The Rangers have a rather significant decision to make this week as final roster decisions loom and with them, so does the future of former 10th overall draft pick Dylan McIlrath. It appears that McIlrath is neck and neck with veteran defenseman Raphael Diaz for the last defensive roster spot. If the two defensemen are as close as media reports suggest, then the Rangers have just one choice – Dylan McIlrath.
Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault has decision to make on D. – File photo by Lewis Bleiman
In truth, McIlrath doesn’t best fit Alain Vigneault’s system, has taken a long time to develop to the point where he is a legitimate NHL candidate and he offers limited offensive upside but the key word here is upside as McIlrath does offer upside, just don’t expect Brian Leetch any time soon. The Rangers cannot choose Diaz over McIlrath.
They cannot choose Diaz not just because they will surely lose McIlrath to waivers if he is demoted but despite his limited offensive upside McIlrath offers the Rangers a different look on their blueline and a legitimate future fixture on the blueline. Diaz is a stop-gap; he is a plug in and play depth defenseman that has a few points in him and is someone that offers NHL experience. But beyond use as a short term band aid Diaz doesn’t offer anything for the future. Dylan McIlrath does.
In an era where the tough guy role has diminished, McIlrath still offers legitimate snarl and a nasty streak rarely found in the Rangers organisation. He offers size, and the potential to top out as a solid bottom four defensive defenseman that should dominate around his own crease. If protected, if he learns better positional play and improves his gap control McIlrath could be a fixture on the Rangers blueline, particularly as the long term Ranger futures of Kevin Klein and Dan Girardi shouldn’t be assumed.
Girardi and Klein are still good NHL defensemen, but Girardi has definitely peaked and has a nasty looking contract while Kevin Klein will surely never reach the heights he did a year ago. Sell high anyone? With the Rangers surely wanting to extend Keith Yandle beyond next summer, now is the time to integrate a defensive player such as McIlrath who can offer the team some defensive depth and in doing so, the loss of Girardi or Klein (both of which would present significant cap savings) would be minimised.
McIlrath could help answer many questions facing the Rangers blueline even if it’s now clear he will surely never become the player the Rangers hoped for when he was drafted 10th overall. Raphael Diaz offers none of the same potential answers. The Rangers have the depth to take a calculated risk on a player they should know well. Come the final roster cuts, if its close the Rangers need to take McIlrath over Diaz.
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