Dylan McIlrath Knows His Spot Isn't Guaranteed, So He's Leaving It All Out There For The Capitals
Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath explains why this is a pivotal training camp and shares what he hopes to show the coaching staff with key decisions looming.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — Dylan McIlrath’s been around long enough to know that nothing’s guaranteed in this league.
Even after signing a two-year contract extension to stay with the Washington Capitals, who are stacked on defense, McIlrath still needs to earn his roster spot.
“I got to make sure that I’m playing my best hockey here,” McIlrath said. “Still need to earn a spot, even though I got the contract.”
Tom Wilson said it best on Day 1 of training camp: “I’m telling you, the kids are good. If I don’t keep improving, I’m not going to have a job pretty soon.”
McIlrath isn’t blind to that, either, with Declan Chisholm coming in over the offseason and young prsopect Vincent Iorio making a strong case to stick around.
“I’m not naïve to the fact that there’s a lot of young, good talent coming up,” he noted. “That’s first and foremost.”
The 33-year-old, who just 15 years ago was a 10th overall pick, slotted in to just 17 regular-season games for Washington last season, registering two assists, 28 penalty minutes and a plus/minus rating of minus-3.
McIlrath knows his role at this point in his career; he’s a depth defenseman, a right-hand shot who can bring physicality and use his 6-foot-5 frame to his advantage. However, he wants to bring more than that.
“(I know) what I bring physicality wise and toughness wise, but it’s more being trusted to play some minutes,” McIlrath said. “Break out pucks, little things that I mean ares imple but are important to winning hockey. Even getting the puck from my zone to the offesnive zone, that’s going to be key for me. Just kind of instilling trust in coaches that I can play all situations.”
Halfway through camp, the defensive competition is heating up with a handful of preseason games left to go. Those exhibition matches will be crucial for McIlrath and the others in a running for a spot, as Spencer Carbery said those will be crucial in the decision-making process.
“That’s what we’re really going to have to dive in and give them good opportunity… really try to do our best to evaluate as a staff and as an organization,” Carbery said.
Wherever McIlrath ends up playing, though, he has the same goal: to be a difference maker and contributor in the lineup.
“This season (is about) just proving that I can be trusted upon to play some minutes,” McIlrath said. “I really think when I’m at the top of my game, I can help the team, bringing different elements… I got a lot of confidence.”