The Michael Del Zotto is a delsaster.

[slipknottin]

So what are some reasonable targets if they do want to move MdZ? I'm assuming we all want a winger or center man.

My preferences would be a young C or RW, such as Charlie Coyle, Emerson Etem, or Brock Nelson

 

[stan the caddy]

So what are some reasonable targets if they do want to move MdZ? I'm assuming we all want a winger or center man.

My preferences would be a young C or RW, such as Charlie Coyle, Emerson Etem, or Brock Nelson

I want a defenseman that can shoot off the pass. Phoenix put Yandle on the market at the deadline. I'd love to see them package Del Zotto for him. Phoenix gets to save money, something that they love to do, and the Rangers get a defenseman that shoots the puck very well.

 

[Boruto]

Inconsistency of MDZ is an issue. Defensively, he's off 1/3 nights. Offensively, he's been lacking this season. I would keep him 1 more year. His play making in the offensive zone CAN make a difference. Last year saw a lot of that. His ~10 goals, PP creativity, assists (primary, secondary and otherwise), he's also the only one willing to carry the puck down low and make plays. The suffering MDZ this season affects the PP and the suffering PP (Richards?) affects MDZ. Like Torts said, MDZ improves and regresses with his offensive confidence.

I think overall, it's unfair to judge our D core intuitively and without consideration for the type of zone play we're guilty of. Some players handle collapse well with shot blocking, stick positioning, IQ hockey reads, body positioning, strength and out battling opponents, intercepting pucks, clearing pucks AND board play (which we seem to think is the only way to clear the zone) etc.

It's fair to say DZ isn't above average at these skills. McD is a 9/10, G is a 8/10, DZ is a 6/10 on most nights. His board play scared me and he's out sized and matched in so many important "clear/outlet or get hemmed in for 40 secs" situations.

It's fair to say that this system and everything we know about it from offensive structure or a lack of to the way we choose to defend, does not work for MDZ. It highlights his weaknesses, neglects his strength and to top it off, our PP doesn't work at all and that doesn't help DZ's game. (I like Moore but Moore didn't fix it either, no one did, no one sucked, everyone and everything sucked).

It's difficult because this system isn't changing. His value will go down unless we might some balance in the way we play O and D.

He does need to step it up. I have no doubt in my Cresty head that he slacked off during the off season. Knowing his personality and the openness of his lifestyle, the conditioning, focus and sharpness declined as the lock out went on.

He's been the center piece to an element of our D that we desperately need to address. He has potential and he isn't that bad as a 4D as far as defense and minutes are concerned. I would give him another year AT LEAST. His value is not going to decline. GMs know and see things. Glen doesn't sell cheap, certainly not the guy that he's kept through all the trades. His skill set is going to get buyers.

 

[GregSirico]

Would you be willing to trade him to Edmonton for one of their forwards?

 

[Rangers ftw]

Would you be willing to trade him to Edmonton for one of their forwards?

Who do you have in mind?

 

[GregSirico]

Who do you have in mind?

I think a fair package could be MDZ + Hags for Eberle or some other combination.

 

[Machinehead]

I don't think Del Zotto is as inconsistent as he's made out to be. Any player that's frustrating and/or has a low hockey IQ gets that label attached to them. I think Del Zotto pretty consistently is what he is: talented but stupid.

 

[GregSirico]

I don't think Del Zotto is as inconsistent as he's made out to be. Any player that's frustrating and/or has a low hockey IQ gets that label attached to them. I think Del Zotto pretty consistently is what he is: talented but stupid.

Agreed 100% ... in fact I would say at times he gets a bad rap ... and perhaps the style the Rangers play doesn't suit his game?

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

I don't think Del Zotto is as inconsistent as he's made out to be. Any player that's frustrating and/or has a low hockey IQ gets that label attached to them. I think Del Zotto pretty consistently is what he is: talented but stupid.

The stupid part is the dangerous part and me feels like that adds to the inconsistency thing. When DZ is on, playing well with confidence, he makes great plays and plays well. Bit when he isn't "on", he grips the stick much too hard and tries to force things his way, and it's "stupid". In short, I think him being a mental midget is the biggest problem and is the biggest thing holding him back/fueling trade proposals involving him away from us.

 

[nevesis]

Nuff' said.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

Del Zotto makes dumb decisions all the time, but it's due to his confidence. I think he's got a pretty damn high hockey IQ.

With all the absolutely Pejorative Slured players on this team I'm not sure why Del Zotto is being called out for being stupid.

 

[offdacrossbar]

dz is very one dimensional. hes been like that since juniors.

his skating is subpar. dude is slowwww.

his defense is weak, although improved, hes still kind of weak.

his shot is poor. he cannot hit the net consistently. his velocity is below average.

his passing skills are very good. hes joins the rush and can create chances offensively. hes comfortable playing in the O zone.

his hockey iq is average and hes prone to bonehead plays. his D game is below average and hes a slow thinker. to me, he doesnt process the defensive part of the game at a high level.

he cannot play the pp. period.

is still believe his skating hurts him and does not allow him to recover from his lack of sound positional play. he stands out at times as a lethargic, plodding player. thats not good.

if we could move him, i would. we have other defenseman who can play.

and... move mcilrath at the draft. MOVE UP !!!!

