Del Zotto and Schremp Get Different New York Calls
Written on 9/29/2009 by Jim Cerny
"Based on his play, he has made the club," Tortorella said of Del Zotto this afternoon. "We feel right now he has played well enough to be with the National Hockey League team."
Del Zotto, the club's first round pick in the 2008 draft, has displayed much poise and confidence during camp and the pre-season games. And he has also show that he is as-advertised as a highly-skilled puck-moving defensemen.
Tortorella places much emphasis on having his defensemen join, and often lead, the rush. Now he has added two rookies who are more than willing to do that in Del Zotto and the 25 year-old Matt Gilroy, who also had a splendid pre-season.
There will be a big learning curve for Del Zotto---especially on the defensive-side of his game---but there is a tremendous upside, as well. There is the chance he does not spend the entire season in the NHL because he still is eligible to play for his major junior team in London, though he will start the season as a New York Ranger, and will be evaluated closely from that day forward. The Rangers can play Del Zotto in nine NHL games without him losing his junior eligibility and before his entry level contract kicks in.
Mark my words, though. If Del Zotto proves he can play in the NHL over those nine games, Tortorella will keep him. His age and inexperience will not matter. Torts just lights up when he speaks about Del Zotto and Gilroy quarterbacking things, both at present and in the future.
If Del Zotto is overwhelmed during his indoctrination to the NHL, he can still go back to London and play 30 minutes a night, knowing that a return engagement in the National Hockey League is coming as soon as 2010-11.
"I'm just taking it one day at a time," Del Zotto told me. "They could send me back before nine games, or even tomorrow, for all I know. So I am here to prove myself every day. My goal is to be here all year."
I have more on Del Zotto in a feature I wrote today over at newyorkrangers.com.
**********************************************************************************
Smart pick-up by the Islanders today, claiming center Rob Schremp off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers. The 23 year-old has been a big disappointment since being Edmonton's first round pick in 2004. Schremp has played in only seven NHL games---picking up three points, all during last year's four-game stint---and has not come close to resembling the 58-goal, 145-point player he was with London in the OHL back in 2005-06.
But Schremp does have a 20-goal season under his belt at the professional level (23 in the AHL two years ago), and, well, he'll always have that monster season in junior on his resume, making him worth a second look.
With the Islanders, Schremp should land some quality ice-time, including important power play time, which should jumpstart his confidence, as well as his offensive production.
Katie Strang of Newsday caught up with Schremp earlier today as he was driving down from his home in upsate New York to Long Island, and he was predictably excited about the opportunity with the Islanders.
"It's exciting," Schremp told Katie. "It's a new situation...I'm excited to be an Islander."
Unless someone moves to the wing, the Islanders are putting together a pretty interesting young nucleus down the middle with Schremp, first overall pick John Tavares, and last year's No. 1 Josh Bailey. Throw 25 year-old Frans Nielsen into the mix, along with veteran Doug Weight, and, well, at least it's better than what they had last year, and they could be developing a decent nucleus moving forward.
Schremp will get his opportunity on the Island. Let's see what he does with it.
Posted in
John Tortorella,
Matt Gilroy,
Michael Del Zotto,
New York Islanders,
New York Rangers,
NHL,
Rink Rap,
Rob Schremp
|
Jess made some interesting and valid points regarding Michael Del Zotto in the comments section of my previous posting (about Nazem Kadri being returned to his junior club).
I agree, Jess, about Gordie Clark's quote about dominating where you play before moving up to the next level, and I do wonder about Del Zotto filling out physically, like Kadri, before making the jump into the NHL.
But I disagree on another point. Del Zotto is not going to worry too much and be paralyzed by the need to play mistake-free hockey. Torts wants him to go and take chances, and will back him up when he makes mistakes. Obviously, if he makes too many, and they outweigh his contributions, he won't last in the NHL this season. But that can be said for any player battling to keep his spot. Del Zotto is a very confident kid. And with Torts having his back, I don't think the fear of making mistakes will ruin his psyche.
Excellent and well thought out observations, Jess. Thanks for the input.
I need to dole out some more credit to my friend Cathy Smith (@cathybytes on Twitter) for the picture of Michael Del Zotto found in this posting.
Thanks Cathy!
Jim
I hope with MDZ that you wind up right as I like him, he is a good hard working kid who will eventually become a solid contributor to the Ranger lineup.
I guess my problem is that I do not trust Tortorella to develop his talent.
BTW I sent you a private message via Linkedin.
Nice