He tries to make it appear ominous like if I don't like what their plans are I am going to want to leave so, but that really isn't an option. Maybe I'm just reading into it too much.
He tries to make it appear ominous like if I don't like what their plans are I am going to want to leave so, but that really isn't an option. Maybe I'm just reading into it too much.
I read it as, "I want to be a Ranger, but that's up to them. I'll have to see what happens"
Well he better make the team or else his value will tank and it will be another meh trade off of unrealized potential with the Yotes or Leafs.
This kid is supposed to move the puck and hold down a basic reasonable blueline effort.
He has failed at both to this point.
Thats not very fair. In the last 2 seasons, he has shown the ability to move the puck and its pretty easy to see that he has plus offensive potential. He was a trainwreck for the most part in the defensive end, but hes just 20. And once the blueline responsibilities went way south, so did his confidence and his offense. Its understandable at this age.
Not only do I think its unfair to bunch him together with someone like Korpikoski, but I also think hes one of the more indispensable prospects in the system.
Great news, I'm glad he's pumped up. The Rangers really need him to succeed. There is not another defensemen in the system that has his skillset. Some Rangers fans have already given up on him and want to trade him, but unless another young promising PP QB is coming our way, I want no part of it.
Even if he was a defensive trainwreck, he showed potential in that facet. He made a few very good, subtle little plays that most rookies wouldn't. If he improves on his frame, while working on his shot, he should be good to go next season. He also needs to stop thinking so much and just go on instinct. He was SO predictable.
I appreciate you posting the article, but I felt it did didn't really get anything across. The fact that such an article exists is upsetting enough in its own.
Any chance a MDZ-VTank pairing could click? I know they are both used to playing the left side, but with Valentenko leading the Whale in +/- (and being called one of the best shot blockers in the AHL) and Del Z's budding offensive play (where he could still progress in his defensive play) this could be an outstanding third pairing to make our defense even more formidable.
I love our top four as is, and I feel that if these two could learn to work together, it'd be a great third pairing.
He tries to make it appear ominous like if I don't like what their plans are I am going to want to leave so, but that really isn't an option. Maybe I'm just reading into it too much.
No, your right. He has maybe in his wording instead of I am.
MDZ will be fine. It's good to hear he is motivated, but lets not forget he was motivated last off-season too. I really didn't think he was going to have as poor a season as he did after spending the off-season working with Roberts and Stammy.
I like to think positively and am completely on board with the idea that he will improve defensively, as most young defensemen do. But his defensive game has been beyond terrible since around game 20 of his rookie year. I would love to see him succeed and be a PP QB, but there is no way we can tell what will happen with him. Its great and all that he is motivated, but Im pretty sure he said the same sort of thing last summer. I think he needs more time in the AHL to work on his defense.
In parenthesis is where it seems like he could have been a bit more specific. Sounds like: "I plan to play in NY, It's what I love (hockey, or NY? Didn't make that clear), but we'll see what happens."
What have sounded better if he had said, "I plan to play in NY, NY is where I want to play. I have no doubt that everything will work out for the best!"
Thats not very fair. In the last 2 seasons, he has shown the ability to move the puck and its pretty easy to see that he has plus offensive potential. He was a trainwreck for the most part in the defensive end, but hes just 20. And once the blueline responsibilities went way south, so did his confidence and his offense. Its understandable at this age.
Not only do I think its unfair to bunch him together with someone like Korpikoski, but I also think hes one of the more indispensable prospects in the system.
As much as I understand the D man takes more time to blossom.... MDZ will be on thin ice. He better be motivated because he got passed over by Sauer and McDonaugh + the Rangers are bound to look for a vet D man this summer. Where is MDZ supposed to play?
Staal Girardi
Mcd Sauer
I dont see him touching the top 4 and Gilroy beat him out of a spot as well, is he coming back? Add a vet D Man = MDZ better play his ass off or Hartford it is
What about Valentenko and McIlrath? They'll be gunning to make an impression as well.
