Prospect Info: 2022-2023 Rangers Prospects Thread (Player Stats in Post #1; Updated 06.04.2023)

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nyr2k2

Can't Beat Him
Jul 30, 2005
46,113
34,087
Maryland
NEW YORK RANGERS PROSPECT INFORMATION
$ PLAYER SIGNED TO NHL CONTRACT
C
TEAM CAPTAIN - A ALTERNATE CAPTAIN
PLAYER CURRENTLY INJURED/UNABLE TO PLAY

:rangers


NORTH AMERICAN JUNIOR PROSPECTS -- OHL, QMJHL, USHL, WHL, Others
#
Player
Pos.
Sh.
DOB
Ht.
Wt.
GPGAP+/-PIM
SOG
Team/League
Acquired
49Barbashev, Maxim ALWL12/18/20036'1"18367323365+1051163Moncton Wildcats/QMJHLDrafted R5 #161 2022
12448-41434Moncton Wildcats/Playoffs
38Korczak, Ryder $ AC R 09/23/2002 5'11" 17348284169+1330187Moose Jaw Warriors/WHLDrafted R3 #75 2021
103811-4233Moose Jaw Warriors/Playoffs
5000-4010Hartford Wolf Pack/AHL
18McConnell-Barker, Bryce C $CL06/04/20046'2"19468304777-2716251Soo Greyhounds/OHLDrafted R3 #97 2022
78 Othmann, Brennan $LW L 01/05/2003 6'0" 17840182543+248178Peterborough Petes/OHL Drafted R1 #16 2021
2381725+11887Peterborough Petes/Playoffs
5235-2021Peterborough Petes/Memorial Cup
16111324+43183Flint Firebirds/OHL
7246+1025Canada U20/International
#
Player
Pos.
Glv.
DOB
Ht.
Wt.
GP
W
L
OTL
SOL
GAA
SV%
SO
Team/League
Acquired
31Boyko, Talyn $G L 10/16/2002 6'8" 200401324103.55.8983Kelowna Rockets/WHLDrafted R4 #112 2021
101003.00.9210Kelowna Rockets/Playoffs




UNITED STATES COLLEGE PROSPECTS -- NCAA
#
Player
Pos.
Sh.
Yr.
DOB
Ht.
Wt.
GP
G
A
P
+/-
PIM
SOG
Team/Conference
Acquired
28Chmelař, JaroslavRW R Fr. 07/20/2003 6'5"202337613-22653Providence Friars/HEADrafted R5 #144 2021
7325+8016Czechia U20/International
93Ciccolini, EricFR Sr.01/14/20016'0"170317411+31429Michigan Wolverines/B10Drafted R7 #205 2019
19Hughes, Riley AW RSr.06/27/20006'2"19532246+21838Northeastern Huskies/HEADrafted R7 #216 2018
59Karpa, ZakaryCLSo.03/25/20026'2"19022538+2640Harvard Crimson/ECACDrafted R6 #191 2022
4Kempf, HankDLSo.04/15/20026'2"20031112+121025Cornell Big Red/ECACDrafted R7 #208 2021
2Kjellberg, SimonD L Sr.02/17/2000 6'3"2103241014+22442Northern Michigan Wildcats/CCHADrafted R6 #1632018
26Laba, NoahCRFr.08/04/20036'2"19035111122-184856Colorado College Tigers/NCHCDrafted R4 #111 2022
1000000United States U20/International
17Lamb, BrodyRW R Fr. 08/30/2003 6'1"17539448+3454Minnesota Golden Gophers/B10Drafted R4 #104 2021
23Mancini, VictorDRSo.05/26/20026'4"21532088+21039Omaha Mavericks/NCHCDrafted R5 #159 2022
#
Player
Pos.
Glv.
Yr.
DOB
Ht.
Wt.
GP
W
L
T
GAA
SV%
SO
Team/Conference
Acquired
1Ollas, HugoGLSo.04/24/20026'8"2532110902.32.9155Merrimack Warriors/HEADrafted R7 #197 2020




INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTS -- Liiga, SHL, Others
#
Player
Pos.
Sh.
DOB
Ht.
Wt.
GP
G
A
P
+/-
PIM
SOG
Team/League
Acquired
23Tärnström, OliverC/LWL 08/30/2002 6'0" 15943123-3213Rögle BK/SHLDrafted R3 #92 2020
9000-403Rögle BK/Playoffs
6123+123Rögle BK/CHL
12336-4222Tingsryds AIF/Allsvenskan
58Väisänen, Kalle LW R 01/28/2003 6'4" 18747415-48--HC TPS/LiigaDrafted R4 #106 2021
300000--HC TPS/Playoffs
6000005HC TPS/CHL
6213+22--HC TPS U20/U20 SM-sarja
1101+10--HC TPS U20/Playoffs
8516+7219Finland U20/International




NORTH AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL PROSPECTS -- AHL, ECHL, NHL
#
Player
Pos.
Sh.
DOB
Ht.
Wt.
GP
G
A
P
+/-
PIM
SOG
Team/League
Acquired
27 Berard, Brett $LWL 09/09/2002 5'9" 1653000+102Hartford Wolf Pack/AHL Drafted R5 #134 2020
36101424+535129Providence Friars/NCAA
13Cuylle, Will $LW L 02/05/2002 6'3" 20469252045+1059177Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLDrafted R2 #60 2020
9123-2-218Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
4000-2101New York Rangers/NHL
34Edström, Adam $FL 10/12/2000 6'8" 2253101+104Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLDrafted R6 #161 2019
5011+125Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
4291019+43552Rögle BK/SHL
92130612Rögle BK/Playoffs
9101+1216Rögle BK/CHL
49Emberson, Ty $DR05/24/20006'1"1946972027+172771Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLTrade with ARI 2022
9235+9010Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
20Henriksson, Karl $C/LWL 02/05/2001 5'9" 1767071017+22065Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLDrafted R2 #58 2019
8000-249Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
6Jones, Zac $D L 10/18/2000 5'10" 1725482331+1634117Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLDrafted R3 #68 2019
9246+3826Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
16112-2415New York Rangers/NHL
3Kalynuk, Wyatt $DL04/14/19976'1"18015022+84015Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLTrade with VAN 2023
9123+569Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
4641317+54651Abbotsford Canucks/AHL
55Khodorenko, Patrick $ C L 10/13/1998 6'0" 2004000-221Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLSigned as UDFA 2020
7Lockwood, Will $RWR06/20/19985'11"185175712+3629Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLTrade with VAN 2023
903302913Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
2612618+41662Abbotsford Canucks/AHL
13011-7012Vancouver Canucks/NHL
48Pajuniemi, Lauri $RW R 09/12/1999 6'0"18368191938+1032140Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLDrafted R5 #132 2018
9426+6426Hartford Wolf Pack/AHL
32Rempe, Matt $C/RWL06/29/20026'7"20753641008748Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLDrafted R6 #165 2020
44Robertson, Matthew $ D L 03/09/2001 6'4" 2015751823-736108Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLDrafted R2 #49 2019
58Scanlin, Brandon $DL06/02/19996'4"2166141115+213073Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLSigned as UDFA 2022
9011007Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
29Sýkora, Adam $WL09/07/20045'10"1792000001Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLDrafted R2 #63 2022
4011+104Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
38813210879HK Nitra/SVK Extraliga
81340410HK Nitra/Playoffs
6112+1211HK Nitra/Continental Cup
300002--Slovakia/International
5101-1011Slovakia U20/International
41Trivigno, Bobby $LWL01/19/19995'7"1605771926+1320104Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLSigned as UDFA 2022
9213+2219Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
44Zech, Cooper $ DL12/18/19985'10"1671000002Jacksonville Icemen/ECHLTrade with CHI 2023
13112-1420Rockford IceHogs/AHL
85510+1222Indy Fuel/ECHL
#
Player
Pos.
Glv.
DOB
Ht.
Wt.
GP
W
L
OTL
GAA
SV%
SO
Team/League
Acquired
31Garand, Dylan $ G L 06/07/20026'1"18132131433.01.8943Hartford Wolf Pack/AHLDrafted R4 #103 2020
85301.76.9352Hartford Wolf Pack/Playoffs
35Lindbom, Olof $G L 07/23/2000 6'2" 18328171013.01.8901Jacksonville Icemen/ECHLDrafted R2 #39 2018
32103.15.8850Jacksonville Icemen/Playoffs
10003.51.8180Hartford Wolf Pack/AHL


