COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jacques Lemaire scratched Scott Niedermayer for a pair of games in the final week of 1993-94, when the future Hall of Fame defenseman was finishing his sophomore season for a powerhouse Devils team, so there is no stain attached to Michael Del Zotto’s benching by Rangers coach John Tortorella in Ottawa on Thursday.
It is imperative, however, that when the sophomore defenseman returns to the lineup, perhaps tonight against the Blue Jackets, that he play to his strength, which is moving the puck on a quick, crisp first pass on the breakout then using his exceptional vision and passing ability inside the offensive zone.
It is imperative, as well, that Tortorella return Del Zotto to the quarterback position on the first power play unit so the 20-year-old, who was given a “homework assignment” to write a report on the power play and his position on defense after watching the Rangers’ 5-3 victory from the press box, can be in the best possible position to succeed.
Rangers historians only hope the paper isn’t graded on penmanship, which, according to legend, is the way general manager Glen Sather evaluated Bryan Trottier’s 18-page handwritten application for the coaching job in 2002.
Del Zotto came into the year pledging to improve his work in the defensive zone after completing his rookie season at minus-20. But that frigid rating was somewhat deceiving, as he was minus-17 in his first 39 games before finishing even over his past 16 matches and plus-3 over the final 11. Del Zotto currently is minus-2.
Perhaps trying to be all things to all people, Del Zotto’s signature passing ability has suffered, both out of his own end to start the breakout and inside the offensive zone with the man advantage. Del Zotto has appeared indecisive, perhaps overthinking it. Fact is, No. 4 has five points (2-3) on the PP, and two (1-1) in his past 17 games.
There are a couple of mitigating factors. First, absent Marian Gaborik for a dozen games, the Rangers were lacking an explosive presence through the neutral zone to take those home run feeds. Second, absent a gunner on the point opposite him and too often lined up on the right rather than the left, where he was a force last year dropping down to the circle, Del Zotto’s options on the PP have been limited.
The fact is Del Zotto was at his best running the power play last year when he had big bomber (alas, also big bomb) Ales Kotalik across from him to benefit from the kid’s ability to open the ice dropping down low and to deliver the puck. The absence of a legitimate shooter at the point remains one of the club’s biggest deficiencies.
The coaches should work with Del Zotto on his rush reads and coverage in his own end. But his defense shouldn’t come at the cost of his offensive game, for that’s what sets the 20-year-old apart.
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Steve Eminger, whose back locked up in the third period Thursday, did not practice yesterday. If he can’t go, Del Zotto will return to the lineup. Tortorella did not reveal his plan should Eminger be healthy enough to play. Derek Boogaard returned home to have his previously sprained right shoulder examined after landing on it heavily at the end of his fight with Matt Carkner.