Let me ask you this question: Do you expect MDZ to make a mistake when he is on the ice when you watch the game? If so, is it possible you are so intent waiting for a mistake that you jump all over that error but perhaps overlook some subtly good plays he makes?

I'm not saying you are wrong; I ask because I have noticed this of most of us. If you go into a game or situation expecting a player to make bad play, chances are you will find one or more.

I can't say one way or the other right now how well MDZ has looked of late. I simply haven't specifically watched him for a whole game. I've noticed some mistakes but I've also noticed some good plays too. It's hard to get a true sense sometimes how a player is doing, unless they either dominate or are god-awful because we aren't focused only on that one player
- gkmkiller

I've been a Rangers fan since 1955. I have seen them play in the old Garden between 49th and 50th streets (along with the NBA doubleheaders they used to have in the good old days).

You don't have to key on one player to see he is struggling. When he makes mistakes that lead to game winning goals he stands out. When he continually gets beat as a result of using a stick check on a player rushing up ice near the boards instead of just brushing him with the body he stands out.

Look, Del Zotto is still only 23 years old. He is going to make mistakes. All players do and defense takes longer to master than the forward position. I can't fault a young player for making mistakes. I get it.

But....and that is a big BUT, Del Zotto continues to make the same mistakes over and over and over again. Yes, he will make a good play every once in while but they pale in comparison to the amount of bad plays he makes.

And.... I continue to hear through the rumor mill when I am at the games is that MDZ is enjoying NYC night life a little too much (as is Brian Boyle).

I can't say whether or not that is really true or not but something has happened to his game enough to make the Rangers organization look to trade him.

There have been games when I have singled him out and watched him every shift.
The kid has NHL talent for sure but I don't know whether that talent extends to the gray matter between his ears. I would hate to see him traded and then straighten himself out as that could come back to haunt us. But.....if he has devolved again....like he did a few years back and was banished to Hartford......maybe the team has figured he can't be saved from himself.

That would be really sad.

I've been a Rangers fan since 1955. I have seen them play in the old Garden between 49th and 50th streets (along with the NBA doubleheaders they used to have in the good old days).

You don't have to key on one player to see he is struggling. When he makes mistakes that lead to game winning goals he stands out. When he continually gets beat as a result of using a stick check on a player rushing up ice near the boards instead of just brushing him with the body he stands out.

Look, Del Zotto is still only 23 years old. He is going to make mistakes. All players do and defense takes longer to master than the forward position. I can't fault a young player for making mistakes. I get it.

But....and that is a big BUT, Del Zotto continues to make the same mistakes over and over and over again. Yes, he will make a good play every once in while but they pale in comparison to the amount of bad plays he makes.

And.... I continue to hear through the rumor mill when I am at the games is that MDZ is enjoying NYC night life a little too much (as is Brian Boyle).

I can't say whether or not that is really true or not but something has happened to his game enough to make the Rangers organization look to trade him.

There have been games when I have singled him out and watched him every shift.
The kid has NHL talent for sure but I don't know whether that talent extends to the gray matter between his ears. I would hate to see him traded and then straighten himself out as that could come back to haunt us. But.....if he has devolved again....like he did a few years back and was banished to Hartford......maybe the team has figured he can't be saved from himself.

That would be really sad.
- Downeaster

I hope if we trade him it doesn't come back to bite us in the ass like seguin with Boston.

I wonder if hes given thought to trying out the helmet Messier designed/is designing that helps to prevent concussions.

Although, I dont know what that helmet will do to protect him if he gets side swiped with a shoulder or elbow.
- aecliptic

The helmets will certainly help the head when it hits the ice and boards, but a lot of re-occuring concussions are also caused my jaw-jarring hits. Along with the newly designed helmets, I thing better mouth guards are also needed. Far too often I have been seeing players get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th concussion from a hit to the jaw (ala Nash earlier in the season).

I hope if we trade him it doesn't come back to bite us in the ass like seguin with Boston.
- rangerdanger94

The issue with Del Zotto is this is 4th full season in the league, and he continues to regress not progress. The notion that defensemen take longer to develop is valid, but only to a point.

I've been a Rangers fan since 1955. I have seen them play in the old Garden between 49th and 50th streets (along with the NBA doubleheaders they used to have in the good old days).