We all over rate our prospects at times. Its tough to make the NHL. You gotta be the best. Wheres Bobby Sanguinetti? He was supposed to be the answer too.
I will be rooting hard for MDZ to reach his full on hyped potential and beyond. But he has painted himself into a pickle
Any chance a MDZ-VTank pairing could click? I know they are both used to playing the left side, but with Valentenko leading the Whale in +/- (and being called one of the best shot blockers in the AHL) and Del Z's budding offensive play (where he could still progress in his defensive play) this could be an outstanding third pairing to make our defense even more formidable.
I love our top four as is, and I feel that if these two could learn to work together, it'd be a great third pairing.
I had the same thought; any WhalePack fans with any insight as to if VTank can play at all on the right side, or was that something that was never tried? Alternatively MDZ could be tried on the right side but I'm not sure it's worth whatever level of "starting over" that would cause for his positioning, especially with his somewhat logical future partner (I hope anyway) McIlrath being a right shot.
As much as I understand the D man takes more time to blossom.... MDZ will be on thin ice. He better be motivated because he got passed over by Sauer and McDonaugh + the Rangers are bound to look for a vet D man this summer. Where is MDZ supposed to play?
3rd pairing + top PP time. Play him 12 ES minutes, and he'll be fine. When his ice time was reduced in February, he seemed to do much better than when he was playing top-4 minutes at the beginning of the season.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chariot
Staal Girardi
Mcd Sauer
I dont see him touching the top 4 and Gilroy beat him out of a spot as well, is he coming back? Add a vet D Man = MDZ better play his ass off or Hartford it is
Gilroy, even if he is re-signed, isn't guaranteed a spot either. If Del Zotto has a better camp than him, he'll be in the NHL unless the Rangers sign one of the premier puck movers and add another veteran defenseman.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chariot
What about Valentenko and McIlrath? They'll be gunning to make an impression as well.
Unless McIlrath looks like a Norris contender at camp, they're not going to play him at the NHL level. He's nowhere near ready.
As for Valentenko, he could end up on a pairing with Del Zotto.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chariot
We all over rate our prospects at times. Its tough to make the NHL. You gotta be the best. Wheres Bobby Sanguinetti? He was supposed to be the answer too.
When did Bobby Sanguinetti have a 37 point season, let alone play 122 NHL games by the age of 20?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chariot
I will be rooting hard for MDZ to reach his full on hyped potential and beyond. But he has painted himself into a pickle
How? He's going to turn 21 on June 24th. When was the last time the Rangers gave up on someone with his combination of youth and talent?
10-12 mins a night on the third pairing and a full shot at the pp should give him the right developmental opportunity. 21 year old offensive dmen in Torts system are going to be exposed no matter what, this gives him the best chance to adjust to that.
The whole situation to me reads as a question of maturity, including the article. He was certainly thrust into a spot very quickly that he had some success in but couldn't sustain.
He may have felt that he had "made it" already and that things would come easily for him. Last season was (hopefully) a wake-up call. He's going to have to work at it, and the team will have to help him cultivate it.
I'm in no way here saying he mailed it in or anything... just seems from his quotes and from Torts' quotes that he had/has some growing to do mentally.
Will the NYR give up on him? Doubtful. But he's realizing that there are no gurantees for him yet.
This team is stacked on Defense, they're not like the Islanders where they'll just throw anyone out on the ice. The top4 slots are booked solid and the Rangers are looking to improve there.
The competition for the bottom 2 slots is already stiff. Veterans Eminger & McCabe as well as AHL partners Kundratek and Valentenko may all be looking for jobs. That may be in addition to RFA Matt Gilroy and anyone else the Rangers decide to bring in to fill wholes on their defense. My point is, if Del Zotto's defense isn't perfect, he may be starting his season in CT to polish it up before he gets the callup.
There's nothing wrong with developing your defensemen fully before promoting them to the big club. It has certainly worked for Micheal Sauer who was drafted the same year as Mark Staal.