What Makes a Prospect?
A player will be considered a prospect until he meets the following criteria:
  • If a prospect is a skater (forward, defenseman) and has played in 65 NHL games or more before the completion of the season of his 24th birthday; or, if a goaltender has played in 45 NHL games before the completion of the season of his 24th birthday, that player will be considered graduated to the NHL. Conversely, if a player completes the season of his 24th birthday without passing those milestones, then that player will no longer be considered a prospect, regardless of the player’s status with his NHL club.
  • An NCAA player who signs his first contract at or above the age of 22 has three years to meet the above criteria (65/45), while those NCAA players that turn pro under the age of 22 will be subjected to the criteria above.
  • European players who sign their first NHL contract at or above the age of 22 have three seasons from the time they sign that contract to meet the above criteria. Those European players below the age of 22 that have signed a NHL contract will be subjected to the criteria in section one.
  • Notwithstanding the previous criteria, any skater who has played six seasons since his selection in the NHL Entry Draft, and any goaltender who has played seven seasons since his selection, will be considered graduated for the purposes of prospect eligibility. Any prospect signing at or above the age of 25 will have one year of prospect eligibility.

    NOTE: These are general guidelines and should be followed the majority of the time but certain players may still be listed as prospects if circumstances warrant.
 
Last edited:

McRanger92

Registered User
Jun 7, 2017
11,331
20,955
I do not follow the prospects too closely, but who do we expect to contribute/make their debut during the 2022-23 season?
 

nyr2k2

Can't Beat Him
Jul 30, 2005
46,113
34,087
Maryland
With the draft coming up pretty soon and the season over for all our guys, here's a new thread.

-Gettinger graduated
-Ronning graduated
-Huska graduated

We'll have to see on Elmer, Richard, Rueschhoff, and Wall. I expect Richards and Rueschhoff to be retained but Elmer is certainly gone and I think Wall is, too.

Chmelar is an NCAA guy now, heading to Providence. Brody Lamb also will be in the NCAA with Minnesota. I had seen his commitment reported as both for 22-23 and for 23-24, but it looks like he's heading there this fall. Kjellberg transfers to Northern Mich. I still have Othmann in the OHL because I'm not sure how it will play out for him.

We'll give Rydahl a year of eligibility even though he's 27.
 

nyr2k2

Can't Beat Him
Jul 30, 2005
46,113
34,087
Maryland
I do not follow the prospects too closely, but who do we expect to contribute/make their debut during the 2022-23 season?
Will Cuylle and Adam Edstrom have a shot at a bottom six role, I'd think. Gustav Rydahl, I think they signed him hoping/expecting he could grab a spot at some point. Lauri Pajuniemi has an outside shot, depending on what the roster looks like.

Defensively, in terms of debuts, Matthew Robertson is the only one who has a chance who hasn't already played (like Jones or Lundkvist).

Dylan Garand, I suppose it's possible, but it would probably take like at least 2-3 other guys getting injured simultaneously for that to happen.

Othmann is the big wild card in all of this. He can't play in Hartford, but he's also too good for the OHL. If the Rangers think he's even close to ready they'll likely keep him around, even if they do send him back eventually.
 

GAGLine

Registered User
Sep 17, 2007
24,276
21,143
Othmann was named to the OHL first all star team, and Cuylle was named to the 2nd all star team.


First All-Star Team:
Centre – Wyatt Johnston, Windsor Spitfires (OHL’s Most Outstanding Player)
Left Wing – Brennan Othmann, Flint Firebirds – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2019-20
Right Wing – Brandon Coe, North Bay Battalion
Defence – Nathan Staios, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL’s Defenceman of the Year)
Defence – Ryan O’Rourke, Soo Greyhounds – voted 2nd all-rookie team in 2018-19
Goaltender – Brett Brochu, London Knights (OHL’s Goaltender of the Year) – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2019-20
Coach – James Richmond, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL’s Coach of the Year)

Second All-Star Team:
Centre – Mason McTavish, Hamilton Bulldogs – voted 2nd all-rookie team in 2019-20
Left Wing – Will Cuylle, Windsor Spitfires – voted 2nd all-rookie team in 2018-19
Right Wing – Luke Evangelista, London Knights
Defence – Jack Thompson, Soo Greyhounds
Defence – Brandt Clarke, Barrie Colts – voted 1st all-rookie team in 2019-20
Goaltender – Luke Cavallin, Flint Firebirds
Coach – Ted Dent, Flint Firebirds
 

Roo Returns

Skjeikspeare No More
Mar 4, 2010
9,676
5,248
Westchester, NY
So I mentioned him in other threads, but what are people's expectations for Korczak?

