Ryan McDonagh still feeling his way around the League, force fed into a top pair position, by Coach John Tortorella this season, deserves some All Star Game votes. He latched onto a second pair spot last season with the intensity of a hungry Badger, showing the poise of a five year NHL vet, while paired with fellow rookie Michael Sauer. This seasons performance has been remarkable. Thrust into top pair duty replacing a concussed Marc Staal, his game has had a spectacular surge. He’s to busy hammering down his legitimate NHL top pair status, to worry about the dreaded sophmore slump. He and Dan Girardi both belong in the All Star game.
The entire Ranger organization no longer has to worry, can McDonagh keep it up? The question has become, whats his ceiling? A very solid defensive and gritty physical game, is being punctuated with offensive forays that are often jaw dropping. Every game sees a couple trips up the ice with “oh so close” results. Its only a matter of time before the red light starts blinking. At his present rate of improvement, don’t be suprised if its post Christmas.
All Ranger fans ask, is Ryan McDonagh takes that offensive step, Brandon Dubinsky finds his offensive game, Chris Kreider has a productive NHL spring debut, and the Staal, Sauer concussion issues are over. Grant those Santa and Ranger spring playoff optimism will be bubbling like a volcano.