Lindberg was the best player on the ice last night

[chuckd3534]

No shot McIlrath or Lindberg go to waivers IMO. If either weren't going to make the team they would deal them for a pick rather than send them down (even if the pick we later rounds).

I think both should be here though. I think Lindberg will be here for sure IMO.

On D I think it obviously comes down to Diaz and McIlrath. And the reason I would keep McIlrath is potential AND he adds something we don't have on D. Diaz is like Yandle or Boyle, and doesn't add an element we are missing. I do like Diaz more than most in here though. He has a good shot AND I love the fact that he shoots and shoots when he gets the puck on his stick. I think that is a good quality in a dman with a good shot. I simply think upside and adding a different element are the reasons I would keep McIlrath (and the fact that it's either he makes the big club or he is gone to another team). I do think this one is close though as the guy who doesn't make it will be gone from the organization IMO.

At forward it has to be Lindberg. To keep Glass and Megna over him would be moronic. It would anger me if they did that. Glass should be a slam dunk, even though we'd have 500 K of dead money on the books if we sent him down. I think Megna/Lindberg is closer, but to me stay with your own and go with the potential upside and keep Lindberg.

So my cuts would be Diaz, Glass, and Megna.

 

[theProdigy223]

Diaz is only useful on the power play. He is awful in his own zone, which is the reason he's been passed around the league at an incredible rate. When you have Yandle, Boyle and McDonagh, along with Brassard and Stepan who can play the point, I don't see the reason to keep a guy like that as a spare. Waiver issues aside, McIlrath adds a dimension on the back end this team has been missing. Add in the waiver issue and I think it's a no-brainer to keep McIlrath over Diaz.

I agree with chuck's cuts. Etem as the 13th. Stalberg has outplayed him and has actually looked pretty good. I was iffy on that signing but you can see he wants it. He's more physical than I remember him being with the Hawks.

 

[panzerporter]

AV has said he wants to carry 8 dmen so that might mean keeping McIlrath and Diaz, I'd rather see the 8th spot go to Skjei. I totally agree with giving the regulars on defense more rest, can't have them going into the playoffs gassed again, one President's trophy is enough. One thing is certain, the numbskulls who were calling McIlrath a bust and not NHL ready last year were talking out of their asses.

I agree with Lindberg making the team too, the only reason I could see Glass being kept around is as an enforcer.

 

[theProdigy223]

I don't see how keeping Skjei as an 8th defenseman would be good for his development. Let him get a half season in Hartford as their top Dman and he'll be ready for a jump mid-season, just like McDonagh's path to the Rangers.

 

[chuckd3534]

I am with you Prod. To me it wouldn't make much sense to keep Brady here as the 8th man. It was smart to send him down now. His future is in front of him. Zero issue with how he was handled.

I also think it will be tough to carry 8 dmen due to the cap. Not impossible, but difficult. I'm also not sure I see the need for 8 dmen unless they really don't want to lose Diaz.

We'll see how it shakes out, but one thing I can say for sure is Glass better be in the AHL. If he makes it over Lindberg I will be very angry.

 

[Ranger71]

That's true on Diaz being very similar to Yandle/Boyle style-wise which may work against him though they may want someone like that in reserve in case one of the above is out. McIlrath has looked pretty good so far i'll give him that and certainly adds a dimension they don't have. I still have some doubts about him keeping up pace-wise in games at the nhl level but i hope he works out. And if Lindberg is waived that would just be the stupidest thing ever.

 

[mrmel29]

I think Megna, McIlrath and Glass will be the final cuts, with Glass being kept as the spare against dumb goonish teams like Philly and NJ.

71, agree with megna and hope your right on glass but there is no way if you've been watching the preseason that big mac was not hands down better than diaz who scored 2 pp goals yesterday including a 5 on 3. He blows defensively and gets knocked off the puck at will. Big mac showed some speed busting up the ice to make a 2 on 1 shorthanded opportunity and just missed scoring the OT winner. In 56 games with the flame she scored a total of 2 goals. With Mcd and yandle and boyle on the pp points there is no room anywhere for him. Mcilreith to any observer has had a strong camp and needs to make and contribute to this team.

 

[cagedlion]

Last night, even though Diaz scored two goals, he was on the
ice for the three Devil goals.....that's ridiculous. Yeah, he can
score, but where the hell is his defense?
He's a defenseman who has a shot. Does not defend
well at all. Let's see how Rangers see it. I'm hoping
they are not stupid.