Prospect Info: 2013-2014 Rangers Prospects Thread *Part III* (Player Stats in Post #1; Updated 4/8)

[nyr2k2]

Obviously jt miller is the closest to nhl level but who else could challenge for a full time spot on the roster next year? I don't get to watch the ahl games. Any one that does know how oscar lindberg and Jesper fast are doing? I found it extremely interesting that fast made camp and played for 8 games then never was called up again. What happened that jt miller then over came him for call ups?

Shortly after Fast was sent back down, he injured himself and missed a few weeks. That's why he's only played in 48 AHL games. It provided an opening for Miller. I think it's also a reflection of the fact that the Rangers regard Miller very highly, despite any comments from AV. They probably think he's the most NHL-ready in the system.

Lindberg has also been very good. He makes the little plays, and doesn't make many mistakes. He's not terribly flashy, but just does a good job overall at both ends of the ice. I think he starts in the AHL next season, gets a cup of coffee early, and then establishes himself by the end of the season. That's my timeline for him. I guess a lot depends on what the Rangers do with all their UFA's and RFA's over the summer.

Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath could both push for spots. They've both had very good seasons. Both also fill needs. Again, I think it depends on what kinds of openings we have on the roster heading into camp.

Danny Kristo just doesn't impress me. Still strikes me as a perimeter player who will struggle at the NHL level.

If Bourque is back and there's an opening on the fourth line for a speedy PK specialist, he'd probably get a long look.

Haggerty is a potential wild card. Duclair has an outside shot. I don't think he's close to ready, but you never know.

 

[eco's bones]

Shortly after Fast was sent back down, he injured himself and missed a few weeks. That's why he's only played in 48 AHL games. It provided an opening for Miller. I think it's also a reflection of the fact that the Rangers regard Miller very highly, despite any comments from AV. They probably think he's the most NHL-ready in the system.

Lindberg has also been very good. He makes the little plays, and doesn't make many mistakes. He's not terribly flashy, but just does a good job overall at both ends of the ice. I think he starts in the AHL next season, gets a cup of coffee early, and then establishes himself by the end of the season. That's my timeline for him. I guess a lot depends on what the Rangers do with all their UFA's and RFA's over the summer.

Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath could both push for spots. They've both had very good seasons. Both also fill needs. Again, I think it depends on what kinds of openings we have on the roster heading into camp.

Danny Kristo just doesn't impress me. Still strikes me as a perimeter player who will struggle at the NHL level.

If Bourque is back and there's an opening on the fourth line for a speedy PK specialist, he'd probably get a long look.

Haggerty is a potential wild card. Duclair has an outside shot. I don't think he's close to ready, but you never know.

Pretty much spot on to what I think. Kristo hasn't shown me a lot. Didn't really want to make a big issue out of it but it really raised an eyebrow with me when Leslie put him on top of our prospect list. The other forwards you mention here I think are all better. All of them look to have more complete games.

Allen is probably ahead of McIlrath but Dylan's game seems to have gotten better as the team has gotten better. About a month and a half ago it seems he was about a -10---now he's a +3. He's added a little offense to his game and he picks his spots more when it comes to dropping the gloves.

 

[nyr2k2]

Pretty much spot on to what I think. Kristo hasn't shown me a lot. Didn't really want to make a big issue out of it but it really raised an eyebrow with me when Leslie put him on top of our prospect list. The other forwards you mention here I think are all better. All of them look to have more complete games.

Allen is probably ahead of McIlrath but Dylan's game seems to have gotten better as the team has gotten better. About a month and a half ago it seems he was about a -10---now he's a +3. He's added a little offense to his game and he picks his spots more when it comes to dropping the gloves.

The organization must have had a conversation with McIlrath about staying out of the box while he learns the professional game. Through the end of November, he had 111 PIM in just 21 games (5.29 per game). Since then, he has just 47 in 36 games (1.3 per game). Just three fights.

During that same time, he has taken less chances offensively--he was pinching quite a bit earlier in the season--and simplified his game a bit. He's +12 since the end of January. I think he's finally settling in and learning how to be most effective playing his game. Whether he can translate that to the NHL remains to be seen, but I like what he's done with his overall game throughout this season.

 

[Trxjw]

Agreed. I think McIlrath has made a very positive jump forward in the second half. He came out like gangbusters in the first few months, trying to do everything to make up for lost time. I can see him getting a look in December and sticking.

Still, Allen will beat him to the NHL. He's as close to ready right now as he could possibly get, and if we were out of a playoff spot I have no doubt he'd be seeing NHL ice. If he makes the squad out of camp, I'll be curious to see what that spells for John Moore.

 

[NYR Viper]

The organization must have had a conversation with McIlrath about staying out of the box while he learns the professional game. Through the end of November, he had 111 PIM in just 21 games (5.29 per game). Since then, he has just 47 in 36 games (1.3 per game). Just three fights.

