I have a few minor quibbles with his list but I actually agree with most of it. I am also happy to see Emberson being acknowledged, as he has been very good for Hartford this season.
2023 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 22 New York Rangers
The Rangers' prospect pool falls from league average to slightly below this year.theathletic.com
Pretty good write-ups for a 22nd ranked prospect pool. Its encouraging that we seem to have found some useful players long-term in the middle rounds, even if they aren't going to be gamebreakers. I also like Wheeler's articles far more than Pronman, who seems like he must be half asleep while watching games.
Don't know much about BMB or Chmelar but it's good to see their stock rising already from their draft year's. I know Barbie isnt on this list but gut feeling I think he is going to make it. Cuylle and Robertson are interesting cases, they are the closest to the NHL in theory but the upside on both seems somewhat limited. It will be tough for them to crack the Ranger lineup imo in the next few years, especially if Robertson is developing as slowly in HFD as the reports say. Both guys are prospects that could be moved in lieu of draft picks to a bottom feeder who can give them rope to succeed at the NHL level.
I wish Jones could win a physical battle in the NHL, there is some Sam Girard upside there (even though his bad playoffs seem to have destoryed his confidence in COL) but I still dont think he reaches it here with no PP time. He'll get us a better player than we think at the deadline
Prospect Info: 2022-2023 Rangers Prospects Thread (Player Stats in Post #1; Updated 06.04.2023)
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NYR Viper
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It would be quite the win if Emberson and/or Scanlin could become everyday NHLers for this team.
Amazing Kreiderman
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True, but it's better than NOT scoring at a P/GP in the CHL.
Yeah, I think Chmelař is a bit low. I would rank him ahead of Korczak.
Not much to argue with the rest of the list. Robertson has fallen a bit but that's to be expected. There's still potential of course but I get the feeling his NHL debut will be with another team, like Graves.
The other two I would slot higher were Vaisanen and Grubbe. It's too early to know exactly what we have in Vaisanen, but like with Chmelar, the physical tools and skills are tantalizing. He also looked good against his peers at the WJC. Grubbe now that he's healthy has a pretty solid floor as a useful NHL player.
I also would drop Korczak.
This is true, but context is important too.
BMB has basically been on a tear over the last 30 games on a team that is terrible (He's basically top 10 in OHL scoring and his team is I think bottom 3 and def bottom 5 in OHL offense.)
For someone who was the last pick of the 3rd round and missed an entire season of dev time because of Covid, this is pretty exciting IMO.
NYR Viper
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I think we need to think of a bit of context as well though. BMB has been touted as a 2-way, high motor, 200 ft player. Guys who play that style while also accruing points generally don't have a similar trajectory to someone who is more of an offensively gifted player who is known as a PP threat and more of a perimeter player.
You're correct that points aren't everything but BMB appears to bring more to the table than just points. This is why his point totals climbing are such a good sign in general.
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I don't know that Emberson was ever the longshot NYR fans see him as.
Not flashy, but maybe undervalued here, as a reflection of being the return for Nemeth.
Steady path so far, 3rd round pick, signed after 3 Wisco seasons, AHL regular at 21
RHD are like lefty pitchers, teams always looking, if you're decent you could have a good career.
Obviously this can apply to Skinner, too. Hoping he can get ice-time, and earn more, now that he is back with Pack.
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I wasn't sure who we were talking about in terms of PPG production: BMB, who is well above that at 1.25 PPG; Barbashev, who just hit a PPG after his recent torrid stretch; or Othmann, who has sturggles in Peterborough and is playing at a PPG pace since that trade.
In any event, what's much more important than their production in a vacuum when looking at young prospects is looking examining their progress year over year. Because what you really want more than anything, is to see progress. If you draft a guy who scored 30 points in 60 games, you don't expect that the next year he's going to explode into a high-end prospect and score 100 points. But you do want to see progression, both in terms of that measurable production and in terms of their overall consistency and play.
Barbashev is a guy I was a little critical of earlier in the season, because while he did some nice things, the consistency was not there shift to shift, game to game. I noticed he would go extended stretches without really being involved. Fast forward to the last month or so, and he scores a goal in nine straight games (11 goals total) and really picks up his whole game. For a kid I knocked as being inconsistent, you can't ask for much more than that. And, looking at the year over year, he's only 3 points off of last year's point total in 20 fewer games, has already scored more goals, and has just one fewer SOG. It's exactly the type of progression you would want to see in a guy like him. Is his production indicative of a future star? It is not. Does it show he's developing as a player, and keeping course to one day become a nice third line winger? Sure does.
