Russ Cohen: Rangers Prospect Report

Clearly you havent watched the two games and seen how McIlrath has played. Hes not there for offense. His skating may be still developing but his stick on stick and being in the right spot defensively has greatly improved. He is definitely ready to be that 7th dman

Clearly you havent watched the two games and seen how McIlrath has played. Hes not there for offense. His skating may be still developing but his stick on stick and being in the right spot defensively has greatly improved. He is definitely ready to be that 7th dman
- Itspeteza94

I don't think he's shown enough toughness and his play has been kind of blah. But, he is definitely way ahead of Diaz in that battle for the 7th spot.

Unless Bodie jumped in front of him last night

Clearly you havent watched the two games and seen how McIlrath has played. Hes not there for offense. His skating may be still developing but his stick on stick and being in the right spot defensively has greatly improved. He is definitely ready to be that 7th dman
- Itspeteza94

Wasn't it Graves' turnover that led to the Gagner goal? And Diaz was absolute garbage last night...

It's funny how everyone has a different view of the same game played when it comes to prospect and new players.

McIlrath is clearly ready, if you don't think he was the best defensmen last night then you must just watch play in the Philly o zone. He's clearly out playing Diaz for the 7th spot, but also Klein. K.Klein has started out as bad as he ended last season which is worry some. If Dylan sticks, which I think he will, he'll only improve going forward. We saw K Kleins game peak last year but will we ever see that again?

Lindberg has been the star performer thus far and he's showing he can clearly contribute, he seems to regularly get in a position to get shots on goal, something that Fast struggles with. He might just find himself in a more offensive role than we expected.

Nej was definitely a pleasant surprise, he should get a contract and it will be interesting to see him develop in Hartford.

Bodies is light years ahead of Mclrath on a pure skill/poise standpoint, but the size difference can't be ignored. NYR still has gotten that big D man since the loss of Sauer.

It's funny how everyone has a different view of the same game played when it comes to prospect and new players.

McIlrath is clearly ready, if you don't think he was the best defensmen last night then you must just watch play in the Philly o zone. He's clearly out playing Diaz for the 7th spot, but also Klein. K.Klein has started out as bad as he ended last season which is worry some. If Dylan sticks, which I think he will, he'll only improve going forward. We saw K Kleins game peak last year but will we ever see that again?

Lindberg has been the star performer thus far and he's showing he can clearly contribute, he seems to regularly get in a position to get shots on goal, something that Fast struggles with. He might just find himself in a more offensive role than we expected.

Nej was definitely a pleasant surprise, he should get a contract and it will be interesting to see him develop in Hartford.
- MatzCT

Klein was probably the best player on the ice in the Devil game

Bodies is light years ahead of Mclrath on a pure skill/poise standpoint, but the size difference can't be ignored. NYR still has gotten that big D man since the loss of Sauer.
- rrentz

It goes to my point of watching only the o zone. McIlrath-Bodie were a key pairing last year because they complement each others skills so well. Why Yandle-McIlrath or Skjei-McIlrath could be a nice pairing. Bodie still struggles in his own zone because of his size, mainly along the boards. He's 25 and still 170 so I'm not sure he 'll be able to crack an NHL lineup. Offensively he's definitely gifted and poised but would he get playing time over Yandle or McDonagh?

Klein was probably the best player on the ice in the Devil game
- jimbro83

that might be your opinion. others might think he was one of the worse.

Diaz was awful. Klein was terrific. Not prospects. LOL. McIlrath had just two hits. Toughness wasn't there ie, losing corner battles. All opinions are welcomed.

Diaz was awful. Klein was terrific. Not prospects. LOL. McIlrath had just two hits. Toughness wasn't there ie, losing corner battles. All opinions are welcomed.
- Russ_Cohen

I'd rather see him show his active stick and long reach and breaking up plays, winning most of the corner battles, standing up guys entering the zone, then trying to go for big hits and over committing and putting himself out of position. He's playing sound defensively, something a 6 or 7d needs to do.

Klein was so terrific on ice for all those pp goals again. Losing Gagner in front of the net which is typical Klein allowing high quality chances.

Diaz was awful. Klein was terrific. Not prospects. LOL. McIlrath had just two hits. Toughness wasn't there ie, losing corner battles. All opinions are welcomed.
- Russ_Cohen

Bodie plays another game, like last night, it will be hard to send him down. Diaz should not be assured of anything.

