Prospect Info: 2018-2019 Rangers Prospects Thread (Stats Updated 3.1.19) *Part IV*

[Ola]

Pretty interesting comment about speed in the SHL from Virta coming from KHL. Pretty sure it’s a combination of switching to smaller ice and lesser than optimal form as Virta honestly noted about himself. From my personal viewing of games from both leagues I definitely think the overall skills from KHL prevail, ie quality of players in the KHL is higher. However, games in SHL look more dynamic with less space and less time to think and execute. Definitely more difficult if your form suffers.

The KHL is kind of like the Western Conference in the sense that teams are more ‘stretched out’. Russian Ds aren’t joining the attack much and teams defends by backing down more. You don’t benefit as much from quickly turning the play and it slows down the tempo a lot.

 

[Rempe73]

I have a question about K’Andre, since I can’t find an active thread about him. Since his PPG is higher than Makar’s was (when Makar was a freshman), and his defense is most likely better, can he be considered a better prospect than him, or do other factors need to be considered? For example, does playing for a stacked team like Wisconsin have an impact? Does he get a lot of ice time? Better deployment?

 

[Irishguy42]

Wisconsin is not a stacked team, IMO

Young and have a lot of potential though. Could be considered "stacked" in a year or two.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I have a question about K’Andre, since I can’t find an active thread about him. Since his PPG is higher than Makar’s was (when Makar was a freshman), and his defense is most likely better, can he be considered a better prospect than him, or do other factors need to be considered? For example, does playing for a stacked team like Wisconsin have an impact? Does he get a lot of ice time? Better deployment?

I wouldn’t say he’s a better prospect, but Miller might’ve taken a bigger step in his development from his D to D+1 year than Makar did

 

[Rempe73]

I wouldn’t say he’s a better prospect, but Miller might’ve taken a bigger step in his development from his D to D+1 year than Makar did

Why would he not be considered better, though?

 

[Rempe73]

Wisconsin is not a stacked team, IMO

Young and have a lot of potential though. Could be considered "stacked" in a year or two.

Oh alright, that’s good. I kept hearing how they were a talented team, though.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

Why would he not be considered better, though?

Because Makar was a better player from the start. By a solid amount too. He skates better (even when size is taken into account), is more skilled and is a smarter player.

Why is K’Andre considered better defensively. Just because he’s not labeled an offensive defenseman like Makar?

Miller is a beast, and if he hits his potential he will be a monster, but you’re comparing him to probably the best defensive prospect in the world. 11 games isn’t enough to bridge that gap.

If he keeps this up all year and tears up the WJC then it could be a different discussion though! Although I’d still take Makar.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Because Makar was a better player from the start. By a solid amount too. He skates better (even when size is taken into account), is more skilled and is a smarter player.

Why is K’Andre considered better defensively. Just because he’s not labeled an offensive defenseman like Makar?

Miller is a beast, and if he hits his potential he will be a monster, but you’re comparing him to probably the best defensive prospect in the world. 11 games isn’t enough to bridge that gap.

If he keeps this up all year and tears up the WJC then it could be a different discussion though! Although I’d still take Makar.

I had my doubts about Makar going into the 2017 draft due to him playing in the AJHL, and therefore struggling to objectively rate how impactful his performance truly was.

Makar has done great and exceeded my expectations. If Miller can have the same impact, I'd be thrilled

 

[NYRKing]

How do lundqvist and lindblom compare to the prospects we didn’t pick at these positions? Specifically sandin, veleno, alexeyev, sameullson, drury and wilde. I know Lindblom is injured but the aforementioned prospects have good numbers and a ton of praise compared to Nils.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

How do lundqvist and lindblom compare to the prospects we didn’t pick at these positions? Specifically sandin, veleno, alexeyev, sameullson, drury and wilde. I know Lindblom is injured but the aforementioned prospects have good numbers and a ton of praise compared to Nils.

