The Michael Del Zotto is a delsaster.

[eco's bones]

Pairing DZ with a solid defensive type gets him through a good % of his **** ups. Staal is a great defensive d-man. But I also agree that DZ is more comfortable playing the left side and we're kind of overstocked there. Staal and McDonagh are our 2 best d-men each of whom plays at their best with at least 25 minutes a game. That doesn't leave a lot for the third pair on the left side whether it's Del Zotto or Moore. And at this point in time I prefer Moore. Better size, better skater, better defensively can move the puck up the ice better--though not as creative as MDZ.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

When I think of DZ I think of the scene from the Mighty Ducks when Fulton Reed plays his first game as a Duck and Gordon Bombay tells him to shoot his heart out during warm ups and he fires pucks all over the arena

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

Del Zotto for Zibanejad!

 

[The Gloaming]

Del Zotto for Zibanejad!

Where do I sign?

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

Where do I sign?

I dunno. But this is literally my dream. I'd fall to my knees (picture Willem Defoe in Platoon) and begin sobbing.

 

[Boruto]

I dunno. But this is literally my dream. I'd fall to my knees (picture Willem Defoe in Platoon) and begin sobbing.

you need to dream bigger man

DZ is not that bad, guys. Compared to the rest of the guys on the team who all play really really solid defensively? He's horrible but really... he's not that bad.

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

you need to dream bigger man

DZ is not that bad, guys. Compared to the rest of the guys on the team who all play really really solid defensively? He's horrible but really... he's not that bad.

Not like i have the same dream every night. Lets call this the Verne Troyer of dreams... still a dream though.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

Pairing DZ with a solid defensive type gets him through a good % of his **** ups. Staal is a great defensive d-man. But I also agree that DZ is more comfortable playing the left side and we're kind of overstocked there. Staal and McDonagh are our 2 best d-men each of whom plays at their best with at least 25 minutes a game. That doesn't leave a lot for the third pair on the left side whether it's Del Zotto or Moore. And at this point in time I prefer Moore. Better size, better skater, better defensively can move the puck up the ice better--though not as creative as MDZ.

It's a difficult problem--one of Del Zotto or Moore is going to have to get comfortable on the right side, if things stay the same. It's also not clear to me yet that Moore has a higher upside than Del Zotto--that's something the organization is going to have to figure out, if one of them can't get comfortable playing on the right side.

Of course, all this assumes that Staal will be back at full strength next season and is willing to commit long-term to being a Ranger. Not sure I want to give up on Del Zotto given his potential, much less the questions surrounding Staal, unless another team is willing to overpay for Del Zotto.

Imagine where we'd be without Strålman!

 

[egelband]

del zotto needs to provide more offense consistently if he's going to make so many defensive errors. he's basically not offering much on either account at the moment. i also think he's one of the few, if only, ranger that plays dirty. and i'm not a fan of that. (i like toughness, but i think he hits too high and too low sometimes, which is just fake-tough).
anyhow, i also see that he's young and a very good skater and skilled. he has upside. but who knows if he'll reach it. might not be a bad idea to move him while he has value - if indeed he does.

 

[Vickers8]

del zotto needs to provide more offense consistently if he's going to make so many defensive errors. he's basically not offering much on either account at the moment. i also think he's one of the few, if only, ranger that plays dirty. and i'm not a fan of that. (i like toughness, but i think he hits too high and too low sometimes, which is just fake-tough).
anyhow, i also see that he's young and a very good skater and skilled. he has upside. but who knows if he'll reach it. might not be a bad idea to move him while he has value - if indeed he does.

Plays better when he plays physical, but is inconsistent, will go 2 games w/o playing physical...

 

[eco's bones]

It's a difficult problem--one of Del Zotto or Moore is going to have to get comfortable on the right side, if things stay the same. It's also not clear to me yet that Moore has a higher upside than Del Zotto--that's something the organization is going to have to figure out, if one of them can't get comfortable playing on the right side.

Of course, all this assumes that Staal will be back at full strength next season and is willing to commit long-term to being a Ranger. Not sure I want to give up on Del Zotto given his potential, much less the questions surrounding Staal, unless another team is willing to overpay for Del Zotto.

Imagine where we'd be without Strålman!

Almost from day 1 of Moore's arrival the comparisons of him to McDonagh have been ongoing. Part of it ironically comes from both having a number than ends in 7 and being mistaken for each other occasionally because of their skating and similar size. Both players are capable of catching up on the play that's gone past them. IMO if the Rangers continue to work hard with Moore they might have themselves another player at least close to what they have in McDonagh.

