New York Rangers Deal with an Aging Issue
Age, they say it is just a number. But is that statement true for sports?
In any sport you want that athlete in their prime. This way you know that they will play at the best of their ability.
Yet, you also want a player who is a seasoned veteran. This player will help the rookies and the players in their prime understand crucial points of the game. You have seen this work so many times and a great example of this is Jaromir Jagr also known as “The Ageless Wonder”. The 44-year-old is still going strong for the Florida Panthers.
Needless to say, not everyone around his age has found the fountain of youth.
New York Rangers, Dan Boyle
For the New York Rangers, Dan Boyle is their “seasoned” veteran. Boyle, 39, and Keith Yandle played together Tuesday, during Game Three, and his age was apparent.
In the first period alone, Boyle was easily beat to loose pucks on several occasions. Rather it be a foot race, being bumped off the puck or just out hustled. Boyle’s lack of speed really showed up.
Why did it show so much? Could it be the fact he was paired with Yandle? Not blaming Yandle, the offensive-defensemen who will make a lot of offensive zone pinches leaving Boyle alone at the blue line. Pairing Yandle and Boyle wasn’t the smartest thing Vigeanult has done this season.
It might be time Alain Vigneault and the Rangers go with age over experience. Boyle has played in 129 playoff games so it is clear he knows how to perform in the post season. Yet, a key mistake in communication between him and Yandle in the third led to the Pittsburgh Penguins scoring the game-winning goal.
Exchanging Boyle for McIlrath
Could it be time to sit Boyle and give defensemen Dylan McIlrath his time to shine?
The 24-year-old was in and out of the lineup all season. However, while he has been in the lineup he has shown he has what it takes to play at the level the New York Rangers need. In the 34 games he has played this season, he has two goals, two assists and a plus/minus of seven.
McIlrath also fits into the Rangers style of play. In the three games played, the Rangers have combined for 148 hits. We all know McIlrath isn’t afraid of throwing his body around. As a matter of fact in the 34 games he has played in he has collected 93 hits. That averages out to 2.7 hits per game.
So, why not start McIlrath? Well, it has been something that has been frustrating New York Ranger fans all season. Vigneault not giving the younger players a chance to shine unless an injury occurred. Is Vigneault afraid that a “rookie mistake” will cost them a goal? If that’s the case then Boyle has made mistakes that could be considered “rookie mistakes.”
Next: New York Rangers Offense Squanders Opportunity
In his 34 games in the regular season and his one playoff game McIlrath didn’t make many mistakes. It could be his physical play that sometime draws penalty calls and the last thing you want is to put the Penguins on the power play. However, at this moment it only seems fair to sit the struggling veteran and play the hopeful youth, who you know will be around next season.
It’s too early to know who will be starting on defense for tonight’s pivotal Game Four, as much as we hope Boyle sits, odds are Vigneault will go with the veteran over the rookie.