Rangers Review: Michael Del Zotto
by Joe Fortunato on Jun 14, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
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PrintLet’s continue our reviews of the 2009-2010 New York Rangers with defenseman Michael Del Zotto.
Michael Del Zotto:
What we liked: There was a ton we liked about Del Zotto this year. For starters he stepped into a major role—quarterbacking the power play—with relative success. His 9 goals and 28 assists for 37 points were awesome to see. And as the season progressed he began to lay the lumber, in fact he was the hardest hitter on the Rangers blue line all season. And while his defense wasn’t perfect, he stepped into the defensive role brilliantly for the Rangers.
What we didn’t like: As I said before from time to time his defense was suspect. We expected Del Zotto—at 19 years of age—to make "rookie mistakes," and he did. But keep in mind that he is only 19 years old, and he also played with Wade Redden and Michal Rozsival for most of the year. His -20 was slightly alarming, but I still think that it wasn’t completely indicative of how well I think he played this year. In the end, we expected this field to look like this.
Final thoughts: I have said time and time again that if Del Zotto was a UFA this season he would command 4 million plus, at least. Some may point at his -20 as something that would turn teams off, but Sheldon Souray had a -28 (granted he had 26 goals) and he is making 7 million. Regardless Del Zotto was a steal at 20th in the draft, and will be a difference maker for years to come. He is about as special as they come.
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Trying a top pairing of MDZ and Staal might be something to think about this year. In late game pressure situations Girardi and Staal will most likely still be our best shut down pair, but in other situations having MDZ’s offensive capabilities (and hopefully improved positioning in his second year) paired with Staal’s more defensive style could provide and excellent combination. MDZ still obviously has to make huge strides in his own zone to be considered a top defenseman, but we should all be really excited about his future.
MDZ has the capability to score, and would be our best defensive weapon as a first pairing defenseman. Staal could cover when MDZ pinches in. I remember that one game where MDZ made a move from the outside past Zdeno Chara and his regulation-exempt stick, cut through the slot and put one past Tim Thomas. It was a thing of beauty from start to finish.
I agree with you whole-heartedly, he would have to have marked improvement on the defensive side of the puck. Maybe by the time Rozsival’s contract expires he’ll be ready to be a first pair defenseman, but not before.
But MDZ is offensive and a left hander. Wouldn’t he rather be able to shoot directly down the high slot?
"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"
by Scratch and Snif on Jun 14, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
here is a good article describing the problems of playing right d as a lefty.
http://hockey-stick-reviews.blogspot.com/2010/03/right-shooting-defensemen-in-high.html
right dmen are hard to find, Potter and Sangs are rights, so is Girardi and Rosi.
Sauer, Kundratek and Maggio are rights too. Mcdonagh is a left shot and with Staal and MDZ might be hard to crack top 4.
Why are there so many left handed shots in the NHL? If you’re right handed, do they tell you to shoot left? I’ve never done competitive hockey, but in pickup floor/street hockey games i usually shoot right and i’m right handed. Maybe its just a matter of preference as opposed to handedness
"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"
by Scratch and Snif on Jun 15, 2010 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I undestand now. Just read the article. I’d still rather shoot right.
"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"
by Scratch and Snif on Jun 15, 2010 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s actually unnatural in my experience, right-handedness usually lends itself to being a left-handed hockey shot. I too am the exception, right handed and shoot right, but since I played goal, I had to learn to stick handle left-handed, and was able to after a bunch of work.
Most of my friends are LH shots though, and I know few people that can throw farther than I can LH.
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by George E. Ays on Jun 15, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Good review, perfectly accurate. If he could put on 15-20 pounds, I see him being a force on the blue line for his entire career. Think Dion Phaneuf without the drama. The talent is there, he just needs to not let Torts get to him continue to develop. Positioning without the puck is about all he has to work on. He hits hard (I remember a game where he annihilated Tuomo Ruutu 7+ times that game, you know MDZ was getting into his head), but more times than not takes himself out of the play to go for the hit. He’s only 19, and has so much promise… as long as he continues to improve, I see next season to be nothing compared to this one in terms of +/- and ice time.
I keep forgetting that he’s 19, He has alot of time to develop.
"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"
by Scratch and Snif on Jun 14, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
yes and certainly there are lefthanders that play rightside, as more players shoot left as opposed to right, not sure what the actual stat is bet Smurf could enlighten us. Given he just had his first year and struggled defensively not sure you would want to even try that experiment. Gilroy shoots left plays right there are plenty of other examples.
