Dylan McIlrath : 2010 NHL Draft Profile

by David Oleksy on Jun 17, 2010 10:00 AM EDT

In preparation for the NHL Draft on June 25, Die by the Blade will profile potential Buffalo Sabres Draft Picks. This feature will run daily with one or two players profiled each day.

Dylan McIlrath

Defense

Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

6'-4" 215 lbs.

Shoots: Right

Hometown: Winnipeg, MB

Date of Birth: April 20, 1992

Stats: 65 GP, 7 G, 17 A, 24 PTS 169 PIM

Scouting Report

The Good - McIlrath is an old-school, physical, stay-at-home defenseman. Some of the older Sabres fans will remember physical defensemen Jim Schoenfeld and Jerry "King Kong" Korab. While the nickname "King Kong" has already been taken, McIlrath goes by "Big Mac Truck" while playing in Moose Jaw.

McIlrath is the type of physical player that Sabres fans love and appreciate. McIlrath will drop the gloves whenever he needs to and will not back down to anyone.

The Bad - Like most big guys, he needs to work on his hands and his skating. At this point he looks like a guy that can play physical but might not be able to keep up with the pace of the NHL. He has time to work on his skating and become a better all-around player.

What They Are Saying

Moose Jaw Warriors broadcaster James Gallo

"17-year-old Dylan Mcilrath’s large frame casts a shadow that many NHL scouts and opposing teams have taken notice of. His strong defense and punishing physical play has turned him into a fan favourite at the Civic Center."

Links

NHL.com Draft Profile

Fox News

Hockey Fights Page

Why The Sabres Might Pick Him

If he develops his game defensively, he would look really good alongside Tyler Myers. The Sabres have been known as a team with big soft defensemen in recent years and McIlrath would be evidence that things are going to change. Just look at how important Hal Gill was for the Canadiens in the playoffs, this guy could be that player in five or six years.

Why The Sabres Might Pass on Him

McIlrath is sort of a wild card in this draft. I have seen him selected as early as number 12 in some mock drafts while others have him being taken 30th. McIlrath is a tough but he is ultimately a project player. The Sabres brass has been questioned for their poor first round choices and a project might not happen in this draft.

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Comments

I’ve seen a lot of mock drafts that have us taking this kid. Personally, with the glut of defensemen we have in the system, I’d like to see us lean more towards frowards, especially centers, in this draft to give us that nice 1.5:1 ratio of forwards:defensemen in the pipeline.

by Andy Boron on Jun 17, 2010 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah I feel the same way, except I dont think that we have too many “stay at home” defenseman. That would be the type of player, if we go D, that I hope we go after.

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by bflo on Jun 17, 2010 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Sabres need help now; this guy is way to far in the future to consider at this time.

by Geolover on Jun 17, 2010 12:11 PM EDT reply actions

Geo clearly wants us to draft Evgeny Malkin 25th overall.

Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism

Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!

by Ubiquitous on Jun 17, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, Myers and Ennis were both drafted in 2008 and were playing for the big club 2 years later. I think something like that is more what Geo has in mind – get somebody to help us during Miller’s prime.

by Andy Boron on Jun 17, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d agree with that, but the scouting report isn’t going to say that for any player drafted 23, you just have to get lucky.

I’d be more agreeable if he didn’t say that on every potential draft pick post.

Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism

Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!

by Ubiquitous on Jun 17, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with Geo

I would rather see the Sabres take a center. We don’t have a second round pick. After the third the odds of a player making it drop quite a bit. We have a ton of defense in the pipeline. The only center we have that looks promising is Luke Adam. I really like Sheahan, but he looks like a winger. If he’s there I take him. If not grab a center.

by danabob on Jun 17, 2010 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

We have a ton of d-men in the pipeline, but very few righties. this guy is intriguing for that quirk alone. Big, tough, natural Right Side defensemen are hard to come by. If we’re not trading the 23rd pick (which I would prefer if it will net us Kaberle or similar) I’m good with using it to grab this kind of asset. Forwards drafted in this area have too much of a tendency to become Dan Paille at best.

And he will not look good next to Myers, they both can’t play the right side.

Ta,

by Tom Luongo on Jun 17, 2010 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

you're right

I guess what I meant to say is…it would be nice to have two very good (yet different) defensemen on the same team. I definitely implied they would be defensive partners, although that wasn’t my intention.

D.O.
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by David Oleksy on Jun 17, 2010 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions