Former New York Rangers defenseman shares his true feelings on EJ Emery
Photo credit: NHL
Matt Gilroy is a former Rangers defenseman who has a good gauge for talent and has offered his opinion on the former USNTDP player's future with the Rangers.
He feels that the fans will love Emery:
«Rangers fans are going to love him.»
Gilroy, now an assistant coach at Harvard University after serving two seasons with the US NTDP told Forever Blueshirts what he likes about Emery:
«To be a kid at such a young age and be so driven and focused, it's pretty wild to see,» Gilroy explained in a phone conversation with Forever Blueshirts on Tuesday. «I think his strength is how he understands defense. It's such a hard skill to learn and he already understands it at a high, high level.
«He's going to a great program at North Dakota and he's only going to get better. I think he's just scratching the surface of what he's going to be as a player. To see him over the next few years is going to be very exciting. Rangers fans should be excited.»
«He's going to a great program at North Dakota and he's only going to get better. I think he's just scratching the surface of what he's going to be as a player. To see him over the next few years is going to be very exciting. Rangers fans should be excited.»
Emery was the Rangers 30th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He's known primarily as a defensive-defenseman and scored 16 points in 61 games with the USNTDP in 61 games.
«I would say my skating ability and how well I play defense (are my best skills),» Emery said at the draft in Las Vegas. «I'm really going to be a lockdown guy that can shutdown plays, get the puck up ice and make plays.»
His showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase impressed many. He'll also join Drew Fortescue and Gabe Perrault, fellow Rangers prospects at the 2025 World Junior Championships in December.
For now, he'll join the University of North Dakota where he's he's begun Summer Classes. The Rangers Director of Player Development John Lilley has stated the team doesn't intend to rush him to the pro level anytime soon.
He needs to mature physically and hone his game before he makes it to the NHL and Gilroy agrees with that approach.
When the day comes, Gilroy believes Emergy will be ready to grab the brass ring:
«He'll be ready for Madison Square Garden and they're gonna love him.»
And why is that?
«Unbelievable kid, unbelievable defender, and the future is bright with him.»
And why is that?
«Unbelievable kid, unbelievable defender, and the future is bright with him.»
| POLL | ||
26 AOUT | 59 ANSWERS Former New York Rangers defenseman shares his true feelings on EJ Emery Do you think EJ Emery will join the Rangers lineup in the next 2-3 years? | ||
| Yes | 43 | 72.9 % |
| No | 16 | 27.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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