For a player once considered a promising first-round pick, things didn’t go as expected in the early years of his NHL career. After being selected by the New York Rangers in the first round of the 2010 NHL Draft, his path took a series of unexpected twists, leading to a role far different from what was originally anticipated.
Over a decade later, this player has found a new home with the Washington Capitals, signing a two-year, $1.6 million contract on Thursday. The 32-year-old has managed to carve out a place as a depth piece for the Capitals, who are currently the top team in the Metropolitan Division.
The player in question is Dylan McIlrath. After his time with the Rangers, McIlrath joined the Capitals’ organization in 2021 and has spent much of the time since playing with their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. He was a key part of Hershey’s back-to-back Calder Cup championships, serving as captain in both of those successful seasons.
This season, McIlrath has played in 11 games with the Capitals but hasn’t seen action since December 23. He stepped in for the injured Matt Roy early in the season, playing well for a stretch, but has been a healthy scratch for most of the season. Despite his limited appearances, McIlrath has remained on Washington’s active roster throughout the year. His signing comes shortly after the Capitals extended star defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year, $72 million contract, further adding depth to their blueline.
McIlrath’s story serves as a reminder of how careers can evolve, even for highly-touted players who may not reach their full potential with one team. Though his career in New York didn’t go as planned, McIlrath has found a way to stay in the NHL, contributing to one of the league’s best teams today.