The only one on that list I might take over Lundkvist is Alexeyev, but I think I still prefer Lundkvist. His numbers aren’t eye popping, but they’re like the 3rd best for an 18 year old d-man in the SHL since like 2000 or whatever the time period for that stat was

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

The only one on that list I might take over Lundkvist is Alexeyev, but I think I still prefer Lundkvist. His numbers aren’t eye popping, but they’re like the 3rd best for an 18 year old d-man in the SHL since like 2000 or whatever the time period for that stat was

Are you referring to this?

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Are you referring to this?

It is and I should’ve tagged you because I know you would’ve known/figured it out in the first place

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

It is and I should’ve tagged you because I know you would’ve known/figured it out in the first place

Hahahaha. I am just happy things like this stick.

 

[Rempe73]

Because Makar was a better player from the start. By a solid amount too. He skates better (even when size is taken into account), is more skilled and is a smarter player.

Why is K’Andre considered better defensively. Just because he’s not labeled an offensive defenseman like Makar?

Miller is a beast, and if he hits his potential he will be a monster, but you’re comparing him to probably the best defensive prospect in the world. 11 games isn’t enough to bridge that gap.

If he keeps this up all year and tears up the WJC then it could be a different discussion though! Although I’d still take Makar.

I’m not saying he should be considered better than Makar, as I like Makar very much, but I wanted to know the reasons why. And I read from some scouting reports that Makar needed to work on his defense.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I’m not saying he should be considered better than Makar, as I like Makar very much, but I wanted to know the reasons why. And I read from some scouting reports that Makar needed to work on his defense.

Sorry I didn’t respond yesterday, I didn’t have time to do a full on post about the two and I don’t really have the time right now either, but what sets Makar apart from Miller is he’s so much more dynamic offensively. They both have super high ceilings, but Makar could realistically be the next Erik Karlsson type, where Miller’s ceiling might be like a two way d who can get 50ish points

 

[ThirdEye]

Damn, I'll take that any day of the year. I think we can all agree we got a top 10, maybe even a top 5 talent with a late first rounder.

The fact that he's even being spoken about in the same sentence as Makar is enough to get me excited

Rangers are CRYING out for a home grown difference maker. Looking around the league, we're one of if not the only team that doesn't have a bonafide young stud on it.

 

[tradenashnow]

What sets Makar apart from Miller is Makar is a shrimp who has no mean streak and will get old, fast. He will have almost no ability to clear the front of the crease like Karlsson. IMO, Karlsson should not have won the Norris trophy in 2014-2015. Josi should have easily won the award. People get blinded by points and lose site of what a defenseman's first priority really is. While Miller is 6'3 with a mean streak and has the ability to be a PP guy while being a dominant force on defense. Makar was a bad pick. I don't like taking defenseman that size with top 10 picks. Never will. Maybe once in 25 years you get a Brian Leetch that proves you wrong. Otherwise, you basically get screwed over. Karlsson is listed at 6 feet and he doesn't look close to the same player he was at 28 years old. Saying Makar is more dynamic than Miller offensively is pretty far fetched considering he had 21 points in 34 games his first college season which Miller is on pace to destroy. Considering he only starting playing defense in 2015, based off of what he's done, Miller's upside is much greater than Makar's.

NHL scouts have gotten way too giddy with smaller, Euro prospects the past few years. They should take notice of the last 3 cup winners who won with size, grit and toughness in all the key must win games they needed to win.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

What sets Makar apart from Miller is Makar is a shrimp who has no mean streak and will get old, fast. He will have almost no ability to clear the front of the crease like Karlsson. IMO, Karlsson should not have won the Norris trophy in 2014-2015. Josi should have easily won the award. People get blinded by points and lose site of what a defenseman's first priority really is. While Miller is 6'3 with a mean streak and has the ability to be a PP guy while being a dominant force on defense. Makar was a bad pick. I don't like taking defenseman that size with top 10 picks. Never will. Maybe once in 25 years you get a Brian Leetch that proves you wrong. Otherwise, you basically get screwed over. Karlsson is listed at 6 feet and he doesn't look close to the same player he was at 28 years old. Saying Makar is more dynamic than Miller offensively is pretty far fetched considering he had 21 points in 34 games his first college season which Miller is on pace to destroy. Considering he only starting playing defense in 2015, based off of what he's done, Miller's upside is much greater than Makar's.