BMB, it's the same type of thing. Last season he was buried a little bit and also inconsistent, like a lot of young players. This year, he's the captain, he's the go-to guy, and he's flourishing. He's on a crappy team with very little in the way of offensive help. He's his team's only drafted forward. There are no crazy overage performers there helping buoy him. He really has to drive that offense largely by himself. And, after a slow first few weeks, he's really taking off. Watch a Soo game and you can clearly see he's their best forward every night, and (depending on the opponent) is usually one of the best 3-4 players in the game overall. That his offensive production is elevated is great, but again, it's really about the progression he has made since last season. And, he brings more to the table than just offense. He can make it in the NHL even if the offense doesn't translate.
Othmann's production in Peterborough, sure, it sucks, given what he has done previously and what is expected of him. But, I think there's a lot of bad luck there, and given what he showed in Flint to start the season and how he showed up at the end of the WJC, I wouldn't worry much.
In any event, what's much more important than their production in a vacuum when looking at young prospects is looking examining their progress year over year. Because what you really want more than anything, is to see progress. If you draft a guy who scored 30 points in 60 games, you don't expect that the next year he's going to explode into a high-end prospect and score 100 points. But you do want to see progression, both in terms of that measurable production and in terms of their overall consistency and play.
Barbashev is a guy I was a little critical of earlier in the season, because while he did some nice things, the consistency was not there shift to shift, game to game. I noticed he would go extended stretches without really being involved. Fast forward to the last month or so, and he scores a goal in nine straight games (11 goals total) and really picks up his whole game. For a kid I knocked as being inconsistent, you can't ask for much more than that. And, looking at the year over year, he's only 3 points off of last year's point total in 20 fewer games, has already scored more goals, and has just one fewer SOG. It's exactly the type of progression you would want to see in a guy like him. Is his production indicative of a future star? It is not. Does it show he's developing as a player, and keeping course to one day become a nice third line winger? Sure does.
BMB, it's the same type of thing. Last season he was buried a little bit and also inconsistent, like a lot of young players. This year, he's the captain, he's the go-to guy, and he's flourishing. He's on a crappy team with very little in the way of offensive help. He's his team's only drafted forward. There are no crazy overage performers there helping buoy him. He really has to drive that offense largely by himself. And, after a slow first few weeks, he's really taking off. Watch a Soo game and you can clearly see he's their best forward every night, and (depending on the opponent) is usually one of the best 3-4 players in the game overall. That his offensive production is elevated is great, but again, it's really about the progression he has made since last season. And, he brings more to the table than just offense. He can make it in the NHL even if the offense doesn't translate.
Othmann's production in Peterborough, sure, it sucks, given what he has done previously and what is expected of him. But, I think there's a lot of bad luck there, and given what he showed in Flint to start the season and how he showed up at the end of the WJC, I wouldn't worry much.
gravey9
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It's very accurate for a guy who has to cover the entire league. Surprisingly good. I feel like Scanlin could have been included on this list. I think he's at least even with Emberson. Emberson is a better skater, but Scanlin's a better stay at home defender who keeps things simple. Scanlin is closer to a Harpur type. Emberson is a bit more active/hybrid who needs to keep things simple to succeed and get to next level.
That said, I really hope the Rangers hang on to their high draft picks this year. They just need some more skill and speed in their prospect pool. There's only one player that projects as a top 6 forward. And no defenders projected above a #4. I get that most of our major young talent is already on the roster, but I think we will need to back fill within the next 2 seasons due to cap issues and I don't see hardly any high end young options.
gravey9
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Agreed. I haven't seen Barbashev play other than the highlights so I have very little to go on. But I do notice that a lot of his goals are him driving to the net and one of his linemates passing it to him for a one-timer. I'm curious to understand the factors that have led to his overall production increase. Is it due to playing the same game but with better linemates? Or is it that his play away from the puck and finding seems in the defense has gotten better?
He may have more chemistry with the guys he's been playing with the past few weeks, but I definitely wouldn't say they're "better." Like at least part of the year earlier on, he was playing with Preston Lounsbury, who is draft eligible and will likely be picked. Now he's usually with two guys, an undrafted kid Alexis Daniel who is kind of blah, and a kid who played for the Swiss at the WJC in Jonas Taibel, who is also kind of blah. But, they work together. He also sees ample time on the PP.
I don't watch every Moncton game by any means, but the biggest difference for me between what I see now as opposed to earlier in the season, is he's playing better off the puck, and seems to be learning what it's going to take for him to be successful. He's always been a chippy guy, and while he is definitely engaged out there every night, he's also maybe not so focused on that? I also have to acknowledge I didn't see him last season (I haven't watched the Q in a couple years since we haven't had guys there) so I can't say what he looked like last season. Just seems like he's...settling in, and eginning to understand his own game, if that makes sense.
gravey9
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Scanlin and Trivigno not considered by Wheeler because they are older than 22, which was his cutoff. Choosing age 22 as a cutoff might make sense for drafted players but NCAA free agents are older when they come out so they are cut out even though they are prospects and both are in their AHL rookie seasons.
