Something else on McIlrath: Hockey Prospectus did a study calculating when players tend to reach their peak based on position. I even did a less comprehensive study on my own which essentially confirmed the validity of what they came up with. Basically, defenseman peak later in their career; right around the age of 27 or 28. McIlrath just turned 21 in April. If he makes the NHL by the end of next season or the beginning of the 2014 - 2015 campaign then McIlrath will have five or six seasons before reaching his peak. Then probably another three or four seasons of near peak-level performance. So, eight to 10 years of having one of the biggest baddest blue liners in the game? Sign me up for that.

I honestly think that choosing McI was the wrong decision at the time. Drafting for need over best available is not the way to go IMO. You should always draft by picking the best available player, even in there is a logjam in that area. Think about it, if we drafted Fowler and we had both Fowler and DZ, we could have already packaged one of them for an organazational need like a top 6 winger or a McI type bruising D man. Drafting the best available is always the way to go
- WayneY

You have to remember why we drafted McI. Lundqvist was getting run into often and we were not intimidating anyone with our blueline. Sometimes the need outweighs the best player available. It would have been nice if he were a 2nd round pick or was more NHL ready at the time. Hopefully he will be worth it in th end.

- TrueBlue9182

When did Howdy Doody make a music video?

Something else on McIlrath: Hockey Prospectus did a study calculating when players tend to reach their peak based on position. I even did a less comprehensive study on my own which essentially confirmed the validity of what they came up with. Basically, defenseman peak later in their career; right around the age of 27 or 28. McIlrath just turned 21 in April. If he makes the NHL by the end of next season or the beginning of the 2014 - 2015 campaign then McIlrath will have five or six seasons before reaching his peak. Then probably another three or four seasons of near peak-level performance. So, eight to 10 years of having one of the biggest baddest blue liners in the game? Sign me up for that.
- gkmkiller

Patience isn't the easiest thing for us fans to accept. But sometimes it is needed and can offer huge dividends.

Something else on McIlrath: Hockey Prospectus did a study calculating when players tend to reach their peak based on position. I even did a less comprehensive study on my own which essentially confirmed the validity of what they came up with. Basically, defenseman peak later in their career; right around the age of 27 or 28. McIlrath just turned 21 in April. If he makes the NHL by the end of next season or the beginning of the 2014 - 2015 campaign then McIlrath will have five or six seasons before reaching his peak. Then probably another three or four seasons of near peak-level performance. So, eight to 10 years of having one of the biggest baddest blue liners in the game? Sign me up for that.
- gkmkiller

Sounds awesome, love your work with Math too Glen!

What is everyone off on Sat? Not a single peep out of the club or Tweets in general...

You have to remember why we drafted McI. Lundqvist was getting run into often and we were not intimidating anyone with our blueline. Sometimes the need outweighs the best player available. It would have been nice if he were a 2nd round pick or was more NHL ready at the time. Hopefully he will be worth it in th end.
- Prucha

If Mcilrath doesn't make, the Rangers have Skjei, Andersson and maybe Allen, but they lack another blue chip back their. However, DZ, Mcdonagh and Moore are still very young.

If Mcilrath does make the team while Zuccarello is still on it, it's gonna get somewhat confusing around here between MDZ, MZA, McD, nd McI.

If Mcilrath does make the team while Zuccarello is still on it, it's gonna get somewhat confusing around here between MDZ, MZA, McD, nd McI.
- MeanestOfTimes

The one thing I love about this year is that the Rangers have some top end prospect depth with the Whale available in case of injury or poor play. Having a McIlrath, Kristo, Fast, Lindberg, Miller etc all a call away if they don't make the team and are playing well in the AHL is a good luxury.

The one thing I love about this year is that the Rangers have some top end prospect depth with the Whale available in case of injury or poor play. Having a McIlrath, Kristo, Fast, Lindberg, Miller etc all a call away if they don't make the team and are playing well in the AHL is a good luxury.
- TPC

I guess you think Kreider's AHL day are over?

