When the Rangers drafted Dylan Mcilrath last summer they drafted by need. They saw an absence of size, physicality and nastiness in the organisation and drafted the big defenceman 10th overall, surprising many outside the organisation. Mcilrath has suffered through injury, a struggling team and only recently started to play to the level of impact defenceman for his Moose jaw side.

Here’s where the problem lies. Many journalists, Rangers fans and people within hockey were shocked when the Rangers passed on Brandon Gormley and Cam Fowler to pick Mcilrath. Well, Fowler is off to a very strong start with Anaheim in the NHL and is having a rookie year much like Del Zotto had for the Rangers last year. Fowler is on pace for 40 points and is considered by many to be a candidate for ‘steal of the 2010 draft’. The Rangers are still dealing with a reputation for drafting poorly (even if its not a fair reputation recently) and the better Fowler does the more pressure there will be on Mcilrath to pan out.

Even if Mcilrath dominates at both ends in the WHL this season he’ll be unfavourably compared to success stories such as Fowler until he makes it to the NHL himself. What also doesn’t help is that the type of defenceman that Mcilrath is usually takes longer to develop so while the RangersĀ themselves may have the required patience needed for Mcilrath the pressure still exists. So while Fowler collects plaudits Dylan Mcilrath will be in junior trying to measure up to ‘other’ players unfairly and avoid becoming another Hugh Jessiman. This (prospect) situation bears monitoring.

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