I could care less about the argument you are in but let's remember something. Some of the SAME people that talked up McIlrath did so the past two years. They said he would make the team 2 years ago AND last year. He didn't. He had a great camp, he earned his 7th defenseman spot. BIG DEAL. We have no idea what's going to happen next. Do you?
It's been 5 years since he was drafted 10th overall and we have fans celebrating like McIlrath just won the Norris Trophy. It's awesome he proved some people right but that doesn't change the fact 5 years later, McIlrath still has to get into the lineup and play well.....against teams that are actually competing for wins and not guys competing on mish-mash preseason lineups.
Nobody is taking away McIlrath camp. He deserves his congratulations on winning the 7TH D. He still can't get into the opening night lineup 5 years after his 10th overall selection. But just saying that is somehow wrong.
As if being realistic about expectations for a probable AAAA player somehow makes a person less than a fan of the team.
As Bill Parcells used to say lets see what happens when the lights come on and the games count. I look forward to seeing McIlrath against the Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, or Maple Leafs. He's sure to dress for those games.....Right? One of them, maybe?
Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but it seems to me like your hatred is quite misplaced. Is it Dylan's fault that he was the 10th OA selection? **** no. Is it Dylan's fault that a lot of fans seemd to forget that he was a project pick through and through? **** no.
He was drafted 5 years ago, but last year was his first FULL pro season. Every other year he suffered an injury. Is it such a coincidence that in his first FULL pro season that his progression grew to infinity? Not at all.
Those fans who were predicting that he'd make the team two years ago were doing so before injuries derailed his professional progression. The McIlrath we're seeing in camp this season was the one we should've seen in camp two seasons ago. Injuries are a *****.
He was drafted in 2010, but before the 14-15 season, he had played in only 111 professional regular season games (109 AHL, 2 NHL).
Barely over a season of professional hockey (due to injury) 4 seasons after being drafted.
There's so much more at play here than you being mad at the 5% of fans who always kept faith in the kid, or the fact that the Rangers made the mistake of taking him 10 OA.
If you're gonna be mad, at least be productively mad. Or, if you're going to be mad, stop trying to take away the kid's accomplishment, and the fans who are happy for him to realize that he's taken a huge step and has the potential to be a big part of the team this season, and in the seasons to come.