I guess you think Kreider's AHL day are over?
- blacksheep1

haha he is still eligible for the calder somehow, I think he makes a run for it this year

watching the washington winnipeg preseason game.

so awesome to see live nhl hockey

watching the washington winnipeg preseason game.

so awesome to see live nhl hockey
- rangerdanger94

Figures im working

At least im off for the Rangers first game

Lindberg scored in today's scrimmage. Now he's scoring against some NHL talent.

Lindberg scored in today's scrimmage. Now he's scoring against some NHL talent.
- blacksheep1

That's debatable.JK Sorry I had too

So Brooks says Step and Rangers about a million apart on two year deal. Can we split the difference fellas and get it in at two years, $6.5MM? Demoting Aaron Johnson and one forward would get the team under the cap by s few hundred grand.

So Brooks says Step and Rangers about a million apart on two year deal. Can we split the difference fellas and get it in at two years, $6.5MM? Demoting Aaron Johnson and one forward would get the team under the cap by s few hundred grand.
- gkmkiller

It will happen, just a game of chicken till it gets real close to opening night, sadly. Step will be very sluggish likely for the first few weeks cause of this, a silly situation, but not the first, nor the last time it will happen.

It will happen, just a game of chicken till it gets real close to opening night, sadly. Step will be very sluggish likely for the first few weeks cause of this, a silly situation, but not the first, nor the last time it will happen.
- B2B76

Doesn't seem worth it to me. He's endangering his chances to make Team USA by sitting out as well. If he gets off to a sluggish start because he misses camp he may not make the Olympic squad. All for a relative pittance compared to what this kid is likely to earn over the course of his career.

So i'm watching the training camp special from this morning.. Richards definitely looks like a man who wants his glory back. McI looks pretty good, albiet a bit slow to me but nothing that can't be worked on.

Also just found out that my pops picked up some tickets to the yankee stadium game vs the Devils for the family for Christmas, Was told our tickets are center ice so that should be fun!

So i'm watching the training camp special from this morning.. Richards definitely looks like a man who wants his glory back. McI looks pretty good, albiet a bit slow to me but nothing that can't be worked on.

Also just found out that my pops picked up some tickets to the yankee stadium game vs the Devils for the family for Christmas, Was told our tickets are center ice so that should be fun!
- MeltingPlastic

Lucky dog.

So Brooks says Step and Rangers about a million apart on two year deal. Can we split the difference fellas and get it in at two years, $6.5MM? Demoting Aaron Johnson and one forward would get the team under the cap by s few hundred grand.
- gkmkiller

we'd need to carry 2 extra forwards though while cally and hags are out.

So i'm watching the training camp special from this morning.. Richards definitely looks like a man who wants his glory back. McI looks pretty good, albiet a bit slow to me but nothing that can't be worked on.

Also just found out that my pops picked up some tickets to the yankee stadium game vs the Devils for the family for Christmas, Was told our tickets are center ice so that should be fun!
- MeltingPlastic

missed it but that's good to hear about both richie and mcilrath. if richards regains form and becomes a 90 point player again...imagine how sweet that would be.

we'd need to carry 2 extra forwards though while cally and hags are out.


missed it but that's good to hear about both richie and mcilrath. if richards regains form and becomes a 90 point player again...imagine how sweet that would be.
- rangerdanger94

It would be real sweet.

Lucky dog.
- blacksheep1

it's on again later today, at 4. im dvr-ing it

Hey all, long time no see! I just recently moved out of market.. is Center Ice now available because 2 weeks ago they wouldn't let me sign up yet. Would it let me watch the pre-season games anyway though?

Also, hoping Step gets done the next 2 days, he really shouldn't be missing camp.. my guess, 2 years $3.5 per.

Hey all, long time no see! I just recently moved out of market.. is Center Ice now available because 2 weeks ago they wouldn't let me sign up yet. Would it let me watch the pre-season games anyway though?

Also, hoping Step gets done the next 2 days, he really shouldn't be missing camp.. my guess, 2 years $3.5 per.
- mrhattrick27

yo, sup dude

I think that number is what Step's been asking for and the Rangers haven't been willing to go that high.

But, no matter what, he needs to get in there, this sucks balls