 

[slipknottin]

Del Zotto makes dumb decisions all the time, but it's due to his confidence. I think he's got a pretty damn high hockey IQ.

I dont think its IQ or confidence, I think he just has a poor focus. Like he is thinking about other things during games

 

[Kris Chreider]

I dont think its IQ or confidence, I think he just has a poor focus. Like he is thinking about other things during games

Like how many leather jackets to wear.

Anyone seen what pics come up on Google Images when you Google "Michael Del Zotto girlfriend"? Clearly a ladies' man.

I'm not saying his off-ice behavior causes his inconsistency, but you can't ignore that.

 

[Kris Chreider]

Nuff' said.

Oh God he looks so funny. lirl hard.

 

[cd211]

with torts gone it should be interestign how guys play with out being or the thought of being benched with every mistake.. accountability is good but torts scared some guys, especially mdz..maybe this is the monkey he needs off his back..

 

[Boruto]

with torts gone it should be interestign how guys play with out being or the thought of being benched with every mistake.. accountability is good but torts scared some guys, especially mdz..maybe this is the monkey he needs off his back..

or as I've been calling him, the overgrown Italian ape.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Like how many leather jackets to wear.

Anyone seen what pics come up on Google Images when you Google "Michael Del Zotto girlfriend"? Clearly a ladies' man.

I'm not saying his off-ice behavior causes his inconsistency, but you can't ignore that.

Come on now. Have you met many hockey players?

Of all the things I will give DZ **** for, what he does off ice is his own business.

 

[wolfgaze]

with torts gone it should be interestign how guys play with out being or the thought of being benched with every mistake.. accountability is good but torts scared some guys, especially mdz..maybe this is the monkey he needs off his back..

True.... I bet Kreider is relieved.

 

[smoneil]

I don't think Del Zotto is as inconsistent as he's made out to be. Any player that's frustrating and/or has a low hockey IQ gets that label attached to them. I think Del Zotto pretty consistently is what he is: talented but stupid.

I'd be more inclined to give your opinion on MDZ some credibility if you didn't do this EVERY effing offseason. You just aren't happy unless you pick a player you don't like, and then wall-paper the boards with this tired old "he's stupid/low hockey iq" bit. Last year it was Dubinsky. This year it's Del Zotto. Who's next?

Michael Del Zotto is inconsistent. It is not because he's stupid. It is not because he lacks talent. It's because he's 22 years of age. When Staal was that age, he was in his second year in the league, and trying to develop some semblance of an offensive game. That attempt resulted in his defensive game suffering. He was inconsistent and people here were not too high on him. When Dan Girardi was that age, he was still 2 years removed from being an NHL player. When Stralman was that age, he was getting run out of Toronto and wearing the "bust" label. Those of you who want him moved at all costs keep piping up that he's "our fourth defenseman." Yeah. He's behind three other guys right now. Two of those three are significantly older than MDZ, and MDZ at 22 is significantly better than those guys were at the same age (McD is the only one who was as good/better, as young).

People used to say that NY couldn't rebuild because the fans would never allow it. You guys are proving that now. You don't trade a 22 year old kid who has shown as much as Del Zotto already has. It's just idiocy.

 

[Boruto]

Not good system for MDZ in 6 ways. Not good match with JT for 3 reasons. THE END.

I predict MDZ will be our most improved player next year.

 

[cd211]

True.... I bet Kreider is relieved.

hhaha i was a huge torts fan, but i bet a lot of guys are excited for this.. i do expect a big difference next year with certain guys plays..

 

[LeetchisGod]

Name a top offensive d-man in the league who skates as badly as Del Zotto. Case closed.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

dz is very one dimensional. hes been like that since juniors.

his skating is subpar. dude is slowwww.

his defense is weak, although improved, hes still kind of weak.

his shot is poor. he cannot hit the net consistently. his velocity is below average.

his passing skills are very good. hes joins the rush and can create chances offensively. hes comfortable playing in the O zone.

his hockey iq is average and hes prone to bonehead plays. his D game is below average and hes a slow thinker. to me, he doesnt process the defensive part of the game at a high level.

he cannot play the pp. period.

is still believe his skating hurts him and does not allow him to recover from his lack of sound positional play. he stands out at times as a lethargic, plodding player. thats not good.

if we could move him, i would. we have other defenseman who can play.

and... move mcilrath at the draft. MOVE UP !!!!

Agree with this assessment of Del Zotto, its been my opinion of him as well. He lacks the foot speed and IQ to be the kind of dynamic offensive defenseman we need. We need a player like Ryan Murphy.

I don't agree with moving McIlrath, however. He's close, and I want to see what he can do in the NHL at some point next season.

 

[Badko]

The Rangers HF Boards need to be renamed "The grass is always greener on the other side"