During that same time, he has taken less chances offensively--he was pinching quite a bit earlier in the season--and simplified his game a bit. He's +12 since the end of January. I think he's finally settling in and learning how to be most effective playing his game. Whether he can translate that to the NHL remains to be seen, but I like what he's done with his overall game throughout this season.

I expect the same thing when he comes into the NHL. Guys have to create a presence. They fight anyone and everyone for a little bit until players start to give them that respect and then they no longer have to fight as much as players give them more respect. Chara, Weber, Lucic. They all did the same. It's more the potential of getting your ass kicked that scares players off.

Clarke spoke about that as well when McIlrath started in the AHL. Everyone came calling. He answered and then people started to leave him alone as they saw he wasn't going to be intimidated or step down.

 

[eco's bones]

I expect the same thing when he comes into the NHL. Guys have to create a presence. They fight anyone and everyone for a little bit until players start to give them that respect and then they no longer have to fight as much as players give them more respect. Chara, Weber, Lucic. They all did the same. It's more the potential of getting your ass kicked that scares players off.

Clarke spoke about that as well when McIlrath started in the AHL. Everyone came calling. He answered and then people started to leave him alone as they saw he wasn't going to be intimidated or step down.

Those guys fight very well but they don't fight a lot. The threat is there. Chara and Weber are elite players. Lucic is a very good and a unique player. I'm not very sure that McIlrath is going to reach the level of player they've become. I do think he has the potential to be a top 4 NHL d-man some day and could be as unique in his own way as Lucic is right now for the Bruins. Barring major injury he will eventually be an NHL regular--just too much size and toughness and he has enough skating.

 

[NYR Viper]

Those guys fight very well but they don't fight a lot. The threat is there. Chara and Weber are elite players. Lucic is a very good and a unique player. I'm not very sure that McIlrath is going to reach the level of player they've become. I do think he has the potential to be a top 4 NHL d-man some day and could be as unique in his own way as Lucic is right now for the Bruins. Barring major injury he will eventually be an NHL regular--just too much size and toughness and he has enough skating.

I think that if he becomes a top-4 defensive d-man that's a success. Not many guys in the NHL that can play the game and intimidate like he will be able to. I was just using them as examples.

 

[nyr2k2]

Those guys fight very well but they don't fight a lot. The threat is there. Chara and Weber are elite players. Lucic is a very good and a unique player. I'm not very sure that McIlrath is going to reach the level of player they've become. I do think he has the potential to be a top 4 NHL d-man some day and could be as unique in his own way as Lucic is right now for the Bruins. Barring major injury he will eventually be an NHL regular--just too much size and toughness and he has enough skating.

His overall skating ability--including his balance and edge work--are not great. However, I think they're good enough to be a successful player. I don't see any flaws that would prevent him from eventually settling into a second pair role, killing penalties while playing 18+ minutes per night. He's not there yet, but if his game continues to progress I think he'll get there.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

What lack of goaltending? Lundqvist is a superstar and Talbot is a tremendous backup, which I am basing not just on his NHL play, but watching him for years in the AHL as well. If Lundqvist gets injured, Talbot is more than capable of playing every game for a long time (he played something like 30 games in a row in Hartford last season) while someone like Grumet-Morris will be the backup sitting and watching. If Lundqvist is out for such a long time that we need another goalie, then we can acquire a backup for a 3rd or 4th rounder to play once a month. Or we can sign someone like Bryzgalov who is looking for NHL work.

We have no goalie problem. But if we did, Malcolm would not be the solution. He's significantly worse than Grumet-Morris, who'd be a far better option to start in the NHL.

Talbot is also a UFA after next year. We do need some more depth sooner or later.

 

[nyr2k2]

Talbot is also a UFA after next year. We do need some more depth sooner or later.

Yup. If Cam plays well next season, you gotta figure he'll look to go elsewhere for 2015-2016.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Yup. If Cam plays well next season, you gotta figure he'll look to go elsewhere for 2015-2016.

I mean, I hope we re-sign him but I wouldn't blame him. Hopefully the market is horrible that year and we can keep him around.

 

[NYR Viper]

I mean, I hope we re-sign him but I wouldn't blame him. Hopefully the market is horrible that year and we can keep him around.

I say offer him an extension this off-season.

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

I say offer him an extension this off-season.

If we can't get him to sign an extension do you think we try to move him? If we do what do we get back? I think we will be either very active at the draft or a ghost town as far as trades go between talbot and staal.

 

[eco's bones]

His overall skating ability--including his balance and edge work--are not great. However, I think they're good enough to be a successful player. I don't see any flaws that would prevent him from eventually settling into a second pair role, killing penalties while playing 18+ minutes per night. He's not there yet, but if his game continues to progress I think he'll get there.

He didn't get much ice time when he was up for his two games this year. He didn't play with much confidence. He handled the puck like it was a live hand grenade. Allen was a lot smoother.

