Prospect Info: 2013-2014 Rangers Prospects Thread *Part II* (Player Stats in Post #1; Updated 1/31)

[GAGLine]

I said this at the time and I will say this again: 80 points, particularly with good linemates, isn't very much in juniors. This is especially so for players who are big and can just dominate skinny little boys to run up points, something they won't be able to do at any pro level, even the ECHL.

It wasn't just fans that were drooling over Grachev. The scouts were too. He spent 2 years in the THN's future watch top 50. He's was 19th overall in 2009 and 21st overall in 2010.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I said this at the time and I will say this again: 80 points, particularly with good linemates, isn't very much in juniors. This is especially so for players who are big and can just dominate skinny little boys to run up points, something they won't be able to do at any pro level, even the ECHL.

The difference between Kreider and Grachev is that Kreider is just better at everything. He's stronger, he's much faster, he has a significantly better shot. Reduce Kreider's speed and shot power by a little and what do you have? A minor leaguer.

Kreider also spent 3 years in college, while Grachev moved straight to the pros as a teenager. Not only that, but he expected and was expected by others to make the team right away. When he was sent down to the AHL, Grachev thought he was too good for it. Had he stayed in juniors and improved by playing against kids, he'd have been better off today. For a bigger kid like him, college might have been the best option, which is the route Kreider took.

But either way, Kreider was always a superior prospect to Grachev due to his size, speed and shot.

Completely disagree. You have a decent 3rd liner IMO. Not like his shot has been lighting the world on fire and his speed is ridiculous, reducing it by a little wouldn't make him slow. Also he'd still have good physicality and passing. I don't see why he couldn't be a good 3rd liner.

 

[Bluenote13]

JVR's younger brother Trevor plays at UNH. He's probably the most coveted puck-moving defenseman coming out as a college free agent. Plays the right side, too!

Oksanen at 6'3 200 and Shayne Taker at 6'4 are nice lefties who can move the puck. CJ Ludwig is a 6'0 195 RH Dman, Captain of Northern Michigan, offensive upside.

Carey, Ryan Walters, Ryan Haggerty, Mark Zengerle and Brock Higgs are interesting FA College forwards.

 

[Joey Bones]

Oksanen at 6'3 200 and Shayne Taker at 6'4 are nice lefties who can move the puck. CJ Ludwig is a 6'0 195 RH Dman, Captain of Northern Michigan, offensive upside.

Carey, Ryan Walters, Ryan Haggerty, Mark Zengerle and Brock Higgs are interesting FA College forwards.

BN I'm glad you mentioned him. He is looking really solid for BU this year. Definitely worth noting!!
http://www.goterriers.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/ahti_oksanen_822416.html
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=56595

Also a name worth mentioning is Latvian Ralfs Freibergs from Bowling Green State. Has been stellar for them IMO and will be playing for Latvia in the Olympics.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=28754

 

[pld459666]

Oksanen at 6'3 200 and Shayne Taker at 6'4 are nice lefties who can move the puck. CJ Ludwig is a 6'0 195 RH Dman, Captain of Northern Michigan, offensive upside.

Carey, Ryan Walters, Ryan Haggerty, Mark Zengerle and Brock Higgs are interesting FA College forwards.

I work with Haggerty's aunt. Been keeping tabs on the kid for a few years.

Seems like a hard worker and dedicated to making the NHL.

Local kid from Connecticut.

Would be a nice add to Hartford at least.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I said this at the time and I will say this again: 80 points, particularly with good linemates, isn't very much in juniors.

That's simply incorrect. He was top 15 in scoring and the guys above him were not very far above him points-wise. This as an 18 year old during his first season in juniors.

In 2008-2009, 80 points was a big deal in the OHL. It's changed a bit now, but that was a very, very good point total then.

 

[ArPanet]

Ok I hated the McIlrath pick. My reasoning was, his upside placed him in the 2nd tier for value. In today's dollars a fully realized McIlrath is at best a 4-5 million dollar asset. Whatever his defensive upside, he's never going to be in the Doughty, Weber, Subban strata and therefore he isn't a 1st pairing defenseman. Meanwhile, at the time of the pick his skating was characterized as poor and, other than at full speed straight ahead which is reasonable for a guy his size, his skating looks poor to me.

