Jan Levine: Grading the Rangers: Dylan McIlrath w/ His 2016-17 Projected D-Line Pairing Solid year from rookie, though not used enough

Jan for the first time since you have taken over this column I disagree with you. I get what fans want to see however McIlrath is not the player the NYR should have drafted in the first place! The Rangers passed up on Kevin Hayes, Cam Fowler, Vladimir Terasanko,Brock Nelson, Justin Falk, Tyler Toffoli and even Oscar Lindburg, just to name a few! I don't dislike McIlrath however in now way shape or form does he deserve a B. He has not played to his potential at all! That big shot doesn't find the net a lot and more than it finds the net. I can appreciate him going after Simmons and getting a big hit once in a while but just not enough. He has not even come close to the player everyone had hoped he would be. He has been given chances and just has not shown enough to keep himself in the game.

Jan for the first time since you have taken over this column I disagree with you. I get what fans want to see however McIlrath is not the player the NYR should have drafted in the first place! The Rangers passed up on Kevin Hayes, Cam Fowler, Vladimir Terasanko,Brock Nelson, Justin Falk, Tyler Toffoli and even Oscar Lindburg, just to name a few! I don't dislike McIlrath however in now way shape or form does he deserve a B. He has not played to his potential at all! That big shot doesn't find the net a lot and more than it finds the net. I can appreciate him going after Simmons and getting a big hit once in a while but just not enough. He has not even come close to the player everyone had hoped he would be. He has been given chances and just has not shown enough to keep himself in the game.
- RangerFan1110

Dude...

Jan Levine: Grading the Rangers: Dylan McIlrath w/ His 2016-17 Projected D-Line Pairing
Solid year from rookie, though not used enough
- airjan23

Biggest knock against him, is his poor skating technique, and for a Dman, thats trouble. Gets beat to the outside frequently and looks a step behind, however, does have a very good shot, and is tough as nails. Like to see him get a shot, (pun intended) on the PP in the preseason, may as well untilize his strengths.

Jan for the first time since you have taken over this column I disagree with you. I get what fans want to see however McIlrath is not the player the NYR should have drafted in the first place! The Rangers passed up on Kevin Hayes, Cam Fowler, Vladimir Terasanko,Brock Nelson, Justin Falk, Tyler Toffoli and even Oscar Lindburg, just to name a few! I don't dislike McIlrath however in now way shape or form does he deserve a B. He has not played to his potential at all! That big shot doesn't find the net a lot and more than it finds the net. I can appreciate him going after Simmons and getting a big hit once in a while but just not enough. He has not even come close to the player everyone had hoped he would be. He has been given chances and just has not shown enough to keep himself in the game.
- RangerFan1110

Don't forget about Schwartz..

I remember when the Rangers drafted him. Had his name on the jersey already. Ol' Sather must have been really high on him.

I would like to see him Paired with McD. I think a B is fair, didn't think he looked out of place out there and has a good shot. He provides toughness the team is lacking and should be a mainstay IMO. Enough with who we could have got instead of him, he's who we got and that's it.

Don't forget about Schwartz..

I remember when the Rangers drafted him. Had his name on the jersey already. Ol' Sather must have been really high on him.
- KxKodiak

..

Gonna be fun watching Shatty in NY when he signs as a free-agent!

Jan for the first time since you have taken over this column I disagree with you. I get what fans want to see however McIlrath is not the player the NYR should have drafted in the first place! The Rangers passed up on Kevin Hayes, Cam Fowler, Vladimir Terasanko,Brock Nelson, Justin Falk, Tyler Toffoli and even Oscar Lindburg, just to name a few! I don't dislike McIlrath however in now way shape or form does he deserve a B. He has not played to his potential at all! That big shot doesn't find the net a lot and more than it finds the net. I can appreciate him going after Simmons and getting a big hit once in a while but just not enough. He has not even come close to the player everyone had hoped he would be. He has been given chances and just has not shown enough to keep himself in the game.
- RangerFan1110

Understand the view and agree with who they passed up being between options than McIlrath, but that doesn't impact the grade I gave him. Part of that was based on expectations and how low they were before the season started. He will always be compared to those passed up to take him, like Huge Jeasiman, but if he can be solid defensively, then he provides some value just not to the extent of the others.

