Rangers News: Del Zotto officially makes the Rangers
by Joe Fortunato on Sep 29, 2009 1:55 PM EDT
in New York Rangers News
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Stick salute to Steve Zipay for breaking this story over at his blog. Here are some highlights from his story:
Huge endorsement of defenseman Michael Del Zotto, 19, from coach John Tortorella after practice. "Right now he has made the club. Based on his play, he has made the club." ...Sean Avery didn't even skate on his own today, and Tortorella said---with little conviction---that he could skate tomorrow. But the coach acknowledged that if a player didn't skate three days before a game, it was doubtful that he would dress....Henrik Lundqvist, who will appear on the David Letterman Show with nine other Rangers to read the Top 10 list, was another topic of dissussion for Tortorella, who said that in order for the goaltender to be fresh as season's end, the organization must reel in some of his media "distractions"....
Okay so no surprises here. I know that alot of people think that Del Zotto should not be here because of his defensive play, but after the game against Washington who could say no. Matched up against the best player in the game (Ovechkin) I thought that Del Zotto did a fantastic job defensively.
Remember that the Rangers have 10 games to give him a look. If he plays more than 10 games he is no longer eligible for the juniors so he would have to stick with the big club. If the Rangers don't like what they see in that time frame then they can send him back with no penalty. So what do you all think? Yay or nay?
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impressive
Before the season I thought there was NO CHANCE of MDZ making the team. Last year it seemed he was a defensive liability in juniors.
That being said, he has been impressive this preseason. He has been shaky at times in his own zone, but he has also been solid at times against great NHL players.
His offensive game was never in question, but it’ll be nice to see that develop and progress at the NHL level – I hope it takes that path we all think it will.
Basically, if Torts and the Rangers staff think this kid can hang, then I fully trust their opinion. That’s why they are in charge.
Its possible that our PP may actually be a great strength this year.
I’m just really excited for this season to begin!
as a related but side note i find it interesting that the rangers havent given semenov a contract yet. to me this is interesting because the assumption is that they need another vet to be the 7th or take over if they send mdz back to london. the only conclusion i can come to is the rangers are waiting to see what other veteran d-men are to become available on waivers before committing to semenov.
Agreed, I think they are waiting to see what happens around the league as well. We’ll ask Andrew Gross about that tonight.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Sep 29, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
how about a couple former rangers…strudwick and andrew hutchinson…both have cheap contracts, but i have no idea if they are going to make the oilers and stars respectively?
by Michael Gleich on Sep 29, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Strudwick’s sticking with the Oilers, so I’m told.
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by George E. Ays on Sep 29, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
i figured especially with Tom there now.
by Michael Gleich on Sep 29, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Strudwick, ugh, been there done that
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Sep 29, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
You and me both, I was shouting from the rooftops on July 1st that he was who I wanted to see the Rangers get. He would have filled a long time need, and it would have totally pissed off the Islander fans, which is always a nice bonus.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Sep 29, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
lets be real though we are talking about a d-man for a mil or less so to bring up Komi is pointless since he is getting 4.5.
by Michael Gleich on Sep 29, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Christoph Schubert, waived by Ottawa, is an interesting possibility.
Bigger than Semenov. Generally regarded as a competent d-man, who has enough offensive/checking ability that he was pressed into service as a forward when injuries wracked the Sens. Could allow Torts to only carry 12 “forwards”, 6 “defensemen” – plus Schubert who can fill in either way. Sort of a “two for the price of one” deal – and his #s are pretty much the same (833k) as what you’d pay Semenov.
i guess sather didnt think so since he let him clear waivers
by Michael Gleich on Sep 29, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe he was waived today – waiver clearance occurs after 48 hours – e.g. Thursday.
Sather has time to put in a waiver claim.
“Schubert cleared waivers on Tuesday and will start the season playing for Ottawa’s AHL affiliate in Binghamton reports the Ottawa Sun. (Sep 29)”
by Michael Gleich on Sep 29, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
it wasnt meant to contradict u just show what i had seen.
by Michael Gleich on Sep 29, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
but i do like the idea of someone who like struds can play 6/7 d-man and 12/13 forward and they could cost more if we could then dump voros and his 1 mil in the minors.
by Michael Gleich on Sep 29, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Great move
He earned it with great play. I still think it’s doubtful he stays past the 9 game limit, but it will serve him well to get a taste of the NHL so he can find out his true weaknesses and work on them at a lower level without the pressure of the NY media.
I have a feeling we’ll be seeing Sangs or Heikkinen in a couple weeks, unless Torts is seriously impressed with Semenov.
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I guess I'll ask this again
If Sanguinetti couldn’t beat out MDZ in camp, why exactly are we thinking that MDZ would get sent down in 10 games in favor of Sanguinetti coming back?
MDZ should be here for the long haul unless he’s absolutely putrid.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Sep 29, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Good for MDZ. Real Good.
In an unrelated, yet related, story… I know who’ll be watching the David Letterman show tomorrow!
"Jaromir Jagr.... it's a POWER PLAY GOAL!"
- Sam Rosen
Absolutely!!
Give him a shot! The youngs guys on D did great last year(Staal and Girardi). Looking forward to seeing Del Zotto play! Have not missed a game in Years! I agree with Steeve.
i think we all realize that mdz has some defensive woes, but honestly, we are a playoff team, and have a punchers chance at making a run to the cup. so we are basically looking for whoever has auditioned the best for the job(as torts has said himself) , whoever fits torts system the best, and whoever would do a better job helping us win games. in my mind, and obviously ranger shot-callers, mdz is that guy.
It's about time...
the Rangers homegrown products actually play for the Rangers. :)
[img]http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0eTH2sm73rf3u/610x.jpg[/img]
yea because those guys names Lundqvist, Callahan, Dubinsky, Staal, and Girardi are those homegrown products that dont play for the rangers.
by Michael Gleich on Sep 30, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
MDZ
I’m glad he got his shot. he’s only 19 and if he plays now, imagine when he is 25! he’s going to be a beast!
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New York Rangers
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Philadelphia
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