It goes to my point of watching only the o zone. McIlrath-Bodie were a key pairing last year because they complement each others skills so well. Why Yandle-McIlrath or Skjei-McIlrath could be a nice pairing. Bodie still struggles in his own zone because of his size, mainly along the boards. He's 25 and still 170 so I'm not sure he 'll be able to crack an NHL lineup. Offensively he's definitely gifted and poised but would he get playing time over Yandle or McDonagh?
- MatzCT

No One is getting playing time over ANY of NYR Dmen.Only reason any of them are be discussed is to find out who is best fit for 7th dman.

Mclrath, Bodie, Diaz, or Skeji.

Contract/Waiver sitution helps Mclratth more than the others, but I would like to see Bodie. Look how Krug turned out in Boston. Bodie just reminds me of being that "type" of Dmen IMO

No One is getting playing time over ANY of NYR Dmen.Only reason any of them are be discussed is to find out who is best fit for 7th dman.

Mclrath, Bodie, Diaz, or Skeji.
- rrentz

Of course not, even though McIlrath has out played Diaz for 7th and even Klein. Klein is the safe and proven guy you go with. But we're not going to play an 82 game season with just 6 dman. It will probably be at least 8 guys and if you don't think he's deserving of at least the 7th spot (thus far), then you just have to take your hater glasses off. My bet would be on Skjei and McIlrath both filling in throughout the long season.

I'm really not that concerned about giving up PP goals in pre-season games.

First of all, 4 of the top penalty killers in the league are named Lundqvist, Girardi, Staal and McDonagh

second of all, I don't want anyone blocking shots in pre-season, especially that cannon on Medvedev, holy crap

Russ Cohen: Rangers Prospect Report
- Russ_Cohen

You had enough material to write a blog on this subject?

I'm really not that concerned about giving up PP goals in pre-season games.

First of all, 4 of the top penalty killers in the league are named Lundqvist, Girardi, Staal and McDonagh

second of all, I don't want anyone blocking shots in pre-season, especially that cannon on Medvedev, holy crap
- jimbro83

That Medvedev looks like he may be a big contributor this season. Unfortunately.

That Medvedev looks like he may be a big contributor this season. Unfortunately.
- Cptmjl

And he's no kid either. Odd he chose to come over now, in his 30's.

And he's no kid either. Odd he chose to come over now, in his 30's.
- tomburton99

Yep. Cant blame the guy he just wants to get a check when hes supposed too. Tells you the condition that league is in right now.

I thought Bodie played well but im sorry, i cant play a 6' 170 dman in the NHL... he would get killed. he doesnt have the skill or speed of a Karlson to make up for that which is why i dont think he makes the team. McIlrath is starting to be disappointing... He doesnt look like he has progressed much... still chasing players, still not covering his own goal, still not taking the body when he should.... I have no idea what they will do with him... i think at this point, they have to trade him and hope he doesnt turn into pronger in 2 years...

one a bright note, i was watching Hayes and he appears that he is getting better in the face off category. if he comes back as the same player he was last year but with better faceoffs, he is instantly one of our best players.

at the end of the day the rangers truely only have 2-3 F spots up for grabs as the start 6 D will not change.

McIlrath is starting to be disappointing... He doesnt look like he has progressed much... still chasing players, still not covering his own goal, still not taking the body when he should.... I have no idea what they will do with him... i think at this point, they have to trade him and hope he doesnt turn into pronger in 2 years...
.
- richardson30

You must be confusing McIlrath with Klein. #6 and #8 I guess are easy to confuse. Because you described Kleins play to a tee in those first two games.

I thought Bodie played well but im sorry, i cant play a 6' 170 dman in the NHL... he would get killed. he doesnt have the skill or speed of a Karlson to make up for that which is why i dont think he makes the team. McIlrath is starting to be disappointing... He doesnt look like he has progressed much... still chasing players, still not covering his own goal, still not taking the body when he should.... I have no idea what they will do with him... i think at this point, they have to trade him and hope he doesnt turn into pronger in 2 years...

one a bright note, i was watching Hayes and he appears that he is getting better in the face off category. if he comes back as the same player he was last year but with better faceoffs, he is instantly one of our best players.

at the end of the day the rangers truely only have 2-3 F spots up for grabs as the start 6 D will not change.
- richardson30

He's never going to turn into a Pronger. If he turned into a Girardi or Orpik, I'd be thrilled.