A common theme throughout the Rangers right now, not just with Gilroy is that they're all trying by themselves offensively. One guy takes the puck and tries to do it and faces the defense and loses. Then the next guy tries. Gilroy is a microcosm of this. He's almost like Kovalev where he tries to skate from one end to the other, trying to beat everyone on the ice and failed at it. Kovalev had talent, he needed to use it correctly which he learned to do once he left the Rangers. The Rangers would have been better served had they harnessed that talent while he was here.
They need to start working together as a team. Too often you see one guy enter the zone by himself carrying the puck trying to beat the defense. Their passing to each other is atrocious. They're not working together like they used to.
You've got to play these guys to find out what you've got. Otherwise you make mistakes like Savard, Knuble.
That's because Niel Smith doesn't have a clue on evaluating talent. They were both around the Rangers system for long enough, they knew what they had. The philosophy was different and Niel Smith was an idiot when making his own deals.
My biggest concern with Gilroy is his strength. He got absolutely manhandled on Jokinen's first goal last night, and thats been a constant theme during his 1.5 seasons here.
And at 27 years old, is that really going to improve?
My biggest concern with Gilroy is his strength. He got absolutely manhandled on Jokinen's first goal last night, and thats been a constant theme during his 1.5 seasons here.
And at 27 years old, is that really going to improve?
His age is only part of the issue. If he was 27 coming from playing in Europe, it would be a different situation. The biggest issue to me is he's 27 and the success he's had has come while playing against kids as much as 6 years younger than him.
Also, he's not worth what his qualifying offer would be.
There are always going to be expectations given the money he makes and him coming in as a ufa signing. Both Mdz and Gilroy know by now that Nyr fans don't usually favor soft defenseman, or skilled defenseman that don't provide the offensive punch from the back end.
Neither defender seems to be comunicating well enough with each on the ice. Both Gilroy and Mdz need to sit down and watch how lidstrom and rafalski play. I'm not saying that either is anywhere near close to those defenseman but both these 2nd year vets can learn a lot by doing that. That pairing needs to talk to each other on the ice and not compete against each other while there out there. With Gilroy skating into the zone and making the same safe yet offensively inneffective plays again and again, and Mdz making the same defensive gaffs again and again.
I hope these two really take the initiative to do that just like McDonaugh and Sauerkraut have, just as Staal and Girardi have for several years. You see it in the way they those pairs developed that chemistry. And both those players started that by covering for each other on the back end first. Gilroy and Mdz look like they are taking turns trying to make a play with the puck instead of trusting each other and playing hard for their partner.
With the playoffs around the corner, no one in that lockeroom will like living with their gaffs. Theres no way Gilroy comes back unless he signs a Christensen esque contract IMO but with them in the lineup our current situation is shaky at best.
I know this is supposed to be about how terrible Gilroy is... But why the hate for Del Zotto? I was at the game yesterday in Raleigh. I thought behind Callahan, Del Zotto was the second best player on the team. He was noticeable in the defensive zone, and even stopped several (2-3) odd-man rushes (2-on-1, and at least one 3-on-1) by himself. He didn't look terrible in the offensive zone, and from what I could tell, didn't make any major mistakes on the ice.
As for Gilroy, he was the complete opposite. I thought he was the most effective Hurricane on the ice last night. Every time I saw him, I was questioning what he was doing behind Cam Ward, or wondering why his defensive assignment was standing alone near the slot. Just be thankful the project is over after this year, and maybe with a somewhat healthy team next year, they can take a run.
He's a soft defenseman with below average passing and shooting skills. Not much use for a guy like that in this league. You can deal with a lack of physicality if the offensive skill is there but it's not. All he has going for him is his skating. He's the defensive version of Enver Lisin.
MDZ has a brighter future than any one on our current defense(aside from Staal) enough with the bashing, its just the sophomore slump. Matt Gilroy should be moved back to forward already he has some offensive talent but rarely showcases it, anyone remember the goal he scored against the devils in pre season
MDZ has a brighter future than any one on our current defense(aside from Staal) enough with the bashing, its just the sophomore slump. Matt Gilroy should be moved back to forward already he has some offensive talent but rarely showcases it, anyone remember the goal he scored against the devils in pre season
No. His completely abysmal play since than has easily erased that from my memory.
MDZ's been just as bad if not worse. Watching DZ get beat at least twice in OT drove me nuts. Then watching him join the rush and shoot it wide of the trapezoid made me want to puke. What's wrong with this guy where he can't even come CLOSE to hitting the net????
I don't want to BLAME MDZ for Gilroy's play, but he was doing a lot better before the two were paired together.
One of them needs to sit for Eminger. It doesn't really matter who.
MDZ has a brighter future than any one on our current defense(aside from Staal) enough with the bashing, its just the sophomore slump. Matt Gilroy should be moved back to forward already he has some offensive talent but rarely showcases it, anyone remember the goal he scored against the devils in pre season
I don't know about that. McDonagh, Girardi and Sauer all have bright futures ahead of them.
Eminger a healthy scratch and Gilroy wasting space on the ice may be Torts worst decision this season.
Very possible. I don't buy that he's risking not making the playoffs to supposedly entice some bottom dwelling team to pony up diamonds and gold for this obvious bum.
I believe this thread demonstrates why the Rangers are not a favorite to make the playoffs. The debate on which defensemen should makeup the third pairing is like debating which disease you would rather have?
Get him out of the lineup. Eminger has a rough 2 weeks and he's been relegated to number 7. Gilroy has sucked for 2 years now and he still plays. If anyone noticed Brent Burns last night, that is what Gilroy TRIES to be. Burns does it good, Gilroy is abysmal at it.
I realize he isn't that great, but the unconditional hatred towards Gilroy is out of hand. Jesus.
I was at the game on Tuesday night against the Sabres, to me he seemed out of position too often. He has lost the confidence he was starting to build, when his pinches worked and they accomplished something. Now he seems to start to pinch or get in deep then he panics and starts skating back leaving him and his partner out to dry.
