Don't be surprised if Skjei makes the roster

I think he's seasoned enough after Minnesota, though i like Diaz as a spare. Maybe they want Skjei to get a month or two at Hartford.

 

I dont think he's having a very good game at all. I think he looks very timid with the puck. McIlrath has been the much more steady player, and I havent seen him make one misplay with the puck.

 

I like our future on the backline.

First exhibition observances:

Megna and Gibbons showed puck control in the
offensive zone.

PP shows nothing. PK was weak.

 

I thought McIlrath looked very good too, even avoided getting baited by Tootoo. I didn't like Skjei on one knee on the Devs PP goal but if he doesn't make it this year he's a lock next year when salary cap issues shake up the roster. In a perfect world the Rangers dump old man Boyle or the willowy Staal to make room for the young talent. Might be preseason but it broke up the monotony of watching Price mow down Yamkees.

 

My money is on Skjei to become the much better player, but in terms of who has the better shot to make the team out of camp in light of their stages of development and position (LHD v RHD), McIlrath has the better shot. I wasnt thrilled with his last shift on the late PP goal against (laid down in the corner; looked a little too high for the shot against) but he played a strong game.

 

Dylan has improved from what I saw last night. I think he will make it as a spare. AV seems to like him now. They need to find the way to get rid of Boyle eventually and let the kid play as a six d-men.
Brady S still needs some polishing in AHL.

 

I thought brady was shaky last night and outside of a yandle trade theres no chance he makes the roster out of camp as av doesn't play ld or rd on their offsides. I also thought big mac was good last night and seems to be getting away from the looking for the fight guy to someone who is looking to play hockey and with his size thats good to see. At worst he'll be our 7th d man and get a lot of playing time and like I said earlier if he really impresses av klein will go for some kind of asset and hell be the 6th d although I really wish gorton could figure out a way to jettison boyle out of here.

 

I stand by what I said. A lot of miles on some of our D men. I could see McIlrath playing 20 games for Boyle, 12 for Girardi, 8, ect... and Getting Dylan 50 games.

 

LOL...they are not going to sit Girardi unless he is badly injured. Boyle yes.

 

Boyle will be an interesting case to watch, if he struggles or shows a steep decline he could be sitting a bunch as the season goes.

 

I think girardi will miss some games this season just to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

 

You have no idea what they will do. So as usual, stop speaking in absolutes Stepan. Girardi is not a young man. He's also got a ton of miles. I do believe they will sit him. To me, the goal is to win the cup. Girardi at this point should not be playing more than 70 games. It's just stupid to play him more than that. He also has his contract so it's not like he needs to play 82 games to get paid. Girardi has look worn out at times in the playoffs. His 80 regular season game days are long over.

 

Skjei will have almost no chance of making this roster. Not with McDonagh, Yandle and Staal on the left side.

 

He's going to Hartford as is probably the best move for a few months at least to keep him active. Diaz is an excellent spare anyway. I honestly don't think he's worse than Boyle at this point in DB's career and probably is more productive.

 

Diaz is not an excellent spare. He freaking sucks. He's done nothing but screw up all pre-season on defense. He isn't going to ever play the PP here anywhere with McDonagh, Boyle and Yandle.

 

AV has said he wants to carry 8 dmen so there's a chance but unfortunately for Brady AV seems to view Diaz with the same affinity as Tanner Glass.

 

Barring an injury to mcd, staal or yandle, brady will play the whole season at hartford as they are not calling him up to sit on the bench.

 

It's possible he does Mel, and then takes over f/t when Boyle leaves after the year. A full year in htfd certainly wouldn't be the worst thing for him. Maybe he comes up as a playoff spare after the ahl ends.

 

71, he's not taking over for boyle who is a RD and he is a LD and AV doesn't play D-men on their offside. Besides, when boyle goes Big Mac is ticketed for that spot. Brady needs something to happen with yandle or staal

 

Yep, McIlrath will replace Boyle. Unless Staal is told to drop his moronic NTC and he is moved, Yandle signed, Skjei will take over for Yandle.