2013-2014 NYR: A Look at the Defense

Apr 19, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto (4) shoots on the Buffalo Sabres net during the first period at the First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Del Zotto (No. 4)

The young Rangers defensemen pretty much did everything last season. He had amazing games where you looked at the TV and said “Is that really Michael Del Zotto?” And then were other games where you can sit there and scream at your TV because of some of the bonehead plays he made throughout the season. Del Zotto, who is 22 years old has been at the center of a lot of attention on & off the ice. With all that being said, he has been the Rangers top scoring defenseman throughout the past few seasons. He has a ton of offensive upside, but needs to find a way to balance that and being a top 4 defenseman. He’s another DMan for the Rangers in a contract season, so I can expect him to put up pretty decent numbers. Since joining the Rangers in 2009-2010 he has produced 110 points & a +1 rating. We just need to hear less of “Del Zotto shoots ! … Wide”.  HIT THE NET! Under new coaching maybe he can keep his “swagger” and become a better defenseman in his own zone versus being a liability. I think 13-15 goals, 30-35 assists are reasonable point numbers. I’d like to see if he can come close to his +20 rating he registered in 11′-12′, if he can I’d say it can be his most successful season yet with the Blueshirts.