Fans are used to hearing that defenseman and goaltenders take the longest amount of time to develop in the NHL. In most cases that’s true and in the case of Michael Del Zotto that’s definitely one of the reasons that he’s quietly become one of the New York Rangers most dependable defenseman after a bit of a journey that saw him temporarily fall out of favor with the New York Rangers fan base.

In 2009 the Stouffville, Ontario native burst on to the scene with a lot of fanfare after being selected 9th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He got a lot of press clippings and a lot of pundits loved his offensive play and he managed to notch 37 points. Well that was nice but the next season he was turning the puck over in his own zone, had the puck bouncing over his stick on the power play and that got him a one-way ticket to Connecticut. Was he rushed, perhaps, but now he had to work his way out of it.

He did well in the AHL and coming into training camp this year he was looking to grab a spot once again on the Rangers’ blueline. We’ll he’s done that and more. He’s leading all Rangers defenseman with 29 points he’s consistently a plus player for the first time in his NHL career. Actually he’s third in the league in plus-minus (+25) and 5th on his team in scoring.

Ryan McDonagh is third in the league in blocked shots with 134 and Dan Girardi is 5th with 131. Del Zotto, known for his offense and hits has 72 blocks this season, helping to give the New York Rangers an edge defensively over most teams in the NHL.

“That’s the identity of our hockey club. We do the little things. We’re a hard-nosed team. Everyone is buying into blocking shots. It’s just the way we play,” said Del Zotto. “The odd one might deflect off us and go in but that’s something you just have to live with. We’re getting some night’s now where team’s are almost scared to take shots because they know we are going to block them.”

When the Rangers play a team like the Flyers the Rangers always seem to be able to get them to play their game.

“That play’s right into our style. Anytime we play another team that plays the same as us I think it just plays right into our hands.”

Maybe the answer to beating the Rangers is to play a finesse brand of hockey. Clearly they are having great success against teams that play a rough and tumble style.