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Gilroy: Rangers’ Best Offensive-Defenseman?
by Patrick Hoffman on 09/23/09 at 05:22 PM ET
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When the New York Rangers signed Hobey Baker Award winner and defenseman Matt Gilroy last April, many Ranger fans and pundits alike wondered whether or not he would live up to his billing and become the offensive-defenseman the team has longed for since Brian Leetch was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2004.
In pre-season, it’s safe to say that Gilroy has lived up to his billing and has even given the Blueshirts more than they thought they were going to get. He’s put up a few points, has not been afraid to rush the puck, has made some solid defensive plays and plays real heads up hockey. What more could you want in a defenseman?
It’s safe to say that Gilroy is going to make this team. With that in mind, I want to hear your thoughts on the following questions regarding the young defenseman:
1) If he makes it, does he automatically become the team’s best offensive-defenseman?
2) Who do you think Coach Tortorella will put Gilroy with? Why?
3) How many points do you think Gilroy will produce this season?
Let’s hear your thoughts folks!
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I think he will definitely be the teams best offensive defenseman, and here’s why:
—Wade Redden has not produced at all and at this point his confidence is shot. He seems to be more concerned (and rightly so) with trying to work on the primary output of his position, which is defense. Once he can get that right, if ever, we may see him start to work on his offensive skills again.
—Dan Girardi is a solid consistent defensive defenseman, with some offensive potential, (although nowhere near as much skilla s Gilroy) but has never been called upon to fill that role, so he won’t. Being paired with Redden so much last year ensured that he could never really try either.
—Marc Staal has shown much of his capability with the puck, but he is not the kind of Gilroy or Leetch skill. He is great at making breakout passes, or carrying the puck to get it deep. He is not a true scorer or a setup man, he is best for the secondary assist, or tertiary assist if there were such a thing.
—Rozsival is the top contender for the role of best-offensive defenseman. He has been good for 30 - 40 points in each of the last 4 seasons, but we all know that he hasnt been playing as well since that guy Jagr left town, and we can all plainly see that Gilroy has the potential to double that output. Rozsival has a good shot (when he shoots) but he can’t skate around half the opposing team and deke out the goalie like Gilroy can.
I think it would be a good idea to put Gilroy with Girardi or Staal. Both of them are very reliant defensively, and can cover for him very well if he gets caught on a rush. It can also keep Rozsival and Redden on the ice at different times in case their scoring touch happens to return.
And looks like he’ll be paired with Kotalik on the points on the PP if the Rangers want to inprove their PP% this season.
In his rookie season I would say he should be good for 15 goals and 30 assists, and he will only get better from there.
Posted by RENO Section 316 from Staten Island, NY on 09/23/09 at 06:42 PM ET