I think the answer is obviously no. I'm of the opinion that Mc should be here and should have been all season. He adds a dimension to this team that it hasn't had in years. But the more I'm watching AV's system and how the dmen are required to play, I dont think AV cares very much about adding that dimension. I think he's looking for a different kind of player, and feels no allegiance to give McIrath much of a shot since he wasn't responsible for drafting him. We've said it before but with AV the dmen need to be smart because they dont have much forward support. All about quick skating and quick passes to begin the breakout. I'm not going to sit here and say McIlrath can't do this because I haven't seen him do it enough. But it's pretty clear that isn't what he does best. McIlrath would absolutely thrive in a Torts system where all 10 skaters are in a royal rumble free-for-all in the defensive zone and nobody leaves until we win the puck. Thank god we don't have to watch that disaster anymore. Him and Allen are coming up for the foreseeable future, so this is going to be his shot to prove he can contribute in an up-tempo system. He's a young kid and a first round puck, there's no reason that he can't adjust the way he plays and make a contribution. Just hope AV doesnt keep him on a short leash based on preconceived notions of what kind of player he is.
Here is the plus with McIlrath, with all our injuries on D he will get his shot now. So all the back and forth from the fans saying he is a bust and the fans saying AV is doing a terrible job with McIlrath will get their answer. I hope he does well of course, but either way I am happy we will get a chance to see him and then we'll know what we have in him. That's a plus and should end some debate.
Ryan Malone was placed on waivers to make room for 2 dmen. Fortunately AV's saying 3-4 weeks for McDonaugh and Klein has a contusion which will only cost him a game or two. I don't think AV gives much consideration to his defense at all, that was the knock on him in Vancouver and why the Canucks signed Torts. McDonaugh had a great season last year with 14G/29A but I would hardly call his season a result of AV's coaching style, the guy can play. After that the Rangers had Girardi with 19A and J Moore and Staal with 11, hardly an integral part of the offense. I agree AV leaves the dmen on an island so the forwards can be aggressive but his only requirement for the defensemen is they make an effort to hold the puck in the offensive zone at the blue line instead of falling back.
McIlrath and Allen up. Sure both will play tomorrow night. I for one am looking forward to seeing what McIlrath really is.
I just want to see McIlrath get a fair chance. I rather he play day in and day out while we're injured than they bring in some 34yr old hack just because he's a warm body.
Yes. Absolutely we draft him. Clark runs the draft with Sather. Not the coach. I get that AV likes speed. However, Av is now a huge guy on using his 4th line a lot. The bottom line is that with Glass on the 4th line, it sucks. He needs McIlrath to take the 6th defenseman role, protect the team and then he can build 4th line that can actually play.
Bingo! Having a D-man as an "enforcer" lets a team build a fourth line that isn't just hitting and "energy", can actually put skill players and (god forbid) some talented prospects on a fourth line....
They could've had Tarasenko instead. That was a moronic move drafting McI in the FIRST round. You can find guys like him in the later rounds and see if they pan out. You never pass on talents like Tarasenko in favor of guys like McI.