Huska and Wall I see as gone. Especially the former being a Group VI. It's the Garrand and Olas show, probably with a vet security blanket.

Elmer, Gettinger, and Ronning I see as gone.
 

nyr2k2

Can't Beat Him
Jul 30, 2005
46,113
34,087
Maryland
So I mentioned him in other threads, but what are people's expectations for Korczak?

Huska and Wall I see as gone. Especially the former being a Group VI. It's the Garrand and Olas show, probably with a vet security blanket.

Elmer, Gettinger, and Ronning I see as gone.
IDK what to make of Korczak. He has a lot of talent, but his production hasn't really improved much year over year in the WHL. When I watched him, you could see he was a good junior player, but he usually looked like the fourth or fifth best player on the ice on any given night. I mean he had some huge games, no doubt, but just on a shit-to-shift basis, I was never really particularly impressed. He reminds me somewhat of a Brad Morrison, who was a guy that the Rangers didn't sign after drafting him, and who became an AHL/ECHL tweener.
 

GAGLine

Registered User
Sep 17, 2007
24,276
21,143

Lots of good info in this article.

For next season, expect a cheap, short-term veteran to fill that role. But as far as the prospect pool is concerned, it's clear that Dylan Garand has emerged as the most viable option in the long term.

Dylan Garand takes part in the New York Rangers Development Camp at the team's practice facility in Tarrytown Sept. 12, 2021.


The 2020 fourth-round pick was recently awarded the 2021-22 Del Wilson Memorial Trophy, which is given annually to the Western Hockey League's top goalie. This came after tying for the league lead with 34 wins and finishing second with a .925 save percentage and 2.16 goals against average while helping the Kamloops Blazers win a B.C. Division title.


WHL Goaltender of the Year Nominees
Central Division
– Sebastian Cossa (Fort McMurray, Alta.) – Edmonton Oil Kings
East Division – Daniel Hauser (Chestermere, Alta.) – Winnipeg ICE
U.S. Division – Taylor Gauthier (Calgary, Alta.) – Portland Winterhawks

Garand was the nominee from the B.C. Division.

We'll see how he does in the AHL next year, but hopefully we have another 4th round gem on our hands.
 
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eco's bones

Registered User
Jul 21, 2005
26,777
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Elmira NY
To me Korczak could go either way. That jump from the CHL to the AHL has killed the hopes of a lot of players in the past. Some just don't handle it well. Korczak will not be playing against 16 to 19 year olds here. He's got a slight frame. It doesn't mean he won't make that jump well but these are things that will have to be seen before we can really say he's a good prospect. Going into this past season one of the critiques of him was he was too much a perimeter player. The bigger, stronger, older AHL'ers could put him on the perimeter again. That wouldn't be good.

To me again the three forward prospects above everyone else are Othmann, Cuylle and Berard. They're all different players but the styles of game they play, their battle level in whatever leagues they've been in point towards good professional outcomes. The rest of our forward prospects are still in the 'We'll see' category though I think Pajuniemi has the best potential of them after the above three.
 

kovazub94

Enigmatic
Aug 5, 2010
13,302
8,974
IDK what to make of Korczak. He has a lot of talent, but his production hasn't really improved much year over year in the WHL. When I watched him, you could see he was a good junior player, but he usually looked like the fourth or fifth best player on the ice on any given night. I mean he had some huge games, no doubt, but just on a shit-to-shift basis, I was never really particularly impressed. He reminds me somewhat of a Brad Morrison, who was a guy that the Rangers didn't sign after drafting him, and who became an AHL/ECHL tweener.
Korczak was drafted as an offensive forward and for many of those the jump to the pro’s was telling about their career path. On a positive side unlike Morrison the Rangers chose to give him a contract. We shall see...

To me Korczak could go either way. That jump from the CHL to the AHL has killed the hopes of a lot of players in the past. Some just don't handle it well. Korczak will not be playing against 16 to 19 year olds here. He's got a slight frame. It doesn't mean he won't make that jump well but these are things that will have to be seen before we can really say he's a good prospect. Going into this past season one of the critiques of him was he was too much a perimeter player. The bigger, stronger, older AHL'ers could put him on the perimeter again. That wouldn't be good.

