McIlrath is simply born in the wrong era in my opinion. Guy would be a NHL regular in the 90s but he just doesn't skate well enough for the modern game. I love having him in GR protecting our young guys, I would hope the Ilitch family puts a decent AHL salary together for him and retains him as long as he remains interested but I don't think he can really change his fate with NHL teams.
Bowey is a bit like a right-handed Smith thus far. All tool box kind of player that plays physical but has questionable decision making in all three zones to date. It is a flier that he can get this righted, we essential traded Jensen for two fliers in the second round pick and Bowey finally meeting his ridiculous potential. But it is getting late in the game for him even as a D-man, still he has the qualities NHL teams look for, he just needs to play with a bit more pace in his decision making. The Caps are a very good team, they weren't really ideal for him to work through his mistakes on. I think it is a smart gamble, I was high on Bowey in his draft year, he has things to work with, but his struggles are with the mental aspects and game processing, maybe it clicks here maybe not. If it doesn't with us Bowey is likely bound for Europe or McIlrath's standing currently in the AHL in terms of a good player that just cannot keep up with the NHL for a different reason but a problem none the less.