Not to get me wrong. I think Del Zotto is a good player. Probably our most creative defensemen at least those times he's playing with confidence--but confident or not I'd take McDonagh over him 100 times out of a 100. Del Zotto does not always play with confidence though maybe the next coach will be better for him. DZ's skating is average. He's never going to be on a level with either McDonagh or Moore. Del Zotto is never going to be great in his own zone. His size and strength are below average. If they were average he might be more comfortable playing on the right side. IMO if he does not get moved and our defense stays the same and Staal is good to go from day 1 the right side is probably where MDZ will be which would mean he'll become expendable again the day McIlrath is deemed ready as Dylan is a right side defender.

Anyway I'd explore trading Del Zotto and if a fair deal could be worked out that improved the team in another area I'd probably do it. I would not give him away. There is nothing imperative about it. The only real upcoming imperative the team faces at this point is amnestying Richards.

 

[richardsequalscup*]

Well, here is something you don't see every year. A bunch of Rangers fans giving up on a kid who is 22 years old. Gee, it wouldn't have anything to do with the idiot coach who was just fired trying to make an offensive defenseman block shots instead of learning how to rush the puck up ice to create offense.

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

Well, here is something you don't see every year. A bunch of Rangers fans giving up on a kid who is 22 years old. Gee, it wouldn't have anything to do with the idiot coach who was just fired trying to make an offensive defenseman block shots instead of learning how to rush the puck up ice to create offense.

Now that Torts has been fired, I actually think maybe we could keep on to MDZ. Torts transformed our players into puck blocking, defense-first, minds. Would expect Del Zotto to thrive in an offensive system. As a 19 year old he was a stud on the offensive end. Something changed. He could provide a lot more value in the coming years with the right coach who doesn't try and force him to be a player he's not.

 

[richardsequalscup*]

Rangers fans always have to find a whipping boy to justify why the team loses. Instead of going back to the obvious reason that the coach is clueless, never keeps lines together to create chemistry, forwards don't score and the PP stinks, they try to find another reason. They either blame a young defenseman like MDZ or a role player like Dorsett as to why the team loses. Same garbage, different year.

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

Rangers fans always have to find a whipping boy to justify why the team loses. Instead of going back to the obvious reason that the coach is clueless, never keeps lines together to create chemistry, forwards don't score and the PP stinks, they try to find another reason. They either blame a young defenseman like MDZ or a role player like Dorsett as to why the team loses. Same garbage, different year.

Well lets call a spade a spade. Torts system was horrific. His philosophy was flawed. He forced MDZ to be someone he was not.

But the player he was was not consistent. In fact, every playoffs he'd be one of our weakest links. Poor positioning, poor decision making skills, he'd cause more problems than he would solve. Some people go over board but he was not good in our last 2 playoff runs.

Again, I think a large part of that was because he was being forced to be a player he's never had to be before. But don't relieve him of all criticism. He was atrocious most of these playoffs.

 

[richardsequalscup*]

He was awful in the playoffs because quit on the coach. So did a lot of other players IMO. The only reason they won the Caps series was the fans. They played for them.

MDZ is 22. Most defenseman don't even make the league at 22. Especially, offensive defenseman which take the longest to develop. MDZ like so many of our young players needs a coach who will let them play to their strengths. Not try to make them shot blockers.

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

He was awful in the playoffs because quit on the coach. So did a lot of other players IMO. The only reason they won the Caps series was the fans. They played for them.

MDZ is 22. Most defenseman don't even make the league at 22. Especially, offensive defenseman which take the longest to develop. MDZ like so many of our young players needs a coach who will let them play to their strengths. Not try to make them shot blockers.

Exactly what I said. But it is also undeniable that he played really poorly.

Combination of the two.

 

[Clowes Line]

After reading some posts here, I've shifted my views on DZ. God he is stupid sometimes, and hockey IQ can't be taught, but you gotta give him a shot with whoever the new coach is. The kid is only 22. Same with Richards. A new coach with a new style breeds new confidence, and allows players to play differently, besides the fact that Tortorella's dog house is now gone. It'll be interesting to see the team play a much more comfortable game, knowing Tortorella isn't behind the bench anymore.

 

[ltrangerfan]

On this board I am reading two different views on DZ.

1)Entertain offers and see if any should be considered or

2)DZ is too young to move.

No one is saying DZ needs to be moved before next season at any cost.

I keep reading about how defensemen develop much later than most other position players. Yet, most teams are carrying defensemen who are 23 or less and most have been playing a few years. 20-21 seems to be a normal age to start in the NHL.