To me again the three forward prospects above everyone else are Othmann, Cuylle and Berard. They're all different players but the styles of game they play, their battle level in whatever leagues they've been in point towards good professional outcomes. The rest of our forward prospects are still in the 'We'll see' category though I think Pajuniemi has the best potential of them after the above three.
Yup, Korczak is a depth of the Rangers prospect pool, not its headline.
 

Roo Returns

Skjeikspeare No More
Mar 4, 2010
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Korczak was drafted as an offensive forward and for many of those the jump to the pro’s was telling about their career path. On a positive side unlike Morrison the Rangers chose to give him a contract. We shall see...


Yup, Korczak is a depth of the Rangers prospect pool, not its headline.

The problem is, because the Rangers have been so allergic to drafting centers or fixing their internal center problem for what seems like 30 years, someone like him making it or being that "mid round gem" becomes so much more amplified with a contender especially for cap allocation.

He doesn't have to be a bruiser or even great along the boards yet, it's all about his skating/vision/pace at the AHL level. I don't know how he is as a skater, but if he can keep up with the pace and be good on the PP, they can work with him and let him develop skills as he physically matures.

I'm rooting for Pajuniemi, always liked him and he has that shot that is lethal.

What both these guys have in common is the need to really work on the areas of their game that will allow them to get noticed and contribute at the pro level (skating/pace).
 

eco's bones

Registered User
Jul 21, 2005
26,777
13,700
Elmira NY
The problem is, because the Rangers have been so allergic to drafting centers or fixing their internal center problem for what seems like 30 years, someone like him making it or being that "mid round gem" becomes so much more amplified with a contender especially for cap allocation.

He doesn't have to be a bruiser or even great along the boards yet, it's all about his skating/vision/pace at the AHL level. I don't know how he is as a skater, but if he can keep up with the pace and be good on the PP, they can work with him and let him develop skills as he physically matures.

I'm rooting for Pajuniemi, always liked him and he has that shot that is lethal.

What both these guys have in common is the need to really work on the areas of their game that will allow them to get noticed and contribute at the pro level (skating/pace).

Brett Howden is an example of pushing a kid into a NHL spot for lack of anyone better. Coming out of the WHL he had a bit more going for him than Korczak does now. For one he had a more rounded game and could project as high as Korczak and also as bottom liner. Howden might have been greatly served by playing a season or two in the AHL. At this point we'll never know whether some time developing there might have helped his offense more. Now he seems to be what he's going to be.

And it's not going to work well to force the issue just because a 3rd rounder just finishing his D+1 season might be our top center prospect. If he's not good enough then he's not good enough......and we're no longer in this period of rebuild really. Our window is now officially open. We need to have guys who can really play.....not throw crap at the wall and hope it sticks.

far as the AHL---it eats up a lot of young players. Ryder will have to play against older, bigger, stronger, savvier, more experienced players than he's played against so far. We're not going to know how he can do well against them until he actually starts playing against them. It's not easy though to put up a lot of points in that league and the highest scorers are usually guys that have been around that league for a while. There are very few kids that take that league by storm.
 

Roo Returns

Skjeikspeare No More
Mar 4, 2010
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Brett Howden is an example of pushing a kid into a NHL spot for lack of anyone better. Coming out of the WHL he had a bit more going for him than Korczak does now. For one he had a more rounded game and could project as high as Korczak and also as bottom liner. Howden might have been greatly served by playing a season or two in the AHL. At this point we'll never know whether some time developing there might have helped his offense more. Now he seems to be what he's going to be.

And it's not going to work well to force the issue just because a 3rd rounder just finishing his D+1 season might be our top center prospect. If he's not good enough then he's not good enough......and we're no longer in this period of rebuild really. Our window is now officially open. We need to have guys who can really play.....not throw crap at the wall and hope it sticks.

far as the AHL---it eats up a lot of young players. Ryder will have to play against older, bigger, stronger, savvier, more experienced players than he's played against so far. We're not going to know how he can do well against them until he actually starts playing against them. It's not easy though to put up a lot of points in that league and the highest scorers are usually guys that have been around that league for a while. There are very few kids that take that league by storm.

He needs to be in a position to succeed. Work with his strengths. Don't turn him into a grinder if he's a skill player.

