Del Zotto or Sanguinetti?

In her recap of last night's Rangers/Red Wings game, Leslie Treff at Hockey's Future New York Rangers Blog takes a look at the battle for the sixth defensive position between Michael Del Zotto and Bobby Sanguinetti...

"Without Staal, those issues were much more exposed last night, and to some extent, each of Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy’s errors cost a goal against last evening. Del Zotto particularly looked a overmatched at times last night against the better players that Detroit put on the ice."

...he did? I know Del Zotto had a bad giveaway on the Red Wings first goal, but I didn't think he looked overmatched last night.

"Bobby Sanguinetti, who is also looking to break into the NHL roster on the blueline, played fewer minutes than either Del Zotto or Gilroy. He looks less dynamic than either of the other two rookies, and still needs some work on his game, but he did perform admirably in his own zone and should see the ice again later in the week."

...standing out isn't always a good thing for a defenseman, but Sanguinetti is supposed to be an offensive blueliner, so the fact that he looks less "dynamic" than the other two rookies is a big minus in his corner.

"Sanguinetti very possibly will beat out Del Zotto, who can play in nine NHL regular season games before his NHL contract kicks in, for a roster spot. Del Zotto will be given a very long look, but he is looking less and less as a lock to stay with the NHL team as the pre-season moves on."

...in my opinion the only way Sanguinetti beats out Del Zotto is if the Rangers are worried about how Del Zotto will hold up the entire year and since they can't send him down to Hartford they'll be stuck with a decision to keep throwing him out there or sit him in the press box for long stretches.

...i see the Rangers sending Sanguinetti down to Hartford to begin the season and give Del Zotto the nine games he's allowed before the Rangers have to decide whether to send him back to Juniors to prove himself.