It's easy to see how the situation could be overwhelming for the rookie.
It's one thing to play in the NHL at 19. Another to be a 19-year-old defenceman in the league.
And something all-together different to be a 19-year-old defenceman in the league, playing in New York City.
Yet none of that seems to have phased Michael Del Zotto, who has been one of the most impressive rookies in the league so far this season.
"It's all been happening so quick, I haven't had a chance to look back on it all and really reflect on all of it," Del Zotto said prior to last night's contest against the Edmonton Oilers.
"To be honest, my goal coming into the season was to make the team. I wanted to show well for myself.
"My dream was to play in the NHL, but things have been happening so quick, I've been playing so many games. I've been so busy, I'm just trying to take it a day at a time.
"It's a new experience every day and I'm just enjoying it right now."
With four goals and eight assists, Del Zotto went into last night's game tied for third in scoring on the Rangers behind Marian Gaborik and Vinny Prospal.
The Rangers' first pick -- 20th overall -- in last summer's NHL Entry Draft went into the night second in rookie scoring.
A native of Stouffville, Ont., Del Zotto had 63 points in 62 games with the Oshawa Generals and London Knights last season.
"A lot of people know about his offensive capabilities, but he's been as good as any of our players defensively, reading the rush, reading the depth of the rush," said Rangers assistant coach Jim Schoenfeld.
"Michael hasn't made many mistakes. He's very good at separating his check from the puck.
"You wouldn't think he's a great body-checker, because he's not a big guy, but he knows how to get enough of a piece of the opponent to separate him from the puck and once he gets the puck, he sees the ice well enough to move it out of harm's way."
