I really, really this kid but the overrating in here is getting ridiculous.
He's so amazing that he has 1 pt in 16 playoffs games (and is a team worst -3)!!!
His offensive game clearly has tons of room for improvement. I think most people here are saying that he's establishing himself as one of the better shutdown defensemen in the league (so long as he keeps this up moving forward - but Ranger fans have no reason to see why he won't, he's pretty much played like this from day one and never had a real bad stretch in his career thus far).
Offensively, he's not there yet. But he has the physical tools (very good skater, pretty good puck handler and distributor of the puck, and just generally a pretty smart player). I think Rangers fans are anticipating that he'll continue on this development curve and become an all around top defensemen pretty soon (hell, I know he's not putting up points in the playoffs, but I think he was 10th in regular season scoring for defensemen?)
Probably not in these playoffs, but in the future I certainly hope so. I think he's a better option on the PP than Staal for sure. But that being said, the Rangers defensive corps looks so solid...there's no reason to see McD play 28+ minutes a night, which is what will happen if he gets lot's of PP time...unless his ES time is decreased (which is probably the best option moving forward, once the Rangers solidify that 3rd pairing - i.e. once Sauer gets healthy).
I really, really this kid but the overrating in here is getting ridiculous.
He's so amazing that he has 1 pt in 16 playoffs games (and is a team worst -3)!!!
He was also 7th in the league amongst D-men in even strength scoring during the regular season. 30 of his 32 points came at even strength. However, I'm sure a 16 game stint in the playoffs is a better picture of what we'll see in the future.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GLaDOS
Is he ever going to get some PP time?
Next season. Most people in the organization feel like he's ready to make the next step offensively.
good player, and will be for years...but when I have watched a few games, he seems to have been pretty average in his own zone...timing on my part may be bad?
Seriously this thing where people bringing up his 1 point in the playoffs, Girardi is one of the league leaders among defensemen in points. That shows you how you can rely on such a small sample.
good player, and will be for years...but when I have watched a few games, he seems to have been pretty average in his own zone...timing on my part may be bad?
If you've seen him be average in his own zone what are you basing him being a good player on?
He was also 7th in the league amongst D-men in even strength scoring during the regular season. 30 of his 32 points came at even strength. However, I'm sure a 16 game stint in the playoffs is a better picture of what we'll see in the future.
Which is why I stated I really like this kid.
To compare him to Letang or Suter is ridiculous though.
Which is why I stated I really like this kid.
To compare him to Letang or Suter is ridiculous though.
I don't think a Suter comparison is that ridiculous.
Suter didn't hit 30 points until his third full season.
McDonagh hit 30 points in his first whole season, practically all ES (not counting the split season between the AHL/NHL the year prior)
Obviously points aren't everything, but considering McDonagh's defensive ability in addition to the similarities in offensive production, I think a Suter comparison is more than fair.
Which is why I stated I really like this kid.
To compare him to Letang or Suter is ridiculous though.
Letang scored 17,33,27 points his first 3 seasons. McDonagh had 32 (I think) his first full season and I believe 29 or 30 of those came from ES.
His skating alone can draw him comparisons to Letang.
I don't see how comparisons to an early Letang or an early Suter (which were my words) are far-fetched.
Definitely can't compare him to Letang, McD is far and away the better defender and he's younger.
The play he made today on Kovalchuk that resulted in a penalty is all you need to see. He pinched in, got caught a bit because Kovalchuk got the puck past the point, in 3 strides he's even with him, takes the puck and forces Kovalchuk into a penalty.
Which is why I stated I really like this kid.
To compare him to Letang or Suter is ridiculous though.
Suter is probably the best comparable player for him, actually. I think ultimately Suter will be a better offensive player but McDonagh will have an edge defensively.
Those looking at his lack of point production in the playoffs have a terrible perspective on things. As has been pointed out already, McDonagh's even strength point production in the regular season was very good and surely should not be undermined by a handful of playoff games. Furthermore, and I know this might be difficult for some people to comprehend, but there is more to offense than point production.McDonagh's skating ability is a huge asset and it allows him to become active on counter attacks and to enter the offensive zone with speed, and this is especially notable when the puck is on his stick specifically. Also, his decision making with the puck from the point is superb. He does not get shots blocked often and always gets the puck deep when being pressured. I understand that stuff like this doesn't look nice on highlight reels or for fantasy teams but they are huge for a team like the Rangers that relies on the forecheck and playing mistake-free hockey.
his defensive game seems very mature but i dont see much from him offensively...looks like a josh gorges kind of player right now. which is awesome.
He's taking much fewer chances with the puck than he was at the end of the regular season. I definitely think he has dialed it back in the playoffs.
Keep in mind this is just his first full season and we'll still have to wait a bit to see how his offensive game develops. He has made some pretty amazing moves in the past season with the puck, dekeing defenders and driving to the net, rushing through the neutral zone, etc. If he had a dangerous shot in any way then he'd definitely be a big offensive contributor. Hopefully he can work on that
Another good game for the kid today. To me it's his consistency that really takes him to the next level. A bad game for him is a once a month type thing.
his defensive game seems very mature but i dont see much from him offensively...looks like a josh gorges kind of player right now. which is awesome.
Gorgers wasn't 7th in the NHL in ES scoring among defenseman. McDonagh is hands and feet above Gorges.
__________________
I feel like this is such an appropriate quote for these boards...
"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience"-Mark Twain