NHL scouts have gotten way too giddy with smaller, Euro players the past few years. They should take notice of the last 3 cup winners who won with size, grit and toughness in all the key must win games they needed to win.

Your posts are utterly predictable. You still act like it's 1995.

 

[Joey Bones]

In the seventh round, we need more guys like Randy McNaught.

You should've seen the cringe I just made reading this, lolol....

 

[Harbour Dog]

You should've seen the cringe I just made reading this, lolol....

Haha, that was the only post not deleted of a series of sarcastic posts that were responding to one poster lamenting all of the soft euros that we've taken in later rounds.

 

[NY Lito]

Your posts are utterly predictable. You still act like it's 1995.

While it’s definitely over the top, his point isn’t entirely wrong.

Since 2010 all of the Cup winners (arguably not Pittsburgh, but lol Crosby and Malkin) have had teams that could play physical and tough. Bruins, Kings, Caps, and even Hawks all had tough guys. Not Brashears and Boogaards, but guys that played hard, played the body, etc.

Also why I’m leery of hopping on the Leafs bandwagon. Come playoff time they have gotten pushed around. Also how many cups has Tampa won in recent years?

It isn’t 1995, but come playoff time, toughness and physical play really ramps up.

 

[tradenashnow]

Most on this board are lazy Lito and do no research like Snowblind. Pitt won nothing until they added tough role players and some tough, slower, stay at home defenseman who could keep the puck out of their net. Washington won with size and toughness last year. It's mind boggling how many fools out there still think that small, Euro teams are winning cups. It's completely wrong and laughable.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Most on this board are lazy Lito and do no research like Snowblind. Pitt won nothing until they added tough role players and some tough, slower, stay at home defenseman who could keep the puck out of their net. Washington won with size and toughness last year. It's mind boggling how many fools out there still think that small, Euro teams are winning cups. It's completely wrong and laughable.

European skaters on Cup winning teams the last 5 years:

2018: 12
2017: 8
2016: 9
2015: 12
2014: 3

Currently on the Rangers: 10

Yeah, you're right. We are so far off. We have too many European players

 

[SnowblindNYR]

While it’s definitely over the top, his point isn’t entirely wrong.

Since 2010 all of the Cup winners (arguably not Pittsburgh, but lol Crosby and Malkin) have had teams that could play physical and tough. Bruins, Kings, Caps, and even Hawks all had tough guys. Not Brashears and Boogaards, but guys that played hard, played the body, etc.

Also why I’m leery of hopping on the Leafs bandwagon. Come playoff time they have gotten pushed around. Also how many cups has Tampa won in recent years?

It isn’t 1995, but come playoff time, toughness and physical play really ramps up.

Doesn't mean that every player on these times needs to be tough. I also don't remember all of these tough guys on the Hawks. Since 2007 7 of the cup teams were way more finesse than tough, Wings, Hawks X3, and Pens X3. But even if that's not the case as I said every one of your players doesn't need to be tough. I'd rather have a soft superstar than a tough average player. I can get the latter a lot more easily.

 

[NY Lito]

Doesn't mean that every player on these times needs to be tough. I also don't remember all of these tough guys on the Hawks. Since 2007 7 of the cup teams were way more finesse than tough, Wings, Hawks X3, and Pens X3. But even if that's not the case as I said every one of your players doesn't need to be tough. I'd rather have a soft superstar than a tough average player. I can get the latter a lot more easily.

Good thing I never said every player needs to be tough. I said teams need some players like that and that it still plays a role, despite it not being 1995. The misconstruation of comments on this board is frustrating.

Also check out the Hawks 2010 roster.