Problem with McIlrath for me now is, from the preseason game where anybody should have been able to see he was getting sent down immediately after the game, until he got sent down again, he had made no progress. Astoundingly bad stepping up decisions, getting smoked in turn and burn situations, flopping behind the net when getting blown by, didn't seem very encouraging to me. His fight with McGrattan was admirable as is his willingness to go with anybody. Does he have the punching power of the best in class? I haven't seen it; if you have video of him ko'ing a guy, or making a bloody mess out of someone, I'd be happy to revise this part of my opinion.

Ok then, since all I said in my post was basically, McIlrath won't be "ready" at the start of next season, we will know soon if McIlrath how that turns out. I'll remember this discussion. Meanwhile, I've yet to see anything that makes me confident McIlrath will turn out better than Engelland. Bringing in Engelland, playing him only against teams with guys like Matt Martin and David Backes either as a 4th liner or 7th defender, wouldn't kill me.

 

[SergeConstantin74]

REMPARTS’ ANTHONY DUCLAIR NAMED CHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that New York Rangers prospect Anthony Duclair is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending January 26 after scoring five goals and three assists for eight points in three games with a plus-minus rating of plus-3.

Duclair led the Remparts to three victories on the road last week giving the club nine wins in their past 10 games including a season-high six game winning-streak that has helped boost them into fourth place in the QMJHL standings with 66 points. He opened the week on Thursday night with a four-point performance that included a hat-trick capped off with his 40th goal of the season claiming first star honours in a 6-2 win over the Gatineau Olympiques. On Saturday night he scored twice including the game-winner for the second straight game and also added an assist in an 8-5 win over the Val’d’Or Foreurs. His week wrapped up on Sunday with an assist in the Remparts’ 3-0 win over the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

http://chl.ca/article/remparts-anthony-duclair-named-chl-player-of-the-week

 

[SergeConstantin74]

Duclair rapidly coming close to 50 goals

Over the weekend only, Duclair scored five goals , including scoring his third hat trick of the season in Gatineau, Thursday, which allowed him to become the first QMJHL player to accumulate 40 goals . He added two goals in Val-d'Or, Saturday. In both games, he was credited with the winning goal.

It was the ninth and tenth games with two goals or more this season for the New York Rangers prospect. He also picked up an assist in each game of the weekend , including one on Sunday in Rouyn-Noranda. A production that earned him the first star of the week in both the QMJHL and the CHL.

"When he plays like that , it's complicated to stop him. This year, he has been consistent game after game. He went through so many emotions , especially when he signed his contract. There was a small drop in production after, nothing major , but when he plays like that, he's really dangerous. He distributes hits, he skates hard, he uses his speed. He does not need to be behind the defenders to get on a breakaway. He can come from far and have chances to score anyway", analyzed the Remparts head coach Philippe Boucher, after the dominant performance of his player in Gatineau on Thursday.

"So far, things are going well for me, but it's good for the team too. I just want to continue on this path. I want to get to 50 goals as soon as possible . But it will not be easy with our upcoming games being against top ranked teams", suggested Duclair , who's convinced he will not beat his personal record of 81 goals achieved in his second year in peewee .

If he manages to reach 50 goals by the end of the season, Duclair will join a select club of five players who achieved the feat in the history of new Remparts (1997). They are Alexander Radulov (61, 2005-2006), Eric Chouinard ( 57 and 50 in 1999-2000 and 1998-1999), Brent Aubin (51, 2006-2007), Simon Gagne (50 , 1998-1999) and David Massé (50, 2002-2003).

"When you look at the players who have scored 50 goals in the history of the Remparts , it would be an honor to see myself in the same group as those who have achieved it with this organization", concluded Tony-D.

http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/sp...yberpresse_B20_manchette_1607534_section_POS1

 

[Green Blob*]

DuClair is going to be an animal! LOVE THIS KID

 

[Beacon]

If either Duclair or Buch becomes a top-6 LW, our left side is going to be set for a decade to come, with Kreider and Hagelin as the other two top-9 LWs. Someone like Hrivik or Yogan would close things out on the bottom line.

I really hope we swing for the fences with high-risk, high-return Right Wings in rounds 2, 3 and/or 4 this draft, assuming the scouts see something worth swinging for. Our 2014 draftees will be only 22 when Nash's contract runs out, and finding a RW who can play on the top-6 would mean a lot to the team.

