Dylan McIlrath

33-Year-Old DefensemanD
2025 Fantasy Outlook
McIlrath hardly saw any NHL time despite being with the Capitals for nearly all of the 2024-25 campaign. He earned two points with a minus-3 rating, 28 PIM and 38 hits over 17 appearances before sitting out all of Washington's playoff run. McIlrath still managed to turn that performance into a two-year extension in March. He can be a leader with a minor-league club or an easy plug-and-play option as a seventh defenseman in the NHL. He won't play much, but he can be a streaming option for hits and PIM if playing time opens up. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract extension with the Capitals in March of 2025.
Back from IR
DWashington Capitals
October 19, 2025
McIlrath (lower body) was activated off injured reserve by the Capitals on Sunday, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.
ANALYSIS
McIlrath has not suited up for a game yet this season while recovering from an injury suffered in the preseason. It's a good sign to see him activated, though he isn't in action for Sunday's game against the Canucks. Whether he sticks in the NHL, where he spent much of last season as a healthy scratch, or gets sent back to the AHL remains to be seen. The 33-year-old appeared in just 17 games last season, recording two assists.
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2025–26 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    14:05
  • Average Power Play TOI:
    0:00
  • Average Short-Handed TOI:
    0:30
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2023–24
10:18
0:00
0:00
2024–25
11:39
0:03
0:10
2025–26
14:05
0:00
0:30
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Dylan McIlrath See More
November 20, 2016
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Dylan McIlrath See More
Past Fantasy Outlooks
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2010
The Red Wings acquired the burly 6-foot-5, 236-pound McIlrath in at trade with Florida back in March of 2017. He hasn't dressed for a single game at the highest level since the swap, which renders the first-round pick (2010) useless in fantasy games.
McIlrath's career with the Rangers organization is seemingly at a crossroads heading into the fall. Former GM Glen Sather was widely criticized for using a first-round pick (10th overall in 2010) to select McIlrath, who registered career highs in goals (six), assists (11), and PIM (165) in his second season with AHL Hartford last season. However, McIlrath has several long-term commitments ahead of him on the Rangers' blue line depth chart, making his ascent to the NHL a difficult one. Sure, its plausible McIlrath makes the team due to injury or as the seventh defenseman to prevent the team from having to place him on waivers, but he's far from fantasy worthy at this time. The 23-year-old still has some growing to do and could subsequently find greener pastures in another NHL city, but he's unlikely to ever provide much notable fantasy value.
If you're looking for points from the blue line, look elsewhere as McIlrath's 17 points with AHL Hartford pale in comparison to his 165 penalty minutes in just 62 games played. Ever since McIlrath was taken 10th overall in the 2010 entry draft, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Manitoba native has been labeled the heir apparent to Jeff Bukeboom. With right-handed Swede Anton Stralman headed to Tampa Bay, McIlrath, who played in two games with the parent club last year, was considered to be a system replacement. The free-agent signing of Dan Boyle quickly softened those chances. At this point, McIlrath is certainly a viable option for the team's seventh defenseman, or still could end up in the top three pairs if the team decides to move Dan Boyle to the wing. Otherwise, plan for McIlrath to start the season in Hartford.
McIlrath, the Rangers' first round (10th overall) pick in the 2010 entry draft got his feet wet at the AHL level this past season, registering a plus-6 with five assists and 125 penalty minutes through 45 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2012-13. Obviously, the organization is logged jammed with defensemen at the NHL level, so unless the Rangers' need to beef up their defensive pairings, the 6'5, 215-pound Manitoba product is not likely to receive a call up. Although he showed good offensive vision with the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), should he come to the big league, keeper league owners should only consider the 21-year-old McIlrath's future services for penalty minutes and plus/minus ratings.
Known for his fighting ability and nicknamed, "The Undertaker," McIlrath was selected 10th overall in the 2010 entry draft. The 20-year-old was added to the Rangers' playoff roster last season, so it's very possible that he'll get a look with the big club this year. He'll more than likely spend some time with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL, but he's worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues that count penalty minutes.
McIlrath, who was the Rangers No. 1 draft choice in 2010, projects as a crease-clearing defensemen that every team needs. In offseason developmental camp, he impressed and will be given a long look in training camp. Unless he has a great camp and some other roster hopefuls fail to latch on, McIlrath is likely to spend next season in the minors.
Rangers brass had toughness on their minds when they selected McIlrath with the 10th pick of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Once this jarring defender becomes a bit more graceful on his feet, the Big Apple will feature a true enforcer in McIlrath. Keep an eye on him as he crushes opponents in his path to the majors.
More Fantasy News
Cleared for contact
DWashington Capitals
Lower Body
October 10, 2025
McIlrath (lower body) was cleared for contact in practice Friday, Sammi Silber of The Hockey News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Surfaces on IR
DWashington Capitals
Lower Body
October 6, 2025
McIlrath (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Monday.
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Exits Saturday's game
DWashington Capitals
Lower Body
October 4, 2025
McIlrath won't return to Saturday's preseason game against Columbus after sustaining a lower-body injury.
ANALYSIS
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Secures two-year extension
DWashington Capitals
March 27, 2025
McIlrath agreed to terms on a two-year, $1.6 million contract extension with Washington on Thursday.
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Stuck as healthy scratch
DWashington Capitals
March 13, 2025
McIlrath was scratched for the 32nd game in a row in Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Kings.
ANALYSIS
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