If included, they both would have been in my top 10.
I'm a little higher on Scanlin than Emberson. Emberson is a solid AHL defenseman but nothing really stands out for me and I agree with Wheeler that in the NHL he is likely a 7th-8th defenseman. I think Scanlin is better defensively and his offense is growing as have several of us have noted. He has more offense than Ben Harper. I see him more as a Ryan Graves type player. I think he has a higher upside than Emberson. But I'm fine with Emberson being on the list and I agree he has been a pleasant positive surprise.
Those of us who have watched Hartford have expressed some concern about Robertson. I think anyone who hasn't followed the team would be surprised Robertson is only ranked 10th. I recently went back at Wheeler and Pronman ratings of Ranger prospects and it struck me that Pronman rated Robertson as below average hockey sense. Having watched him this year I would agree and maybe that's the problem with his development and why he needs to keep his game simple.
kovazub94
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One off-hand lazy comment kick started an interesting series of posts - good stuff!
The only thing I'd add is that you also can't sling Othmann's 1.25 ppg rate (that should've been higher if not for some unfavorable puck luck since the trade) together with ppg. He's shown for long stretches to be about 1.5 ppg producer.
As far as "real" ppg project the good thing is that their calling card around draft time wasn't offensive production. They were looked to hopefully fill bottom line spots once they are done developing. That hasn't changes but with this level of production as juniors - it gives firmer support that these guy will make it eventually. For a recent close illustration look at Morgan Barron. A low pick that surprisingly became offensively productive in D+1. The offense has not translated but he's become an NHLer who's already played more games this season when last after being up and down between NHL and AHL in the prior two seasons.
The only thing I'd add is that you also can't sling Othmann's 1.25 ppg rate (that should've been higher if not for some unfavorable puck luck since the trade) together with ppg. He's shown for long stretches to be about 1.5 ppg producer.
As far as "real" ppg project the good thing is that their calling card around draft time wasn't offensive production. They were looked to hopefully fill bottom line spots once they are done developing. That hasn't changes but with this level of production as juniors - it gives firmer support that these guy will make it eventually. For a recent close illustration look at Morgan Barron. A low pick that surprisingly became offensively productive in D+1. The offense has not translated but he's become an NHLer who's already played more games this season when last after being up and down between NHL and AHL in the prior two seasons.
I agree that Scanlin is also having a really nice season.
The reason I like Emberson is he gives me Girardi vibes. No real noteworthy skills that impress you, but just steady overall, and willing to do the hard work. It's what I remember from Wisconsin.
Scanlin has just been such a nice surprise. I know he was well-regarded coming out of Omaha, but still, the vast majority of NCAA UDFAs never become anything. He really looks like he has a chance.
The Crypto Guy
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Othmann with 2 goals tonight including the game winning goal in the last minute to give his team the 3-2 win.
redwhiteandblue
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*Activate Clutch Gene*
These are the small things I love about prospects. Great moments to build on and carry to the next. This is definitely more of what we'd hope to hear when he made the transition to a better team.
I fear for his outlook from this board lol, but I'm excited to what he can bring to a middle then top 6 role in the near-mid future.
The Crypto Guy
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Just to add more on Othmann....he took a puck to the face during the game and lost 2 teeth, then came back to score that GWG.
Sykora had two goals today, and is up to 5-8-13 in 23.
Last season he had 10-7-17 in 46.
Last season he had 10-7-17 in 46.
Very encouraging. i wonder what happened with that situation of him maybe playing in juniors
egelband
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There was an announcement that he’s staying in Slovakia. Which personally I think is best. Gotta stop rushing these kids overseas when they’re 18 years old. Let them grow up with one less thing to worry about.
He would be in juniors with talent his age and not in the AHL. him getting used to the smaller ice surface is not a bad thing, some junior team owns his rights.
I think once you get drafted, you should have to play in Juniors and not in Europe.
Barnaby
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Pretty good list… I’d probably put Berard ahead of Sykora at the moment at least and I’d move Grubbe up. I think he’s got a better chance of making the NHL than at least a few guys ahead of him. I think BMB ‘could’ be the 2nd or 3rd player on this list by the end of the season.
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The Crypto Guy
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Rangers wanted him to stay in Europe over coming to play in Juniors.
Barnaby
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It would be fun to see him in juniors because it’s easier to compare to like players in the same league, but I think Europe is the right move this year and probably next. Don’t rush him into the AHL and don’t force his development. The last think I want to see is him struggling in the AHL and playing in the ECHL. Two years in Europe and 1-2 years in the AHL feels like the right curve to me.
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