I think the middle, with Step, Brass, Miller, Lindberg, MSC and Tamb is fairly strong, but the RW remains a weak spot. Thank God we didn't give up on MZA!

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

If either Duclair or Buch becomes a top-6 LW, our left side is going to be set for a decade to come, with Kreider and Hagelin as the other two top-9 LWs. Someone like Hrivik or Yogan would close things out on the bottom line.

I really hope we swing for the fences with high-risk, high-return Right Wings in rounds 2, 3 and/or 4 this draft, assuming the scouts see something worth swinging for. Our 2014 draftees will be only 22 when Nash's contract runs out, and finding a RW who can play on the top-6 would mean a lot to the team.

I think the middle, with Step, Brass, Miller, Lindberg, MSC and Tamb is fairly strong, but the RW remains a weak spot. Thank God we didn't give up on MZA!

No - we need centers. We lack a true 1C, centers can always move to wing and I would argue that our RW depth is actually pretty good. In fact, I think it's the strongest of the three forward positions organization-wide.

Consider, here is our depth at each position (assumes Richards is bought out, Pouliot, Carcillo, Boyle and Moore sign UFA deals elsewhere, but Cally, MZA and Brassard all re-sign - which is what I consider to be the likeliest scenario, despite the fact that I am firmly in the "trade Callahan" camp):

RW:
Nash (top 6 level)
Zuccarello (top 6 level)
Callahan (top 6 level)
Dorsett (bottom 6 level)
Fast (top 6 level potential)
Kristo (top 6 level potential)

LW
Kreider (top 6 level)
Hagelin (middle 6 level)
Duclair (top 6 level potential)
Buchnevich (top 6 level potential)
Hrivik (bottom 6 level potential)
Yogan (bottom 6 level potential)

Center:
Stepan (top 6 level)
Brassard (middle 6 level)
Miller (middle 6 level potential)
Lindberg (middle 6 level potential)
Tambellini (top 6 level potential)
Nieves (middle 6 level potential)

That first group is a lot stronger than the other two. In fact, I would argue that it is the strongest of the three even if they move Callahan.

 

[Beacon]

Whoever we draft this summer in the 2-4 round won't be ready for 5+ seasons. Even if he makes it at the age of 21 before Nash's contract expires, he won't hit his stride until he is 22-23 at the earliest. That's after Nash is gone. Cally, even if resigned, doesn't get more than 4-5 years, and if he does, he certainly does not play in the top-6 in his mid-30s.

So we have only MZA as a top-6 RW. Maybe Fast or Kristo make it into the top-6, but picking up a couple high-risk, high-return kids won't hurt. I mean, fine, I am not opposed to getting another MSc type center in the middle rounds, but get a couple offensive RWs too.

First round make sure it's going to be an NHL player, then swing for the fences in round 2-4, then pick up a couple of big defensemen like Noreau and a goalie like Skapski in the later rounds.

 

[hockey365]

No - we need centers. We lack a true 1C, centers can always move to wing and I would argue that our RW depth is actually pretty good. In fact, I think it's the strongest of the three forward positions organization-wide.

Consider, here is our depth at each position (assumes Richards is bought out, Pouliot, Carcillo, Boyle and Moore sign UFA deals elsewhere, but Cally, MZA and Brassard all re-sign - which is what I consider to be the likeliest scenario, despite the fact that I am firmly in the "trade Callahan" camp):

RW:
Nash (top 6 level)
Zuccarello (top 6 level)
Callahan (top 6 level)
Dorsett (bottom 6 level)
Fast (top 6 level potential)
Kristo (top 6 level potential)

LW
Kreider (top 6 level)
Hagelin (middle 6 level)
Duclair (top 6 level potential)
Buchnevich (top 6 level potential)
Hrivik (bottom 6 level potential)
Yogan (bottom 6 level potential)

Center:
Stepan (top 6 level)
Brassard (middle 6 level)
Miller (middle 6 level potential)
Lindberg (middle 6 level potential)
Tambellini (top 6 level potential)
Nieves (middle 6 level potential)

That first group is a lot stronger than the other two. In fact, I would argue that it is the strongest of the three even if they move Callahan.

Just a FYI, Duclair plays RW as well. His dominant side is LW, but right now with Qc Remparts, he plays RW.

