McIlrath was sent down yesterday but with Dylan Larkin questionable and Andreas Athanasiou still out, the Red Wings may have to dress McIlrath as the seventh defenseman on Thursday.

McIlrath has failed to record a point in 16 games with the Red Wings this season. With McIlrath and Dennis Cholowski going back to Grand Rapids, Jonathan Ericsson and Alex Biega will play on Thursday.

McIlrath has spent the last two and a half years in the Red Wings organization, playing just seven NHL games and 149 AHL games. The physical defenseman had one goal, nine assists (10 points) and 98 PIMS in 52 games with Grand Rapids (AHL) this season.

McIlrath, 25, was acquired from the Panthers as a part of the Thomas Vanek trade and picked up four assists in 21 games with Grand Rapids (AHL) and another five assists in 19 playoff games in the Griffins Calder Cup run. McIlrath’s stock has fallen a long way since being drafted No.10 overall in 2010, but offers organizational depth and toughness at the AHL level.

McIlrath, 24, was the 10th overall pick in 2010 and has had a tough time elevating his game to the NHL-level. The 6-foot-5, 220 lbs. defenseman has been waived a few times this season and will likely report to Grand Rapids (AHL). McIlrath has one goal and three assists in 22 AHL games this season and five points (3G / 2A) in 43 career NHL games.

McIlrath last played on January 18th and has only appeared in five games with the Panthers this season. McIlrath heads to Springfield, where he has one goal and one assist in six games this season.

McIlrath has been a healthy scratch for the last seven games and heads to Springfield to get some games in. The former 10th overall pick has one goal in four games with the Panthers and could spend as many as two weeks in the AHL before being recalled.

McIlrath only appeared in one game this season, sitting as a healthy scratch in six games of the first seven games. McIlrath went unclaimed, so he’ll go back to Hartford, where he had 17 points (6G / 11A) in 73 games in 2014-15.

McIlrath was a healthy scratch in the first two games of the season, but with Daniel Girardi out of the lineup with a groin injury, McIlrath will step in. The 24-year-old had two goals and two assists (four points) in 34 games last year.

McIlrath, 24, had two goals and two assists in 34 regular season games and appeared in one playoff game last year. With Dan Boyle moving on from New York, McIlrath will likely have a full-time spot on the Rangers’ blueline this season.

McIlrath was a healthy scratch in the last three games, but will replace Dan Boyle tonight in the second game of a back-to-back. McIlrath has two goals and one assist in 20 games this season.

McIlrath played well in the two games he was in the lineup, but will come out for Dan Boyle tonight. McIlrath has no points and 24 PIMS in six games this season. It shouldn’t be long until McIlrath gets back into the lineup.

The Rangers like to get Dan Boyle some rest here and there, so McIlrath will get back into the lineup on the second game of the Rangers’ back-to-back.

McIlrath has been a healthy scratch in the last seven games, but he will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Capitals. With McIlrath back in the lineup, Dan Boyle will be a healthy scratch. McIlrath is not known for his offence, but he is one rugged blueliner who can be a great shutdown defender.

McIlrath will replace Dan Boyle in the Rangers’ lineup on Tuesday. The 23-year-old blueliner had six goals and 11 assists (17 points) in 73 games with Hartford (AHL) last season but has yet to record a point in three NHL games. Look for him to skate alongside Keith Yandle.