Canucks fan here, I was fact checking a post I was making and saw that Ryan Mcdonagh has 30 ESP this year. That's pretty solid, but I only ever hear about Del Zotto and Staal when people mention NYR. Is he a product of his defensive partner? And why doesn't he get any PP production given that he's top ten in the league for ES scoring for defensemen?
If that's the case that's honestly scary for the rest of the east down the road, I'll be watching him closely in the playoffs, especially since ES scoring is less transient than PP scoring.
Skys the limit for this kid, he's a workhorse and without a doubt our best all around defenseman. And he's only getting better he's really something special.
The only thing I wish he could add to his game is physicality. Hes a bit soft in that department. I know he's not going to push people out of the crease like Bickel or Sauer, but I'd love to see it.
The only thing I wish he could add to his game is physicality. Hes a bit soft in that department. I know he's not going to push people out of the crease like Bickel or Sauer, but I'd love to see it.
I think his physicallity is more of keeping players to the outside with his strength than actually letting them go to crease in the first place.
I was fact checking a post I was making and saw that Ryan Mcdonagh has 30 ESP this year.
This is very impressive. I didn't realize that he had 6 more even strength points than Del Zotto. McDonagh should work on his endurance and PPQ skills over the summer. If he could add another 5 minutes per game to play on the power play, and do so effectvely, he would be a potential Norris candidate. To be on the ice for half the game, getting 30 even strength points plus another 12-15 on the power play, while playing physical shut-down defense would put him in the top echelon of blueliners.
I think Staal will be a bit better than him defensively, while he'll be a bit better than Staal offensively. McD is a better skater, with slightly better offensive instincts. Staal is more naturally physical, and has more natural defensive skill.
He's flat out unbelievable. Never seen anyone keep up with the big guns at his age. Very, very strong and an excellent skater as well. Offensive game is steadily emerging as well with occasionaly sweet stick handling. Just an all around incredible player.
The best athlete I can compare him to at his age is a baseball player by the name of Robinson Cano. So. Much. Raw. Talent. It sounds random, but fits the comparison very well for inter-sport comparisons lol.
He's flat out unbelievable. Never seen anyone keep up with the big guns at his age. Very, very strong and an excellent skater as well. Offensive game is steadily emerging as well with occasionaly sweet stick handling. Just an all around incredible player.
The best athlete I can compare him to at his age is a baseball player by the name of Robinson Cano. So. Much. Raw. Talent. It sounds random, but fits the comparison very well for inter-sport comparisons lol.
Right now, yes. But when Staal's fully healthy he's as good or better than McDonagh at the defensive end. A healthy Staal should help McDonagh next year because it'll mean a lighter workload for McDonagh and possibly a big step up offensively.
One of the best shut-down players in the game, he shadows the best players around the league every single night...an absolute pleasure to watch every game...looking like a consistent Norris candidate for YEARS to come, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is one of the first USA players picked in 2014
I was not completely sold on him last year but he has really elevated his game this year, knwoing when to step in the rush, improving his speed and just playing solid in his own end. Hes def becoming a top tier D man and without Stall 100% healthy i would say he could be our best D man. Del Zotto has been great also this year but i still put him 4th after Stall, Mcd, Girardi and even Sauer when he was healthy. Were luky to be very deep on D. Even a guy like Stralman who hasent got much credit, to me has been very good and adds some good hands and a great outlet pass that will help us down the road.
I have no idea why people just assumed that a 21 year old in his first year as a pro in either the NHL or the minors would be at the peak of his play. Nobody said this explicitly, but nobody expected him to go significantly above his previous performance.
And to be honest, I don't expect a 22 year old sophomore to peak either. He has another 2-3 years of growth as a player. He will get physically even stronger, and I really think he can elevate his offense.
Let's keep in mind that he was originally thought of as a future offensive defenseman.