Even when he play LW, he ends up cutting in the middle to speed ahead on the RW. So, NYR will be well served with Duclair. Congrats!

 

[hockey365]

DuClair is going to be an animal! LOVE THIS KID

He's slowly but surely coming to his own. He'll need another year in the Q and maybe half a season to a full season in the AHL, then, he sould be ready. Just hope the NYR will remain patient with him, although he's doing very well and should continue on this path.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Just a FYI, Duclair plays RW as well. His dominant side is LW, but right now with Qc Remparts, he plays RW.

Even when he play LW, he ends up cutting in the middle to speed ahead on the RW. So, NYR will be well served with Duclair. Congrats!

Did that change midseason? I could swear I've seen tons of highlights with him coming down the left side on the attack.

 

[hockey365]

Did that change midseason? I could swear I've seen tons of highlights with him coming down the left side on the attack.

He started the year at center, that didn't last. He went back to his dominant LW, then, around end of Nov start of Dec, he was moved to the RW.

Herzog - Etchegary - Duclair. That's his line since Grigorenko came back. He also had
Archambault - Etchegary - Duclair, when Sorensen, Erne and Herzog were at WJC.

Here are his 2 goals Vs Rimouski, for which he prefers going to the net from the right side:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtYuX1F8-7Y

 

[NYR Viper]

The Rangers should take BPA no matter what in all rounds. I don't care where the player plays, just take BPA.

 

[Bluenote13]

The Rangers should take BPA no matter what in all rounds. I don't care where the player plays, just take BPA.

BPA absolutely. But if we go defensive dman or goalie in round one this year I'll freak the **** out

We still need Centermen. Depth up the middle is still too thin.

REally excited about Duclair but I'm tempering my expectations just a bit, still early in his career as a prospect. Btw, is it me or does he carry a very long stick for a forward ?

 

[NYR Viper]

BPA absolutely. But if we go defensive dman or goalie in round one this year I'll freak the **** out

We still need Centermen. Depth up the middle is still too thin.

REally excited about Duclair but I'm tempering my expectations just a bit, still early in his career as a prospect. Btw, is it me or does he carry a very long stick for a forward ?

Eh, if there is a defensive d-man available who they have much higher than everyone else I'm good with it. By the time he is most likely ready, there could be holes on the blue-line that need filling.

They need to select a couple of offensive d-men though. They also need to select some players with size and some truculence to their game.

 

[Ail]

BPA sure but if the difference between taking a high upside C and a BPA shutdown defensemen is 2-3 spots, they should take the C.

They need to find a 1C and the only choices are draft one or pay someone else a king's ransom for theirs.

 

[Bluenote13]

Eh, if there is a defensive d-man available who they have much higher than everyone else I'm good with it. By the time he is most likely ready, there could be holes on the blue-line that need filling.

They need to select a couple of offensive d-men though. They also need to select some players with size and some truculence to their game.

We lack those things, badly. Defensive dmen come cheaper on the open market. It's harder to find capable offensive and physical threats upfront. I don't see too many defensive dmen in the 20-30 range for 2014. Alex Peters is 6'3, LH Dman playing for Plymouth OHL. Aaron Haydon is a defensive dman, 6'2, RH playing for Niagara of the OHL. Two guys I like in round 2.

 

[NYR Viper]

We lack those things, badly. Defensive dmen come cheaper on the open market. It's harder to find capable offensive and physical threats upfront. I don't see too many defensive dmen in the 20-30 range for 2014. Alex Peters is 6'3, LH Dman playing for Plymouth OHL. Aaron Haydon is a defensive dman, 6'2, RH playing for Niagara of the OHL. Two guys I like in round 2.

I'm hoping the Rangers find a way to add a couple more picks in the 1st or 2nd round. They need to restock their system.

 

[Bluenote13]

I'm hoping the Rangers find a way to add a couple more picks in the 1st or 2nd round. They need to restock their system.

I think I've said that before every draft

If anything I see us dealing picks at the deadline instead of stocking up on them.

But if im trying to secure more draft picks, it'd be for 2015

 

[NYR Viper]

I think I've said that before every draft

If anything I see us dealing picks at the deadline instead of stocking up on them.

But if im trying to secure more draft picks, it'd be for 2015

At this point, I just want them to stockpile picks in any draft. Enough of this dealing picks away.