Wasn't the reason.
- Cptmjl

I think Jimbro was saying it was the start of all the bad blood, not the sole reason.

I think it gives them protection in the event Stralman seeks more money than what the Rangers are willing to offer. I still see McIlrath as someone the organization thinks can be a steady defender and a force physically. Of course the injuries aren't helping any and I can understand the impatience.
- gkmkiller

I don't know, I want to be patient with the kid, but my gut is telling me that its just not happening with him. I think the injuries are hurting, but I think we can already see that the Coach, at least now, seems to like Conor Allen better than McIlrath. Granted, Allen is a lefthanded shot, while McIlrath is a righty, but I think McIlrath has already been passed on the organizational depth chart by Allen, and then Skjei is also coming as well.

I think the acquisition of Klein, as I said yesterday, is a really bad sign for McIlrath. I would love to be wrong, and I would love to add that tough physical defender, but I think the signs are pointing to McIlrath not working out.

Wasn't the reason.
- Cptmjl

Was it Cappy playing him 3 minutes a night with Reasnor and Pandalfo?

That was a bad trade, Clutterbuck & 3rd for Nino, but I guess with everybody being disgruntled about the situation, he wasn't going to get fair trade value for him.
- mdw7413

I for one was a Clutterbuck fan but never thought he'd be an Islander. Was pretty shocked when I heard about the trade. He hasn't played as well as he did in Minnesota but his game has come around a bit. With that said you are correct in thinking we weren't going to get fair value. That's what happens when an agent goes public. It really screws the team trying to do what the agent wants.

Was it Cappy playing him 3 minutes a night with Reasnor and Pandalfo?
- tomburton99

I believe that was 90% of it and rightfully so. Was pretty aggravating to watch.

I think Jimbro was saying it was the start of all the bad blood, not the sole reason.
- mdw7413

I just think it had very little to do with what happened.

I for one was a Clutterbuck fan but never thought he'd be an Islander. Was pretty shocked when I heard about the trade. He hasn't played as well as he did in Minnesota but his game has come around a bit. With that said you are correct in thinking we weren't going to get fair value. That's what happens when an agent goes public. It really screws the team trying to do what the agent wants.
- Cptmjl

Yup, I loved Clutterbuck in Minny too. Prust type player. And honestly your 4th line should be your 2nd line.

I don't know, I want to be patient with the kid, but my gut is telling me that its just not happening with him. I think the injuries are hurting, but I think we can already see that the Coach, at least now, seems to like Conor Allen better than McIlrath. Granted, Allen is a lefthanded shot, while McIlrath is a righty, but I think McIlrath has already been passed on the organizational depth chart by Allen, and then Skjei is also coming as well.

I think the acquisition of Klein, as I said yesterday, is a really bad sign for McIlrath. I would love to be wrong, and I would love to add that tough physical defender, but I think the signs are pointing to McIlrath not working out.
- Pete V

That's what happens when you have one bad knee and real issues skating.

Yup, I loved Clutterbuck in Minny too. Prust type player. And honestly your 4th line should be your 2nd line.
- mdw7413

They are a great 4th line. Personel decisions are not one of Capuano's strong suits. In fact Capuano doesn't have any strong suits. Terrible coach.

They are a great 4th line. Personel decisions are not one of Capuano's strong suits. In fact Capuano doesn't have any strong suits. Terrible coach.
- Cptmjl

It is amazing though. At this time you probably have the best 1st line in all of hockey, or at least one of the best. Your next two lines are almost invisible, and then your 4th line is really good. Figure Capuano could do something to get those other two lines to be some what relevant.

It is amazing though. At this time you probably have the best 1st line in all of hockey, or at least one of the best. Your next two lines are almost invisible, and then your 4th line is really good. Figure Capuano could do something to get those other two lines to be some what relevant.
- mdw7413

It's a refusal and a complete lack of intelligence that prevents him from doing anything. His personel decisions are mind boggling. Most of what he does is mind boggling. Real nice guy but a real bad coach. Speaks volumes about Snow's thought process that this guy still has a job. The team is winning in spite of Capuano, just like they did last year.

That's what happens when you have one bad knee and real issues skating.
- tomburton99

It's a real, real limited sample size, but I think he looked out of place the two games he played with the Rangers this year. Taken on its own, I could give that a pass, because of course it takes awhile to get used to playing defense on the NHL level, but what I find more problematic is the fact that you never hear any real glowing reports about his play in Hartford. He hear that he is improving, or that he is playing well, but in general, the reports of his play are all very tepid. Again, I hope that I am misreading things here, and he can become a good defensemen for the Rangers, but you can argue that the acquisition of Klein provides the first clue that the Rangers don't see that happening (although it could alternatively be a bad sign for Stralman).

