NO JOSH-ING
Once Dylan McIlrath failed to earn a top-six job out of training camp, he didn’t seem long for the Rangers’ NHL roster. The 24-year-old was either going to be waived, traded or sit in NHL press boxes, which obviously isn’t ideal for a young player trying to improve.
That is the reason Alain Vigneault said the 2010 firstround pick was waived on Thursday following a long, post-game meeting with GM Jeff Gorton and team brass Wednesday night, to give the rugged defenseman a chance to play after he suited up just once over the Rangers’ first seven games. If McIlrath, who had an $800,000 cap hit, is not claimed by noon Friday, he will be assigned to AHL Hartford.
“Obviously disappointed,” McIlrath said after Thursday’s practice. “There’s a lot of emotions running through my head. Definitely a very emotional day, but obviously it’s not the end of my career by any means. It’s just a bump in the road. So, yeah, definitely a tough day.”
McIlrath played well in 34 games last season but did not see the increased minutes he seemingly deserved. He then entered camp having to compete with rookie Brady Skjei, trade acquisition Nick Holden and free-agent signing Adam Clendening for a spot, which he didn’t get after an uneven preseason.
A trade opportunity didn’t emerge, so now the Rangers risk losing McIlrath for nothing.
“Selfishly I hope he clears waivers and goes to Hartford and plays,” Vigneault said, “but if somebody were to pick him up and give him an opportunity, we’d all be very happy for him.”
Vigneault mentioned “puck skills and puck decisions” as areas where McIlrath wasn’t on par with the team’s other defensemen.
So the 6-foot-5 bruiser nicknamed The Undertaker might have played his last game with the team that took him 10th overall in 2010, and with which he bounced back from a dislocated left kneecap in the summer of 2012.
One could argue McIlrath didn’t get a fair shake based on his performance last season, but he looked within for why he wasn’t playing.
“I take full onus,” he said. “I’m never gonna blame this on the coaches. This is all about my play and not earning a spot in the lineup.”
The humble, hungry native of Winnipeg badly wanted to succeed with the Rangers, but he realizes his best opportunity at becoming a full-time NHL player is likely elsewhere. “That’s the toughest thing. Ever since getting drafted, that day forward my main focus was making the Rangers, and that’s what I dreamt about the last six years,” McIlrath said. “That part is gonna be a different experience, having to deal with if I do get picked up. That being said, my goal is to play in the NHL. It’s about playing hockey. Obviously I was blessed to be with this organization. It doesn’t mean I’m done with this organization, but my main focus is playing in the NHL.”
Josh Jooris suffered a Grade 2 AC joint separation Wednesday and is out threeto-four weeks. Pavel Buchnevich (back spasms) is scheduled to return for Friday’s game at Carolina. Chris Kreider (neck spasms) skated on his own Thursday but will miss the next two games. Jesper Fast (maintenance) didn’t practice.