Tell me about Michael Del Zotto - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Nehkara · 07-09-2014, 06:12 PM

When I was at the Flames development camp this week, one of the other fans mentioned Michael Del Zotto as a UFA the Flames might be interested in.

He is a rather intriguing player, especially given that he is only 24.

I was wondering what his positives and negatives are and whether you folks think he would be a useful player for the Flames?

I realize he is a left shooting defensemen and we have a cupboard full of them but I still wanted to ask the question.

RockOnRoberts · 07-09-2014, 06:17 PM

Michael del Zotto is no good.

mile · 07-09-2014, 06:18 PM

There is clearly something in his game or character that has made him not worth a QQ. Both the Rangers and Predators wanted to dump him.

He struggles in his own end of the ice and when you can't provide offense to compensate like he did this year you will be struggling to find an NHL job.

RockOnRoberts · 07-09-2014, 06:20 PM

But seriously though, he is a defensive disaster. His positioning is terrible, his decisions with the puck are not always great, but he does show some occasional flashes of offensive skill. A big thing he does, similar to Tyler Myers, is lead the rush for some godforsaken reason. So when it comes time to switch back to defense he is usually back checking from behind the oter teams net into his zone, often leading to odd man rushes against. This is just from what I saw watching him as a Ranger.

Flames Fan in Exile · 07-09-2014, 06:20 PM

Nm nothing to see here... Move along... Move along...

FlamesAddiction · 07-09-2014, 06:21 PM

Camp invite if he is still unsigned in September.

BigT112 · 07-09-2014, 06:25 PM

As much as his age intrigues me, the fact that he hasn't been signed indicates to me that there are problems not only on the ice, but off the ice. The Flames have to be careful not to disrupt the chemistry that was developed in the room by the end of last year as it's an important piece of the puzzle and I have a hunch that part of the problem with the Rangers and Predators was that he wasn't a good teammate. I don't want a player coming into the Flames and disrupting the chemistry of this team.

Huntingwhale · 07-09-2014, 06:32 PM

He likes hats.

fastpuck · 07-09-2014, 06:41 PM

http://nypost.com/2014/07/05/moment-...for-del-zotto/
"For right now, five years down a road filled with speed bumps and now a dead end, Del Zotto is perceived as difficult to coach. This is surely a primary reason why Del Zotto remains without a job in a league of third, fourth and fifth chances … and not only when he is defending in his own end. But seriously, folks."

Caged Great · 07-09-2014, 07:02 PM

We just got rid of O'Brien. You'd be replacing him with a similar guy (not on ice). Doesn't seem to be a fit despite his talent.

DOOM · 07-09-2014, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Camp invite if he is still unsigned in September.

He is definitely worth an NHL contract and will get one, imo (or will sign for big money overseas)

T@T · 07-09-2014, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockOnRoberts

Michael del Zotto is no good.

I disagree, but please expand your thoughts to convince me.

BurningSteel · 07-09-2014, 08:20 PM

To some he goes by Mike.

DOOM · 07-09-2014, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T@T

I disagree, but please expand your thoughts to convince me.

I think he still has potential because he is young, but his stock has really fallen.

Rarely do you see good RFA players not qualified by their teams. (and then go this long into free agency without a contract)

I think he will sign somewhere cheap 1.25-2.0 million for one year.

Anduril · 07-09-2014, 09:42 PM

One of his main weapons on the Rangers is a great breakout/stretch pass. Converting him to forward wouldn't really help.

Fire · 07-09-2014, 11:12 PM

He has a cool sounding name. Sign him to a 1 year $1.5 million deal.

Textcritic · 07-10-2014, 06:57 AM

He would look good in Edmonton.

InSutterWeTrust · 07-10-2014, 07:29 AM

Del Zotto is only 24! It's not like we are talking about Derek Morris or another d-man nearing the end of their career. Giordano didn't start really developing into the player he is today until he was 24-26. I'm not saying Del Zotto will be a Giordano, but a 1-2 year contract for a couple million, would be a chance that is worth the risk. Del Zotto had some flashes of a good player in his rookie year, maybe it will never come back, maybe it will who knows. We have money to play with in the cap, its not like 07-08 where we were tight against the cap, and if we only sign Del Zotto to 1-2 years, if it doesn't work, than he is gone when we start needing money for players like Monahan and Gaudreau.

Goaltender · 07-11-2014, 12:59 AM

I caught the conversation late on the radio today but I think Kerr was chatting with a beat reporter for the Preds, and he was talking about in the short time that MDZ was a member of the Preds that he was talked about as a good teammate and a good guy in the room. This seems to contradict what alot of people here are assuming.

It's puzzling, a 24 year-old 1st round pick who already has a 40-point season under his belt being passed on by seemingly every NHL team suggests that something HAS to be wrong with the guy. If it is true that he is a good guy in the room and his game has just gotten away from him the past season, the Flames should absolutely take a chance on him - but based on Nashville and New York abandoning him so quick, I feel it may not be the case.

the_only_turek_fan · 07-11-2014, 08:36 AM

I think it is worth a 1-2 year deal in the $1-2M range if he is willing to do it.

Since it is July 11th already he might.

We have cap space and available contracts. Sometimes you need to take a gamble on someone, and hope that it works out. This would be a good experiment.