MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO - Defenseman - 29 - $.750MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2019-2020
LAST UPDATED 8/20/19
While Michael Del Zotto may not ever reach the potential he flashed when he scored 37 points as a teenage rookie on the Rangers, his services are still in demand by NHL teams and he does happen to now be a Stanley Cup champion. Del Zotto is a capable puck moving defenseman, with above-average wheels and decent puck skills. He can help establish the offense and break out of the defensive zone, and he can be an asset in transition. He doesn't have the best point shot and won't QB a power play, but he can move the puck decently and provides value there. Defensively, Del Zotto is a mess, though, as he lacks the size, strength, and grit to play in a true physical role. The residual effects of him playing such an aggressive offensive role for most of his career are still present, and he still hasn't been able to evolve how he plays. He's still mistake prone, and does't always use proper judgement about when to join the rush. His defensive awareness is lacking, and if he's playing he should be sheltered by a strong defensive partner or be playing non-intensive minutes in his own end. Del Zotto can still bring some defensive value if a coach can get him to limit his mistakes more efficiently, but he's not there yet. Still, Del Zotto's puck moving has value and he's a fine #6/7 defenseman who can fill in as a nightly NHL defenseman on a rebuilding team who can give him a long leash and needs some speed and excitement out of its back end, or he can be a #7 on a contending team, like he was in St. Louis, and draw into the lineup sporadically so his fresh legs can be more beneficial in energizing a tired team. He still has value to an NHL team, but he has some definite flaws in his game.
While Michael Del Zotto may not ever reach the potential he flashed when he scored 37 points as a teenage rookie on the Rangers, his services are still in demand by NHL teams and he does happen to now be a Stanley Cup champion. Del Zotto is a capable puck moving defenseman, with above-average wheels and decent puck skills. He can help establish the offense and break out of the defensive zone, and he can be an asset in transition. He doesn't have the best point shot and won't QB a power play, but he can move the puck decently and provides value there. Defensively, Del Zotto is a mess, though, as he lacks the size, strength, and grit to play in a true physical role. The residual effects of him playing such an aggressive offensive role for most of his career are still present, and he still hasn't been able to evolve how he plays. He's still mistake prone, and does't always use proper judgement about when to join the rush. His defensive awareness is lacking, and if he's playing he should be sheltered by a strong defensive partner or be playing non-intensive minutes in his own end. Del Zotto can still bring some defensive value if a coach can get him to limit his mistakes more efficiently, but he's not there yet. Still, Del Zotto's puck moving has value and he's a fine #6/7 defenseman who can fill in as a nightly NHL defenseman on a rebuilding team who can give him a long leash and needs some speed and excitement out of its back end, or he can be a #7 on a contending team, like he was in St. Louis, and draw into the lineup sporadically so his fresh legs can be more beneficial in energizing a tired team. He still has value to an NHL team, but he has some definite flaws in his game.
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