It's a real, real limited sample size, but I think he looked out of place the two games he played with the Rangers this year. Taken on its own, I could give that a pass, because of course it takes awhile to get used to playing defense on the NHL level, but what I find more problematic is the fact that you never hear any real glowing reports about his play in Hartford. He hear that he is improving, or that he is playing well, but in general, the reports of his play are all very tepid. Again, I hope that I am misreading things here, and he can become a good defensemen for the Rangers, but you can argue that the acquisition of Klein provides the first clue that the Rangers don't see that happening (although it could alternatively be a bad sign for Stralman).
- Pete V

Considering Klein plays more like Girardi, you could also say it's not a good sign for the negotiations with G too. But you are right, Dylan Mcilrath is 21, almost 22. While that's still a baby in terms of defense, the Rangers just traded a 23 year old for a 29 year old. Dylan Mcilrath has to develop and it has to be soon, or he's what most people thought he would be. A reach and now a bust.

Considering Klein plays more like Girardi, you could also say it's not a good sign for the negotiations with G too. But you are right, Dylan Mcilrath is 21, almost 22. While that's still a baby in terms of defense, the Rangers just traded a 23 year old for a 29 year old. Dylan Mcilrath has to develop and it has to be soon, or he's what most people thought he would be. A reach and now a bust.
- tomburton99

IMO, Tom, I think its a lock the Rangers sign Girardi. Maybe this isn't the best way to look at it, but unless Girardi gets real greedy, I think the club will be fine with paying their first defensive pair between $10-11 million, especially with the cost certainty they have with Klein now (tied up for the next four years at $2.9 million). Of course, who we haven't mentioned in Staal, and where things stand with him, but with Mac and Moore on that side, and Allen down in Hartford, they wouldn't be left completely naked if things with Staal go south.

Considering Klein plays more like Girardi, you could also say it's not a good sign for the negotiations with G too. But you are right, Dylan Mcilrath is 21, almost 22. While that's still a baby in terms of defense, the Rangers just traded a 23 year old for a 29 year old. Dylan Mcilrath has to develop and it has to be soon, or he's what most people thought he would be. A reach and now a bust.
- tomburton99

Could it also possibly be Lundqvist isn't getting any younger, and management sees this as a small window with Lundqvist as our goalie for a cup run, and they don't want to have all these possible young D men who are projects and not known commodities. Because if we don't resign Stralman and didn't trade DZ we would have J Moore, DZ and possibly Allen, who would all be considered projects. Not really what you want necessarily if you want to make a cup run.

Could it also possibly be Lundqvist isn't getting any younger, and management sees this as a small window with Lundqvist as our goalie for a cup run, and they don't want to have all these possible young D men who are projects and not known commodities. Because if we don't resign Stralman and didn't trade DZ we would have J Moore, DZ and possibly Allen, who would all be considered projects. Not really what you want necessarily if you want to make a cup run.
- mdw7413

I can understand wanting a team that has be around the block once. Klein's contract, the years, specifically are a nice bonus in the trade. But for the Rangers to a legit playoff team they need another scoring winger. DZ will always either be viewed as an idiot or guy we traded to early. No other way around it. But Mcilrath, he's differnent. Most assume if you're labeled as a top 10 selection you should play like it. Granted, none of the players taken after Mcilrath, other than Fowler, have turned into eye opening players, yet. That pick may set the Rangers back years.

I think it gives them protection in the event Stralman seeks more money than what the Rangers are willing to offer. I still see McIlrath as someone the organization thinks can be a steady defender and a force physically. Of course the injuries aren't helping any and I can understand the impatience.
- gkmkiller

This is just his second season in the AHL. He wasn't terrible in the two games he played with the Rangers either; albiet limited TOI.

Though, his injuries do suck azz.

This is just his second season in the AHL. He wasn't terrible in the two games he played with the Rangers either; albiet limited TOI.

Though, his injuries do suck azz.
- mames11

Maybe it's just a matter of opinion, but I actually thought he was terrible the two games he played with the Rangers (or at least borderline terrible). Not a guy that looked like the coach would trust giving him any significant minutes.

Coaches do fall in love with the 3 RH/3 LH shots thing, and he had two guys on the third pair that both liked to play on their natural side. Basically, the Rangers chose Moore over Del Zotto with this trade. And, again, the trade is probably not a good sign for McIlrath either.
- Pete V

I think that's very true Pete, they chose Moore over DZ cause they are similar players. I like John Moore, I'm just curious as to what the Rangers management looked at when deciding this. Moore has been just as inconsistent as DZ and really has only been here 1 yr to be evaluated.

For this year it will help balance out the lineup more to AV's liking but I think it was very shortsighted by Sather & others involved to trade a 23 yr old dman still with good offensive upside for a 29 yr old dman that is what he is, nothing special but a solid dman. The Rangers were playing well, no reason to swing that trade with DZ's value so low. I hope I'm wrong and Klein comes in and plays physical and is great for the next 5 yrs for us. I just think they would have been better off holding off on the trade while DZ rebuilt some value and got a younger guy with some upside instead.

Maybe it's just a matter of opinion, but I actually thought he was terrible the two games he played with the Rangers (or at least borderline terrible). Not a guy that looked like the coach would trust giving him any significant minutes.
- Pete V

He was not bad at all. Was a -1 on a goal where he just came off the bench and had an opposition pass bounce over his stick that lead to a breakaway goal.

