I couldn't agree with you more as I said panzer. If I were the coach I would also play McIlrath more than 1 game out of 12 as I mentioned. I don't see much downside to playing him here and there to really see what he is, plus we know Boyle is nothing special. I don't agree with questioning the way Rangers develop youth, I think they have done a real good job of that, but I do agree on giving McIlrath more of a shot. Sounds like he'll get a game tonight against the Caps, let's see how he does.
^^^^^^let's hope the Rangers do not lose, so AV will find a reason to bench the kid another two weeks. ( )
AV does not have a problem playing kids. See Kevin Hayes last year. AV's problem (in my opinion) is that he plays favorites, and has whipping boys. Case in point: Miller on the 4th line tonight, while he has (again in my opinion) outplayed Hayes by a wide margin. JT might not be lighting it up, but I didnt see anything that would justify a fourth line day for him. Tanner Glass was another good example of this...an AV favorite who can do no wrong.
Nobody knows what kind of player McIlrath is because he's had 5 games of NHL experience 5 years after being drafted which is ridiculous for a 1st round 10th pick even with the injuries. He should be played a minimum of 20 games this year, if he's a bum as some have suggested then deal him and bring up Skjei. AV needs to give Girardi and Klein a day off on some of the back to backs, let McIlrath and Boyle both play. The whipping boy crap is what I was referring to Prod toward home grown guys like CK, Miller & McIlrath. Hayes was picked 24th by Chicago in 2010, stayed at BC instead and had a prolific college career and at 6'5" 225 would have been hard to bury in the minors so AV really didn't go out on the limb there.