You don't have to key on one player to see he is struggling. When he makes mistakes that lead to game winning goals he stands out. When he continually gets beat as a result of using a stick check on a player rushing up ice near the boards instead of just brushing him with the body he stands out.

Look, Del Zotto is still only 23 years old. He is going to make mistakes. All players do and defense takes longer to master than the forward position. I can't fault a young player for making mistakes. I get it.

But....and that is a big BUT, Del Zotto continues to make the same mistakes over and over and over again. Yes, he will make a good play every once in while but they pale in comparison to the amount of bad plays he makes.

And.... I continue to hear through the rumor mill when I am at the games is that MDZ is enjoying NYC night life a little too much (as is Brian Boyle).

I can't say whether or not that is really true or not but something has happened to his game enough to make the Rangers organization look to trade him.

There have been games when I have singled him out and watched him every shift.
The kid has NHL talent for sure but I don't know whether that talent extends to the gray matter between his ears. I would hate to see him traded and then straighten himself out as that could come back to haunt us. But.....if he has devolved again....like he did a few years back and was banished to Hartford......maybe the team has figured he can't be saved from himself.

That would be really sad.
- Downeaster

Great post. I think its comical how leaf fans want the moon and stars for Gardiner while MDZ is considered crap. Yet MDZ is young and shown more flashes

Great post. I think its comical how leaf fans want the moon and stars for Gardiner while MDZ is considered crap. Yet MDZ is young and shown more flashes
- Bieksa#3

I think that's true of all fans. However, a MDZ, Gardiner swap makes little sense for either team. It's just an exchange of similar players, with similar issues.

I've been a Rangers fan since 1955. I have seen them play in the old Garden between 49th and 50th streets (along with the NBA doubleheaders they used to have in the good old days).

You don't have to key on one player to see he is struggling. When he makes mistakes that lead to game winning goals he stands out. When he continually gets beat as a result of using a stick check on a player rushing up ice near the boards instead of just brushing him with the body he stands out.

Look, Del Zotto is still only 23 years old. He is going to make mistakes. All players do and defense takes longer to master than the forward position. I can't fault a young player for making mistakes. I get it.

But....and that is a big BUT, Del Zotto continues to make the same mistakes over and over and over again. Yes, he will make a good play every once in while but they pale in comparison to the amount of bad plays he makes.

And.... I continue to hear through the rumor mill when I am at the games is that MDZ is enjoying NYC night life a little too much (as is Brian Boyle).

I can't say whether or not that is really true or not but something has happened to his game enough to make the Rangers organization look to trade him.

There have been games when I have singled him out and watched him every shift.
The kid has NHL talent for sure but I don't know whether that talent extends to the gray matter between his ears. I would hate to see him traded and then straighten himself out as that could come back to haunt us. But.....if he has devolved again....like he did a few years back and was banished to Hartford......maybe the team has figured he can't be saved from himself.

That would be really sad.
- Downeaster

Let me first say, man -you have been around. I have a Gordie
Howe hockey card from '55 but that's as far back as I go!
Spot on about DZ; it's the repeating of mistakes that makes you
Wonder about his hockey sense. A successful stretch pass up the
Middle of the Ice is a rare thing in the NHL yet he attempts the
Over and over like he can't figure out what ain't workin. Indicative
Of his instincts all around.

I hope if we trade him it doesn't come back to bite us in the ass like seguin with Boston.
- rangerdanger94

I think Boston was well aware that seguin would flourish;
For one, he gets the Ice time of a #1 in Dallas. They just didn't
Like the way he (didn't) fit the team and they got a good return.
Too bad about Ericsson of course but didn't Rielly Smith come in that
Deal too?

No matter what helmet gets made there will always be concussions. There is no way to stop the brain from rattling inside your head. With players being faster and bigger than they were you're going to see more concussions in all contact sports. To truly reduce concussions you're going to have to slow the game down. (In football make the cleats a little heavier) etc. I'm not sure the answer in hockey.
- nyrangers9479

Sure there is. Don't get hit

Merry Christmas Hank! You get great seats for the game against Washington tonight!

game day blog up, guess what the focus is?