I agree with the balance and edge work--needing work but maybe a larger issue is the confidence that he can play at the NHL level. Definitely a player I think that is going to need time and patience. Defiinitely a player that I think is going to make a number of ****ed up plays and that the Rangers and the fans are going to have to give some slack to.

 

[Bardof425*]

Those guys fight very well but they don't fight a lot. The threat is there. Chara and Weber are elite players. Lucic is a very good and a unique player. I'm not very sure that McIlrath is going to reach the level of player they've become. I do think he has the potential to be a top 4 NHL d-man some day and could be as unique in his own way as Lucic is right now for the Bruins. Barring major injury he will eventually be an NHL regular--just too much size and toughness and he has enough skating.

Nobody is but few thought Chara would turn out to be Chara. Next year is his time. He is borderline ready now and we need the toughness. They need to determine their signings in the offseason with the idea that Dylan will be in the top 7 next October.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

If we can't get him to sign an extension do you think we try to move him? If we do what do we get back? I think we will be either very active at the draft or a ghost town as far as trades go between talbot and staal.

Why would we move him? We wouldn't get much value for him and I'd rather have him as a back-up on our contending team.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I say offer him an extension this off-season.

Agreed. I'd offer him 950K over two years. Maybe even a bit over 1M.

 

[Joey Bones]

Agreed on Talbot. Sign him to like a $900k-$1M deal for two years.

Does anyone think that Hrivik can push for a roster spot next year? I still think he has some upside besides his terribly bad offensive production this year.

 

[eco's bones]

Agreed on Talbot. Sign him to like a $900k-$1M deal for two years.

Does anyone think that Hrivik can push for a roster spot next year? I still think he has some upside besides his terribly bad offensive production this year.

Talbot can do better than that.

No on Hrivik. First healthy full season has been disappointing. What's more apart from the playoffs he had as an ATO he's not been much of a goal scorer. 18 regular season goals in 117 AHL games. Who is he going to push out of a job? Much rather go with grinding, physical players to do 4th line work. He needs to be more productive at the AHL level to be taken more seriously.

 

[nikonsniper*]

Agreed. I'd offer him 950K over two years. Maybe even a bit over 1M.

I'd love it, but I don't think Talbot takes that. i think his floor is around 1.5m this offseason. 2.0+ if he repeats this season and we wait till after then to sign him.

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

Talbot can do better than that.

No on Hrivik. First healthy full season has been disappointing. What's more apart from the playoffs he had as an ATO he's not been much of a goal scorer. 18 regular season goals in 117 AHL games. Who is he going to push out of a job? Much rather go with grinding, physical players to do 4th line work. He needs to be more productive at the AHL level to be taken more seriously.

But he did have tht nasty shoot out move... Doesn't nasty shoot out moves equal superstar?

 

[Joey Bones]

Talbot can do better than that.

No on Hrivik. First healthy full season has been disappointing. What's more apart from the playoffs he had as an ATO he's not been much of a goal scorer. 18 regular season goals in 117 AHL games. Who is he going to push out of a job? Much rather go with grinding, physical players to do 4th line work. He needs to be more productive at the AHL level to be taken more seriously.

You're probably right on Talbot, he'd definitely find better. As for Hrivik, he's got another year yet to prove otherwise. I realize he's had a very underwhelming year, but I think if he was given the same shoes he had to work for a contract, he might produce and progress again. He very might well be done in his development, though. We'll wait and see.

 

[nyr2k2]

Troy Donnay's great season continues. He scored what proved to be the game winner last night to put Erie up 3-0 over Sault Ste. Marie.

 

[UAGoalieGuy]

Didn't realize how tall Donnay is. Gotta beef up a bit if he is still 185lbs.

Has anyone watched him play a bit this year? How's his skating/balance? How's his puck movement/shot?

 

[nyr2k2]

Didn't realize how tall Donnay is. Gotta beef up a bit if he is still 185lbs.

Has anyone watched him play a bit this year? How's his skating/balance? How's his puck movement/shot?

Other than being a stick, one knock on him was his skating. From reading what Erie fans have had to say about him this year, it sounds like he has come along way in that regard. He also seems to have become a little more physical and developed a bit of a mean streak. "Most Improved Player" is a something that seems to be pretty frequently associated with him. His shot is fine, pretty heavy as you'd expect from a guy that big. It's not quick though, and he's not much of a passer. That's not going to be his game. I've only seen him a handful of times this year (and really I just wanted to see McDavid and the kid Washington drafted), so take my scouting for what it's worth.

His last draft year, he was ranked like 110th or something among North American skaters (EDIT: 122nd in 2012). So, he was considered by many to be a mid-to-late round project pick. "You can't teach 6'7"," as they say. If he continues to fill out (he was listed at 170 when we signed him), then he has a decent chance to make it as a bottom pairing defender.

It's unclear, to me anyway, as to whether he'll go pro next year or head back to Erie for an over-age season.