Ranger Fan Central Column

Rangers Throw Draft a Curve
by Ken Pox
June 26, 2010

The New York Rangers selected 6 foot 4 inch bruising Moose Jaw defenseman Dylan McIlrath with the 10th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Projected to go closer to 15, the Rangers reportedly felt McIlrath was their man all along and stuck to their guns to select him despite the fact highly touted defensemen Cam Fowler and Brandon Gormley were surprisingly still available at the time. Fowler was considered the most skilled defenseman available and Gormley the most well-rounded in every aspect of the game. McIlrath is no slouch himself, hailed as the toughest defenseman available in the draft.

The choice to go with McIlrath threw a lot of pundits for a loop as both Pierre McGuire and Bob MacKenzie questioned the decision on the Versus broadcast. Given the depth of offensive defensemen in the Rangers system, McIlrath addresses a dire need that the Rangers have had for years - a hard-hitting defenseman who will clear the crease, drop the gloves to protect teammates and force opposing players to keep their heads up every time they come over the blueline.

The question is, would the team be better served drafted the most talented defenseman in Fowler rather than McIlrath? Or even a skilled forward such as Vladimir Tarasenko who went to St. Louis at 16.

One thing for certain is the New York Rangers now have a healthy crop of young defensemen and prospects for the first time in the 30 years I've been following the team - Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, Matt Gilroy, Ryan McDonaugh, Tomas Kundratek, Pavel Valentenko, Mihail Pashnin and now Dylan McIlrath. In as few as 2-3 years from now, the Rangers can build a seriously formidable set of 6 NHL caliber defensemen from this group.

For the remaining rounds of today's draft I hope to see the Rangers find some talented forwards with size if possible and maybe even a goaltender prospect as there is not much in the way of future goalies in the system.

So while McIlrath may grow into the next Jeff Beukeboom or even Derian Hatcher, what if Fowler becomes the next Brian Leetch? In that sense, this is a risky pick and NY Rangers fans will have to wait and see how it plays out.

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