I agree with the solid B rating but only because he didn't play as much as he
should have. Not his fault at all. Don't know what AV was thinking. Too loyal to vets Girardi (played hurt too much) and Boyle ( thanks again slats you moron, should have signed Stralman)
McIlrath needs to play regularly to get better. Did a good job last year with the way AV was pulling his chain so much. Dylan Mac is big, tough, defensively sound Dman.
He's our only defenseman who LIKES to clear the crease. We need that desperately.
Should start out the year as a 6 and play with Skeij. Wouldn't be surprised if they become 3 & 4 in the second half of year. Reminds me of Michael Sauer somewhat.
He'll be a big addition to the team next year IF he plays every game. No reason why he shouldn't. We're a much tougher team to play against with him in the lineup.
AV, you've got plenty of your precious speed on the team again. We need McIlrath's
presence on the club to compliment that and give us that physical dimension.

In Mcllrath's defense, he hasn't gotten enough time on ice IMO, but he's definetly not what NYR expected when drafted, but as far as NYR passing over other players for him, heinsight is 20-20. EVery team does same thing every single drafrt.

am I the only one who remembers that McIlrath got hurt March 6th vs the Islanders on a Clutterbuck hit just when he was starting to play pretty regularly?

http://nypost.com/2016/03...kes-a-turn-for-the-worse/

Mac rath: enigma sum what .... yes big tough element
BUT way to may times he is a play behind .....if given the chance
I dont think he would get better ,he would be exposed and play against his weaknesses not strengths as a fill in & 3rd pair gettin 12 -14 min... spotting him against weaker match ups is how we have hidden him.... top pair he would get blown out .....

Trade fodder ? Jan's combos on D shows the other foot has come down yet....

gotta shed a stalwart D for progressive type.....specifically top pair

Mac & ?(shatty - lindholm)
Shey & g man
klein & Holden / mac rath

Staal has most value to make deal with nash : Ana or st lou will take bait .....

Mac rath: enigma sum what .... yes big tough element
BUT way to may times he is a play behind .....if given the chance
I dont think he would get better ,he would be exposed and play against his weaknesses not strengths as a fill in & 3rd pair gettin 12 -14 min... spotting him against weaker match ups is how we have hidden him.... top pair he would get blown out .....

Trade fodder ? Jan's combos on D shows the other foot has come down yet....

gotta shed a stalwart D for progressive type.....specifically top pair

Mac & ?(shatty - lindholm)
Shey & g man
klein & Holden / mac rath

Staal has most value to make deal with nash : Ana or st lou will take bait .....
- Dundee13

why would Anaheim or St. Louis want Marc Staal?

5 years left on his contract, 5.7 mil a year cap hit. will turn 30 years old during the coming season.

Staal isn't going anywhere. Rangers need to really hope that a long off season re-invigerates him.

McIlrath was one of our few bright spots last year.
Seemed to make a difference having him in the lineup for
Game 2 vs the Pens. Only game he played in and our only win in the series
before we fizzled out in 5. Good young player now and will get better
the more he plays. Has good potential to be a Beukeboom type Dman.
Pairing him with the up and coming Skeij would give us good promise
for a young and developing defensive pair who would compliment each other
with their distinct talents. Beuk-Leetch hard to replicate but would be our best
shot at getting close. Holden will not bring us anywhere near as much as
what a developing McIlrath will. Holden adds depth but should be a 7 and then probably off to Vegas in the expansion draft next year.

Wonder if TPC made it through the weekend. He was pretty well (frank)ed up on Friday.

why would Anaheim or St. Louis want Marc Staal?

5 years left on his contract, 5.7 mil a year cap hit. will turn 30 years old during the coming season.

Staal isn't going anywhere. Rangers need to really hope that a long off season re-invigerates him.
- jimbro83

Rangers are stuck with Staal & Girardi, minus a buyout or we give up a very good prospect with either one of them for a 2nd/3rd.

All hail McIlrath 🙏🏼

Wonder if TPC made it through the weekend. He was pretty well (frank)ed up on Friday.
- mdw7413

It was Saturday and yes I was...but hey i still found time to check in with you guys from the bar

It was Saturday and yes I was...but hey i still found time to check in with you guys from the bar
- TPC

I don't know what day it was, I stopped in for 5 minutes for death threats and abuse.

All hail McIlrath 🙏🏼
- rangerdanger94

Tanner gave you a nice shoutout.

Tanner gave you a nice shoutout.
- mdw7413

I'm honored

I don't know what day it was, I stopped in for 5 minutes for death threats and abuse.
- mdw7413

I forget what it was but you disagreed with my Vesey 30 goal prediction. You should have seen it coming

I forget what it was but you disagreed with my Vesey 30 goal prediction. You should have seen it coming
- TPC

I didn't know you were sauced..

I didn't know you were sauced..
- mdw7413

White sauced?

Theres no way Mcilrath isn't given every chance this year based on the need to reach those games played or become a UFA. I think he takes some big steps this year into becoming a regular. Playing him with Mac to start the year is for sure an interesting thought