Although the New York Rangers finally clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, captain Ryan McDonagh‘s injury is troublesome.
By Robby Sabo
Thankfully, only three times.
Not so thankful is the feeling of doubt surrounding the captain.
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In the first period of the Blueshirts’ 4-2 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets a night ago, captain Ryan McDonagh got banged up. He blocked a Brandon Dubinsky shot with his right hand, immediately showing signs of trouble while scaring the collective pants off of all of Rangerstown.
Although he remained on the bench for the rest of the period, he did not return for the second. An update on his status has not yet been provided.
Immediately and naturally, Dylan McIlrath becomes the hot name, for, of course, he’d the be the guy to fill in for an injured McDonagh (should he miss time).
Not so fast.
The Rangers other youngster, Brady Skjei, is the man for this specific job.
There are many reasons. Check it out:
Lefty for Lefty
If you’re a diehard Rangers fan, you already know the deal. Mr. Alain Vigneault is very particular when it comes to his righty-lefty alignment along the blueline.
He loves having the balance of three lefties and three righties.
The only time we didn’t see it this season was when McDonagh missed a few games and Dan Boyle, a righty, made the switch to the left side.
Brady Skjei being a lefty fits exactly what Vigneault wants in keeping that balance intact. He also provides a more balanced (offensive, defensive) game that mirrors what McDonagh usually provides.
The More Skilled Player
Whether you’re a blind Dylan McIlrath lover, or an ignorant McIlrath basher, there’s a certain reality here that must be realized.
Brady Skjei is just a more talented player than McIlrath.
When and if McDonagh is lost for any extended period of time, the organization will most definitely want to go with the more talented youngster who has the higher ceiling. This is Skjei, not McIlrath.
Don’t be confused though. McIlrath – despite what the bashers want to say – does provide surprising skill. Aside from McDonagh, he might be the best Ranger defenseman when it comes to getting a shot through the defense and on net. He’s also been very effective in the passing game, especially with the first transitional pass.
Still though, McIlrath has an upside to be a third pairing defneseman, while Skjei has potential (if things break right) to be a top-tiered guy.
McIlrath Should Replace Boyle, Not McDonagh
This isn’t the time when Dylan McIlrath’s name should be hot – not for McDonagh’s spot.
Dan Boyle is the guy who’s been in McIlrath’s spot the entire season. He’s the right-handed defenseman who doesn’t fit the lineup as well as McIlrath would.
I’ve been one of the pro-McIlrath writers for quite some time now, even near the beginning of the season. There are too many reasons to even count. Despite McIlrath’s poor skating and finding himself in certain situations that’ll see him entirely out of position, his toughness, attitude and overall grit fits this Rangers roster and blueline so much more nicely than Boyle does.
This squad is Charmin-soft in front of Henrik Lundqvist. It’s laughable most of the time and will only get worse once the the sheer physicality of the tournament comes along.
McIlrath’s presence changes all of that. There’s no need for Boyle and Keith Yandle, whose respective games mirror each other so closely, to both play on the same blueline together.
And besides, just look at the sheer numbers. McIlrath’s +/- destroys Boyle’s even though the veteran has had the great opportunity all season to rack up plus numbers on the power-play.
- McIlrath: 31 GP, +6, 2 G, 1 A
- Boyle: 72 GP, Even +/-, 9 G, 14 A
Boyle is in McIlrath’s spot, and will continue to be as this team struggles in all areas physical.
As far as Ryan McDonagh’s spot in concerned, that’s all Brady Skjei.