes it to the NHL.

Not even close.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

And let's be honest, while the coach definitely has some say in what type of team he wants...the McIlrath pick was an entire organizational decision. Gordie Clark was swooning over the kid. I remember a lot of the talking points after the pick were about his "exponential" development curve in the last few months of his draft year. Rapid improvement leading up to the draft, for a raw kid. There is no doubt at least a bit of the reason the Rangers felt comfortable with Mac at 10 was some hope of Pronger/Weber upside.

I think the smart money is on that not happening. I mean, never say never look at Chara's development. I hated the pick at the time (actually threw my remote) and still do (in terms of the pick not the player per se). But he is a good kid, hard worker, and Willie Mitchell just looked like Chris Pronger vs the Rangers in the SCF. If Mac can develop into the type of dman that excels in the postseason when interference creeps back in (like it or not this is a fact of life) I can live with it.

The Thomas pick might actually be worse at this point. A small player who can't skate, Nigel Dawes 2.0. At #40. Nice.

 

[Ghost of jas]

And let's be honest, while the coach definitely has some say in what type of team he wants...the McIlrath pick was an entire organizational decision. Gordie Clark was swooning over the kid. I remember a lot of the talking points after the pick were about his "exponential" development curve in the last few months of his draft year. Rapid improvement leading up to the draft, for a raw kid. There is no doubt at least a bit of the reason the Rangers felt comfortable with Mac at 10 was some hope of Pronger/Weber upside.

I think the smart money is on that not happening. I mean, never say never look at Chara's development. I hated the pick at the time (actually threw my remote) and still do (in terms of the pick not the player per se). But he is a good kid, hard worker, and Willie Mitchell just looked like Chris Pronger vs the Rangers in the SCF. If Mac can develop into the type of dman that excels in the postseason when interference creeps back in (like it or not this is a fact of life) I can live with it.

The Thomas pick might actually be worse at this point. A small player who can't skate, Nigel Dawes 2.0. At #40. Nice.

Yup...wanted Toffoli, hated the pick, had arguments when people were swooning over Thomas in juniors, hate being proven correct.

 

[BlueshirtBlitz]

Jesper Fast will be a good player. McIlrath will be a 2nd pairing RD, and with Stralman likely leaving that's pretty big. It's just a matter of when he can do it.

As for everyone else, oh well. MTL could've had Chris Kreider and picked Louie Leblanc (rereading this, my point may not be too clear. editing before anybody says obviously that was a different draft). Teams blow it sometimes.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Jesper Fast will be a good player. McIlrath will be a 2nd pairing RD, and with Stralman likely leaving that's pretty big. It's just a matter of when he can do it.

As for everyone else, oh well. MTL could've had Chris Kreider and picked Louie Leblanc. Teams blow it sometimes.

How's that for a kick in the ass?

 

[BlueshirtBlitz]

How's that for a kick in the ass?

Yep, and that's just how it goes sometimes.

The 2010 draft isn't "holding us back," since the Rangers made the SCF and were in the position to win the Cup if they could win a couple of OT games.

Think guys aren't kicking themselves for skipping over D-Step? Ryan McD (good scouting by our guys to grab an underrated asset from another org.)?

Sure, they could've made better picks. Again, we'll see how it goes down, though. The Rangers are a great team made up of homemade guys and guys acquired through homemade guys. It doesn't make sense to crucify the scouting/drafting guys.

 

[AHB*]

We just lost in the Finals. We were outplayed significantly in one game, one. You know what, we actually WON that game.

We lost 3 games in overtime and Game 3, I thought was our best game.

So no, that draft is not "holding us back."

We were one of two teams to play the last game of the season.

Also, D-Men take time to develop. That's a FACT. We've been spoiled with the speedy development of guys like Staal, McD even Del Zotto to an extent.

Fact is, Rangers brass KNEW McIlrath was going to take a while to make the NHL. He was picked to fill a need. Had he not been injured, he probably would have exceeded the expected time table. If he can't crack the NHL in the season after next, I will begin to think bust.

Until then, I'll have patience. Since unlike most, I'm willing to trust the team with this pick that I hope will pay dividends for more a decade+ at some point. Chris Pronger was traded because of Hartford's stupid lack of patience. Big D-Men take a while. McIlrath is 21. We usually don't see these guys really start to get it until they're 23-25.

Look at Hedman. Everyone was *****ing and moaning about that pick too. Now he's regarded as one of the best D-Men in the league and is only starting to add offense.

 

[RangerBlues]

Rangers overall drafting and player development has been excellent. You will not always hit home runs but as long as you can rotate young, cheap, interchangeable parts it makes being competitive much easier.
That was the problem when Slats took over and took years to build up.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

McIlrath from all accounts is a good skater and no scrub with the puck

Still a massive project for a top 10 pick.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

We just lost in the Finals. We were outplayed significantly in one game, one. You know what, we actually WON that game.

We lost 3 games in overtime and Game 3, I thought was our best game.

So no, that draft is not "holding us back."

We were one of two teams to play the last game of the season.

Also, D-Men take time to develop. That's a FACT. We've been spoiled with the speedy development of guys like Staal, McD even Del Zotto to an extent.

Fact is, Rangers brass KNEW McIlrath was going to take a while to make the NHL. He was picked to fill a need. Had he not been injured, he probably would have exceeded the expected time table. If he can't crack the NHL in the season after next, I will begin to think bust.

Until then, I'll have patience. Since unlike most, I'm willing to trust the team with this pick that I hope will pay dividends for more a decade+ at some point. Chris Pronger was traded because of Hartford's stupid lack of patience. Big D-Men take a while. McIlrath is 21. We usually don't see these guys really start to get it until they're 23-25.

Look at Hedman. Everyone was *****ing and moaning about that pick too. Now he's regarded as one of the best D-Men in the league and is only starting to add offense.

Chris Pronger was not a project. The only thing projected about him was that people bought the hype of Alexander Daigle. Pronger was having off-ice issues while on the Whalers, and they traded him for the slouch of a player, Brendan Shannahan.

In terms of Hedman, the pundits were actually talking about passing up on Tavares for Hedman. Not only was he not a project, but he also is making an impact in far less time.

Let's just be reasonable.

At this point, I would be happy if MacIlrath was actually part of the full time top six defenseman over the next 18 months.

 

[Raspewtin]

Oh, it's this thread, again.

Every draft where we somehow didn't draft the best future superstar available is holding us back ever I guess. Why didn't Sather draft Jamie Benn in 2007?

 

[KingWantsCup]

We straight up ****ed up in the 2010 draft. I hated the McIlrath pick. I was so vehement about it I truly believe that the Fowler jokes came from people poking fun at me because I was spewing venom at Sather for not choosing the obviously better defenseman if he was going to go defense at #10. The fact that we took McIlrath in that position given the desperate need for offense (that still exists 4 years later) is a joke.

I'm obviously not rooting against McIlrath, but 4 years later this whole thing is teetering between "barely NHLer" and "career AHLer" with an upside which seems to be a third pairing defenseman at best. Very underwheleming considering that was by far the highest we've drafted post lockout.