Friday, January 7, 2011

McDonagh Debuts on D In Big D.


As per Andrew Gross, yesterday’s conversation regarding the possibility of Michal Rozsival sitting out with the rib issue has come to pass and rookie Ryan McDonagh will make his NHL debut this evening.  Making his debut against the Stars will give McDonagh a little of the shock treatment as tonight’s pregame says the Stars are a lot deeper than just Brad Richards in terms of talent.

The Rangers have adjusted the pairs having Staal and Giradi continue together, moving up Sauer to play with Eminger and slotting McDonagh in at LD with Gilroy, which is exactly how I would have done it.  The promotion for Sauer is long overdue as he has shown tremendous consistency and attention to detail on the defensive side and is more than ready for some increased responsibility.  McDonagh being a defense first defender will help Gilroy out, maybe not as much as Sauer has, and moving Gilroy back to his natural right side gives better balance to the Rangers defense as well. 

Speaking of praising Sauer expect a lot of the same qualities from McDonagh as Sauer in that he will not bring flash to the game, but he will be steady and fit in with the Rangers mentality of blocking shots, hitting and being sound in his position.