The 2010-11 season was a nightmare for Michael Del
Zotto as he not only failed to build on a promising rookie campaign with the New
York Rangers, but he regressed to the point that he was benched and eventually
demoted to the AHL. To make matters
worse for the young defenseman, following his final demotion to Hartford he was
injured and missed the end of the season. The bad news continued as Del Zotto had
sports hernia surgery in May and left many wondering what version of Del Zotto
would arrive at Rangers training camp this month.
Reports from training camp thus far have painted a
picture of focused and in shape Del Zotto who is looking to reclaim his spot on
the backline for New York. Entering camp
he was expected to battle with rookie Tim Erixon, veteran Steve Eminger amongst
others to see who would fill the Rangers final two defensive spots. With the North American part of training camp
set to wrap up tonight with the Rangers third preseason game it appears that
Del Zotto is in control of his own fate.
This week the Rangers have done work in practice using what is being taken
as their top group and in each instance Del Zotto has found himself, along with
Steve Eminger, on the Rangers third defensive pair.
His place, presumably within the top six, is not
guaranteed to him for opening night, but it is always easier to keep a job than
steal one away. In the first two
preseason games Del Zotto has had his moments of improved play, but still far
too many moments of forced passed, broken coverages and just failing to play
the simple hockey the coaching staff asked him to work on doing.
There was a five minute stretch in the third period
against the Devils Friday night where Del Zotto seemed to have something click
for him. He was rushing the puck through
the neutral zone, making short/smart passes to his teammates and even saved a
scoring chance against with a beautiful diving defensive play. It was a flash of the tremendous skill that
Del Zotto has and while he has not shown it consistently in the first two
preseason games, one must presume that he is showing it in camp to be inside
the top six right now. It also helps
that none of the other defenders in the competition have really had standout
performances to this point in preseason.
Regardless, the reality is Del Zotto has learned that
nothing is going to be handed to him and has come to camp with the attitude
that he wants his spot back. To this
point he appears to have it and now it is up to him to not let anyone else
snatch it away.