Nah..I don’t have regular information on that. I believe it’s overrated (despite the articles), but certainly realize that there would be some effect.
Nonetheless, I don’t think that’s going to stop McDonagh from finding a spot.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jun 15, 2010 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions
apparently Mcdonagh played left Gardiner right in their pairing both lefts.
http://m.host.madison.com/mobile/article_5573d150-ca6a-11de-b99e-001cc4c002e0.html
Was just about to say that I was fairly certain McDonagh was on the left.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jun 15, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
If Girardi were going to be traded, I’m pretty sure it’d have been done by now, to give the receiving team the window to re-sign him (even though he’s an RFA).
Rozsival has value even despite his handedness, the question is who’s willing to take 2 years of his contract.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jun 15, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
true and in Slats interview he included Girardi in his core, ugh. Rosi would probably have to bring back a like contract.
Girardi in his current role is an ugh…if they can find a way to let him be a 2nd fiddle on the 2nd pair, I think he’d be fine.
Rozsival for Huselius. Simple, neat, fills needs for both teams. It should be done already.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jun 15, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
he's got a ton of talent.....
though we need to be wary about placing too much expectancy on his shoulders too soon. Let him quietly progress behind Staal’s pair for another year. Keep his minutes in check and let him have another year of solid development. You hear the Leetch comparisons…. give him such praise in a few years if he earns it.
blueseatblogs.com
I don’t why people think he paired with Redden this year. (Not aimed at you Joe, I’ve seen it at least 20 times). He played more shifts with Heikkinen AND Sanguinetti than he did with Redden this year.
It was Rozsival and Girardi, with the latter being the abysmal pair I’ve harped about over and over.
The kid himself will be fine. When you pull out the Girardi shifts, he had a pretty awesome year, and the -20 goes away quickly.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
I don’t remember ever seeing him with redden. Its usually with Rozy.
"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"
by Scratch and Snif on Jun 14, 2010 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
MDZ’s first 40 games: -17
MDZ’s last 40 games: -3
It appears the kid progressed a lot in the defensive zone throughout the season. Sky’s the limit for him.
thats very encouraging since he scored most of his points in the beginning of the year.
by CrazyRangerFan on Jun 14, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow, didn’t realize that, good find XLII
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jun 14, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Smurf
I actually meant for that to read that he played with Redden (even one shift would probably destroy his development, a little joke) and played with Rozsival for most of the season, not both.
Sorry to confuse you buddy!
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needs torts to leave him alone .
torts should just let this kid mature as a hockey player he cannot bench him over stupid stuff. granted i,m not saying torts should let him do whatever he wants but there is limits to what torts should do. i guess there is a method to torts madness the sky is the limit for mdz so is for gilroy.
lohaus #54
Del Zotto has something the rest our D lacks...vision
Del Zotto has elite vision with the puck. He is one of the few guys on this team that can skate with his head up each and every second the puck is on his stick. That is something you cannot teach. It is innate. You can teach many aspects of defensive hockey, defensive coverage, positioning, pivoting, and certain decisions to make for certain situations. Vision is not one of them.
He is also not even close to the 6’1 190-200lbs listing….stood next to him at a Blueshirts United event, he’s 5’11 max…and probably more like 175-180 lbs
No but when you put the gel in his hair it adds an extra 2 inches and nearly 20 pounds.
"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"
by Scratch and Snif on Jun 14, 2010 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York Rangers
|
52 | 34 | 13 | 5 | 73 |
|
Philadelphia
|
54 | 31 | 16 | 7 | 69 |
|
New Jersey
|
54 | 31 | 19 | 4 | 66 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
54 | 30 | 19 | 5 | 65 |
|
New York Islanders
|
53 | 22 | 23 | 8 | 52 |
(updated 2.11.2012 at 8:02 AM EST)
Rangers Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
Washington
|
Sun 02/12 | 3:00 PM EST |
|
@
Boston
|
Tue 02/14 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Chicago
|
Thu 02/16 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Columbus
|
Sun 02/19 | 8:00 PM EST |
|
@
Pittsburgh
|
Tue 02/21 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Sat 02/11 | W 5 - 2 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
Thu 02/09 | OT - W 4 - 3 |
|
New Jersey
|
Tue 02/07 | L 0 - 1 |
|
Philadelphia
|
Sun 02/05 | W 5 - 2 |
|
@
Buffalo
|
Wed 02/01 | SO - W 1 - 0 |
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