It's not give him the second line spot on the Rangers, it's try him with offensive players in camp and see if anything is there. When in Hartford, put him with Brodz or proven AHL guys who can score elite at that level. It will help his development.

If he's not good enough, it will become evident very quickly.
 
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eco's bones

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Elmira NY
He needs to be in a position to succeed. Work with his strengths. Don't turn him into a grinder if he's a skill player.

It's not give him the second line spot on the Rangers, it's try him with offensive players in camp and see if anything is there. When in Hartford, put him with Brodz or proven AHL guys who can score elite at that level. It will help his development.

If he's not good enough, it will become evident very quickly.
You could say that of any prospect really. What they need and what the team needs might not come to fruition for any player. Korczak is going to have to earn his ice time and the trust of his coaches. Production is a big deal but as important is being reliable defensively. It’s possible but right now he’s a rather big reach to become a good NHL 2C. He’s not going to make it at all if he doesn’t have a two way game.
 

JimmyG89

Registered User
May 1, 2010
9,907
8,551
IDK what to make of Korczak. He has a lot of talent, but his production hasn't really improved much year over year in the WHL. When I watched him, you could see he was a good junior player, but he usually looked like the fourth or fifth best player on the ice on any given night. I mean he had some huge games, no doubt, but just on a shit-to-shift basis, I was never really particularly impressed. He reminds me somewhat of a Brad Morrison, who was a guy that the Rangers didn't sign after drafting him, and who became an AHL/ECHL tweener.
Is Korczak eligible for the AHL? I think so based on how we are kind of screwed based on Othmann being born in 2003. Does anyone think another year in Junior would be better over being in the AHL at 20 for him? While it would be nice to see if he can cut it early, he also was a mid-round pick that could use the extra junior time that he lost due to COVID. Only 17 games in his D+1 season. Moose Jaw should have a very very good top line if he sticks around. Firkus is a late 1st/early 2nd rounder and Braydon Yager looks like someone that will go pretty high in 2023.

With him being their only real upside center in the system, his development is crucial when it comes to having a cost effective center coming up. Henriksson will be in the AHL, but he has severely underwhelmed and I'm not sure what his upside is. Edstrom is more of a 3rd/4th line guy. Rempe is pretty much a 4th line type. Korczak is about the one option that the team has to being a top 6 center.
 

Amazing Kreiderman

Registered User
Apr 11, 2011
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Is Korczak eligible for the AHL? I think so based on how we are kind of screwed based on Othmann being born in 2003. Does anyone think another year in Junior would be better over being in the AHL at 20 for him? While it would be nice to see if he can cut it early, he also was a mid-round pick that could use the extra junior time that he lost due to COVID. Only 17 games in his D+1 season. Moose Jaw should have a very very good top line if he sticks around. Firkus is a late 1st/early 2nd rounder and Braydon Yager looks like someone that will go pretty high in 2023.

With him being their only real upside center in the system, his development is crucial when it comes to having a cost effective center coming up. Henriksson will be in the AHL, but he has severely underwhelmed and I'm not sure what his upside is. Edstrom is more of a 3rd/4th line guy. Rempe is pretty much a 4th line type. Korczak is about the one option that the team has to being a top 6 center.

Korczak turns 20 this calendar year, so yes.

Players drafted out of major juniors are AHL eligible if they:

A. Turn 20 by Dec 31st of that season, or
B. Have completed 4 full seasons of major juniors, or
C. Were released by their junior team, or
D. Played on loan in major juniors in their draft year (Sandin, Zadina etc)
 
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nyr2k2

Can't Beat Him
Jul 30, 2005
46,113
34,087
Maryland
I'm not really sure if Korczak would have much to gain by going back for an over-age year. I mean it's pretty rare that I think guys do benefit from that--it would usually be a situation where a guy missed a year with an injury and can catch up, or where you have a guy who just suddenly discovered some offense and you want him to go focus solely on that, etc. Those kinds of things.

If Korczak went back, I'm sure he'd have a great year, but would he develop where it counts? He needs to strengthen up, and play more quickly. Not a "juniors quick" speed, but the speed you need to play at to generate offense in the pros. I think on both counts, he'd be better served as a professional, getting reps against other pros and working on his strength and conditioning with pros.

That's not to say he couldn't improve in the WHL for another year. I do think that would be more like treading water, though.
 
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