Gilroy Signs With Whale
LongIsland native----and former Ranger defenseman---Matt Gilroy has agreed to deal with AHL Whale
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) October 5, 2012
Larry Brooks at the NY Post adds that Gilroy will presumably sign with the Rangers after the lockout.
Kevin DeLury:
Can you say insurance if the Rangers can't re-sign Del Zotto?
While Gilroy wasn't terrible during his time with the Rangers, actually, one could argue he was their best defenseman against the Capitals in playoffs back in 2011, he has proved since leaving the Rangers that he's not a top six NHL defenseman. Hope they get something done with Del Zotto when new CBA takes effect.
Adam Herman:
It's hard to have any qualms with his addition. He knows the organization and by all accounts is not problematic from a character perspective. And with Erixon gone and McIlrath injured the Whale are in serious need of help on the defensive end. In fact, here is a scary but real situation; should we actually have an NHL season and should a Rangers defenseman get hurt, Sean Collins and Mike Vernace are the best options we currently have in the AHL as call-ups. Even with his faults and shortcomings, I would gladly welcome a two-way, NHL contract for Gilroy if those are the alternatives.
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"one could argue he was their best defenseman against the Capitals in playoffs back in 2011" YES! He was flying all over the ice in that series, glad to see he's back-ish. Way better player than Bickel.
@TheNYRBlog Also, some insurance for moving Erixon in that deal for Nash! Not a bad option if he comes in a cheap cash!
I don't know if you heard but he also spent a lot of his youth playing forward before attending Boston University.
@TheNYRBlog Can't re-sign DZ or smarten up and decide not to bother, actually try to win some hockey games?
Good move especially when you consider the names if the defensemen the Rangers can call up in the event there's an injury on the Big Boy Club.
weird... But it's the Rangers. And if you're gonna be weird, you might as well be the kind of weird..
Decent move. I mentioned him awhile back as a good depth player. I wasn't confident that Torts trusted Bickel, Eminger or Stralman much in last year's playoffs and didn't see how bringing all of them back made much sense. I also don't think he thinks Gilroy is all that great but I think he's as good if not better than those three.
I really liked his time with the Rangers, its funny how fans are ready to give Del Zotto and Sauer and all the other younglings time and space to grow but Gilroy is just at a dead end.
He played well for Ottawa whenever I was able to watch him and I think its great to see him back with us. If it was not for the $ he would have never left...
@MarkFox In no way, shape, or form does this move hurt the team. I kinda think it's a really smart move. If push came to shove you'd have to agree that he's of more value to the team than Bickle would be.
@TheNYRBlog good signing but that is ridiculous Gilroy isn't even in the same class as DelZotto
@JerseyShorePuck I agree, but offensive dman depth doesn't hurt when Del Zotto contract situation in flux.
@jhascup22 Agree that MDZ's skill set is far superior, but doesnt hurt 2 have another offensive dman around in case problems w/ MDZ contract
