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.