Plus, wasn't he paired with MDZ?

I can understand wanting a team that has be around the block once. Klein's contract, the years, specifically are a nice bonus in the trade. But for the Rangers to a legit playoff team they need another scoring winger. DZ will always either be viewed as an idiot or guy we traded to early. No other way around it. But Mcilrath, he's differnent. Most assume if you're labeled as a top 10 selection you should play like it. Granted, none of the players taken after Mcilrath, other than Fowler, have turned into eye opening players, yet. That pick may set the Rangers back years.
- tomburton99

As for the ufa market for forwards, nothing really jumps out at me except Marleau, and I'm assuming he stays with SJ, Vanek, and possibly Moulson. If we keep Cally & G do we have enough money to get a proven scoring winger?

He was not bad at all. Was a -1 on a goal where he just came off the bench and had an opposition pass bounce over his stick that lead to a breakaway goal.

Plus, wasn't he paired with MDZ?
- mames11

Look at this way, in two games with the Rangers McIlrath averaged 7 minutes a night. Conor Allen, in three games, averaged over twice that, playing approximately 15 minutes a game. Plus, Allen was out there protecting leads in the third period, which McIlrath was not.

So, what does that say about the coach's trust level in the two recent defensive call ups from Hartford?

But, it's a real limited sample size, so I guess we will see.

I don't know, I want to be patient with the kid, but my gut is telling me that its just not happening with him. I think the injuries are hurting, but I think we can already see that the Coach, at least now, seems to like Conor Allen better than McIlrath. Granted, Allen is a lefthanded shot, while McIlrath is a righty, but I think McIlrath has already been passed on the organizational depth chart by Allen, and then Skjei is also coming as well.

I think the acquisition of Klein, as I said yesterday, is a really bad sign for McIlrath. I would love to be wrong, and I would love to add that tough physical defender, but I think the signs are pointing to McIlrath not working out.
- Pete V

I see two of the three current RH shots on this team as UFA's after the season. Free agency as we all know can be unpredictable and it may not matter how much we may want to re-sign a player, if another team comes knocking with a big offer we could lose one or both of Girardi and Stralman. In that case an opening is there for McI.

Obviously McI is not ready this year. He still has some fine tuning he needs to do on his game. Granted, at best I see him as no better than a 2nd pair D who can intimidate. But when you look at the overall failure rate of even players taken 10th I'd be okay with that development.

It's easy to sit here after the fact and say we would have been better off taking so and so instead of this guy but there is a reason the Rangers made this decision. Maybe they didn't like something about Fowler. Maybe it turns out to be a mistake. Every team makes mistakes. But let's not write the kid off yet. He's still just 21, 22. He has time.

I see two of the three current RH shots on this team as UFA's after the season. Free agency as we all know can be unpredictable and it may not matter how much we may want to re-sign a player, if another team comes knocking with a big offer we could lose one or both of Girardi and Stralman. In that case an opening is there for McI.

Obviously McI is not ready this year. He still has some fine tuning he needs to do on his game. Granted, at best I see him as no better than a 2nd pair D who can intimidate. But when you look at the overall failure rate of even players taken 10th I'd be okay with that development.

It's easy to sit here after the fact and say we would have been better off taking so and so instead of this guy but there is a reason the Rangers made this decision. Maybe they didn't like something about Fowler. Maybe it turns out to be a mistake. Every team makes mistakes. But let's not write the kid off yet. He's still just 21, 22. He has time.
- gkmkiller

This is where the DZ criticism was stupid. If we apply that logic to McI cause he isn't here playing, why can't we apply that to 23 year old DZ?

I think that's very true Pete, they chose Moore over DZ cause they are similar players. I like John Moore, I'm just curious as to what the Rangers management looked at when deciding this. Moore has been just as inconsistent as DZ and really has only been here 1 yr to be evaluated.

For this year it will help balance out the lineup more to AV's liking but I think it was very shortsighted by Sather & others involved to trade a 23 yr old dman still with good offensive upside for a 29 yr old dman that is what he is, nothing special but a solid dman. The Rangers were playing well, no reason to swing that trade with DZ's value so low. I hope I'm wrong and Klein comes in and plays physical and is great for the next 5 yrs for us. I just think they would have been better off holding off on the trade while DZ rebuilt some value and got a younger guy with some upside instead.
- pcjr307

I don't mind the deal because it gave the Rangers a RH D-man and added some physicality and toughness.

I don't blaem MDZ too much for his poor play. He was paired with shakey d-men nearly all season. I recall the game Stralman got hurt early and he was bumped up to play with Staal. DZ logged over 20 minutes that game adn played verty well.

As far as his stats over 5 seasons; not too bad really. 41 points two seasons ago and on pace for that last (shortened) season. Granted only 11 points this year, but the whole team started bad. Perhaps a change in location will do him some good. Just please don't go to the Pens next year