I note the Schultz, Karlsson, Carlson, Schenn, Doughty, Ekman all seem to be playing fairly well at a young age. Is a 23 yr (oops DZ won't be 23 until June 24) old still in an early learning stage? I'm not sure?

It's funny when I think back about a few recent Ranger defensemen such as Michael Sauer, Dan Giradi, Staal or even Mcdonagh none seem to be as controversial as Del Zotto for such a long time. Did any of those take a step back as often as DZ?

Trade DZ for nothing ? Why? Trade him if there is a potential deal that might benefit the team over the next few years? the Rangers should be listening.

 

[eco's bones]

On this board I am reading two different views on DZ.

1)Entertain offers and see if any should be considered or

2)DZ is too young to move.

No one is saying DZ needs to be moved before next season at any cost.

I keep reading about how defensemen develop much later than most other position players. Yet, most teams are carrying defensemen who are 23 or less and most have been playing a few years. 20-21 seems to be a normal age to start in the NHL.

I note the Schultz, Karlsson, Carlson, Schenn, Doughty, Ekman all seem to be playing fairly well at a young age. Is a 23 yr (oops DZ won't be 23 until June 24) old still in an early learning stage? I'm not sure?

It's funny when I think back about a few recent Ranger defensemen such as Michael Sauer, Dan Giradi, Staal or even Mcdonagh none seem to be as controversial as Del Zotto for such a long time. Did any of those take a step back as often as DZ?

Trade DZ for nothing ? Why? Trade him if there is a potential deal that might benefit the team over the next few years? the Rangers should be listening.

Kind of look at it this way--on left side defense he's not as good as the 27 year old Staal and not likely ever to be. He's not as good as the 23 year old McDonagh and not likely ever to be. What's more in time McDonagh has a fairly decent chance to surpass his offensive production. He's not as good in many areas as the slightly younger Moore. I wouldn't classify DZ as a **** up but he's the most mistake prone of the bunch.

DZ can play right side d but he's just not as good on the left as the right. Victim of the numbers game on the left and a bit out of his depth on the right. He's moveable. Some people like to overstate that's it's giving up on the player. If we had two other young goalies ready for the NHL they'd be ready to trade them both at the drop of the hat for practically any washed up has been that might score a few goals. The Rangers IMO should look to move Del Zotto--that doesn't mean give him away. I would expect a young 2nd line worthy forward back for him or a mid to late 1st rd. pick + a decent prospect. That to me is more where fair comes into this. That's not giving him away--that's getting a decent return.

 

[Overcast]

Rangers fans always have to find a whipping boy to justify why the team loses. Instead of going back to the obvious reason that the coach is clueless, never keeps lines together to create chemistry, forwards don't score and the PP stinks, they try to find another reason. They either blame a young defenseman like MDZ or a role player like Dorsett as to why the team loses. Same garbage, different year.

Yep, it can never possibly be a combination of the player playing poorly and the coach coaching poorly. It is either 100% one or the other.

 

[Machinehead]

After reading some posts here, I've shifted my views on DZ. God he is stupid sometimes, and hockey IQ can't be taught, but you gotta give him a shot with whoever the new coach is. The kid is only 22. Same with Richards. A new coach with a new style breeds new confidence, and allows players to play differently, besides the fact that Tortorella's dog house is now gone. It'll be interesting to see the team play a much more comfortable game, knowing Tortorella isn't behind the bench anymore.

With Del Zotto I agree. Richards is making too much money regardless of how he performs with a new coach. We can get better players for less. Plus, we have a logjam of playmakers and very few snipers. Richards should go for other reasons beyond how he performed this year or next year.

 

[Kakko]

With Del Zotto I agree. Richards is making too much money regardless of how he performs with a new coach. We can get better players for less. Plus, we have a logjam of playmakers and very few snipers. Richards should go for other reasons beyond how he performed this year or next year.

Richards has a good shot when he isn't sucking. I'd be really pissed if we let him go.

 

[redfzn]

Richards has a good shot when he isn't sucking. I'd be really pissed if we let him go.

Does not matter. Problem with Richie is that if we don't buy him out and he is hurt during the buy out period next offseason, we are royally screwed for the next decade.

 

[KreidertheGlider]

Honestly I would trade Staal before MDZ. I'm not sure Staal ever recovers his game completely. MDZ has a long way to go developmentally. Not as injury prone (or unlucky i guess) as Staal. And younger.

These past few seasons MDZ has stagnated though which is frustrating to say the least. He still is one of my favorite Rangers and I don't want to give up on him yet.

Plus I think Staal delivers more return to us in a trade than MDZ.