McDonagh is Old School at Early Age

[Johnnydollaz89]

NEW YORK -- Watch Ryan McDonagh during the singing of the national anthem and pay close attention when it ends.

While other players disperse, shaking out their skates, strapping on their helmets and taking one last mini-lap before the puck drops, McDonagh remains at the blue line, still.

It's not until the American flag, and often the U.S. serviceman or woman carrying it, exits the ice that he skates off for the last few seconds of pregame preparation.

It's just a thing he does, he says, to show appreciation for his country and those who serve. It's a simple token of respect.

At a time in the game when the very notion of respect is a hot topic of debate, McDonagh represents a throwback of sorts. Still young at just 24, he embodies the old-school, blue-collar, meat-and-potatoes hockey player of previous generations, a player who embraces the concept of loyalty, commitment, honor and, most importantly, respect.

Respect is not just something McDonagh has shown, it's something he has earned -- from coaches, management and teammates alike -- in his time with the New York Rangers, during which he has quickly developed from a top prospect to one of the team's brightest stars.

"He's been by far our best defenseman," coach Alain Vigneault said in a recent pregame briefing. "Probably one of our best overall players."

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/10...hool-young-age

Kid is really becoming one of the best all-around defensemen in the game. His offense is getting up there now, getting more time on the PP. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he is a future Norris Trophy candidate or even winner. We really struck Gold when we traded for him.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Anson Carter's take on him.

Ryan McDonagh played 31:01 on Sunday against Calgary and has played over 27 minutes in 4 of his last 5 games.
When McDonagh is on the ice, according to Extra Skater, the Rangers have had more than 50% of the 5 on 5 shot attempts in eight straight games.
Anson Carter said after the Rangers lost to the Jets that McDonagh reminds him a little bit of Nicklas Lidstrom, “Lidstrom was a hard guy to play against, not that physical, but had an active stick that made it so hard to get around him.”
Dave Maloney said that McDonagh is effective because of how he sees the game and how he is rarely out of position.
Alain Vigneault said recently that McDonagh was the only Rangers defensemen who has played up to expectations set for him.
Maloney said recently “he continues to be a wonderful player and defender, let alone that he is putting points on the board. The strength of his game is not allowing an offensive opponent any time and space. His ability to skate and how he gets his stick in the right position.”
McDonagh is in the first-year of a six-year contract that has a cap hit of $4.7 million.
He is 13th in the NHL in points by a defenseman with 19.

SNY Rangers Blog | A New York Rangers Blog That Goes Into The Corners

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Anson Carter's take on him.

Ryan McDonagh played 31:01 on Sunday against Calgary and has played over 27 minutes in 4 of his last 5 games.
When McDonagh is on the ice, according to Extra Skater, the Rangers have had more than 50% of the 5 on 5 shot attempts in eight straight games.
Anson Carter said after the Rangers lost to the Jets that McDonagh reminds him a little bit of Nicklas Lidstrom, “Lidstrom was a hard guy to play against, not that physical, but had an active stick that made it so hard to get around him.”
Dave Maloney said that McDonagh is effective because of how he sees the game and how he is rarely out of position.
Alain Vigneault said recently that McDonagh was the only Rangers defensemen who has played up to expectations set for him.
Maloney said recently “he continues to be a wonderful player and defender, let alone that he is putting points on the board. The strength of his game is not allowing an offensive opponent any time and space. His ability to skate and how he gets his stick in the right position.”
McDonagh is in the first-year of a six-year contract that has a cap hit of $4.7 million.
He is 13th in the NHL in points by a defenseman with 19.

SNY Rangers Blog | A New York Rangers Blog That Goes Into The Corners