SUNRISE, Fla. _ Much-needed change of scenery for Dylan McIlrath will bring a different look to a Florida Panthers defensive corps still adapting to an offseason overhaul.
Curiously, the former 10th overall draft pick (2010), known as a big-body bruiser, was deemed unsuitable for a Rangers up-tempo style of play similar to what the Panthers have emphasized in retooling their defense.
The Rangers cut ties Tuesday when they sent McIlrath to the Panthers for Steven Kampfer, another defenseman who found playing time elusive this season.
Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton told New York media, "I think it's a style-of-play issue right now with the way we're playing. We want to play a little more up-tempo, and that's not Dylan's game."
But Dale Tallon, Panthers president of hockey operations, said Wednesday that McIlrath will bring a useful contrast to the speed-and-skill element of the defense.
"We've got a lot of that," Tallon said. "You can't have too much of one thing, so we're trying to mix it up and make it so we're a little more versatile and have a few more options.
"I thought it was necessary to add a little size and a little grit to our backend. ... With the young team that we have, it's important to have that, especially when you're on the road against tough teams."
The Panthers have lacked an intimidating, physical presence since trading Erik Gudbranson to Vancouver. They selected Gudbranson third overall in the same draft that McIlrath went to New York.
The 6-foot-5, 236-pound Winnipeg native didn't arrive in time to practice Wednesday at the BB&T Center but was expected to participate in the morning skate prior to Thursday's game against San Jose. There was no indication if he would make his Panthers debut in the game.
Before making the deal, Tallon discussed McIlrath with veteran defenseman Keith Yandle, who played with him last season in New York and was paired with McIlrath on several occasions.
"We played eight to 10 games together. I enjoyed it," Yandle said. "He's a guy that when you play with a big tough kid like him he opens the ice up for a guy like myself. He does a good job of getting pucks in the corners, being solid in front of the net and making good passes to get out of the zone.
"I just told (Tallon) he's a guy that can help your team out. Obviously, he's a really tough kid and really takes pride in being a good teammate and sticking up for teammates."
McIlrath played 34 games for the Rangers last season, registering a plus-7 while tallying four points (2-2). He was credited with 93 hits and 35 blocked shots while averaging 14 minutes and logging 64 penalty minutes.
But he reportedly did not do well during training camp in Rangers coach Alain Vigneault's fast-paced system.
"He adds a dimension to our hockey club for sure," Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. "We need a physical presence, and I like those type of players, so he should fit in for us real good.
"We're a different type of D this year. We move the puck, we're a quicker, not as physical D as we had last year. But this guy brings some of that stuff, and we'll see how it all works out."
There have been some defensive lapses on the way to the Panthers' 6-6-1 start. But Tallon said he likes the progress of the current pairings: Yandle and Jason Demers; Alex Petrovic and Mark Pysyk; Aaron Ekblad and Michael Matheson.
It remains to be seen where McIlrath fits in. Kampfer, who appeared in 73 games for the Panthers over the past three seasons, got into only one this season. McIlrath, like Kampfer, was exposed to waivers recently and went unclaimed.
"It's a tough schedule. Every other day we play a game. He's going to get lots of opportunities, depending on the situation," Tallon said of McIlrath.
