Prospect Info: 2023-2024 Rangers Prospects Thread (Prospect Stats in Post #1; Updated 05.22.2024)

[eco's bones]

Yea, let him play in the AHL for a year or two. No need to rush him. We saw the negative effect it had on Kakko. Hopefully Hartford can have a couple playoff runs down there.

Kakko wasn't really ready for the NHL in his draft year. All season long he had issues with his skating whether getting knocked over too easily or being after shifts. He improved over the next summer and also started seriously working on his defensive game which was pretty bad and his made good improvement in a lot of areas since season #1.

Sykora doesn't have Kakko's issues. Sykora also doesn't have Kakko's offensive abilities. The size, the strength, ability to cycle and control pucks, the shot or the playmaking skills. He's a different player altogether and his skating for his size is great and he's got an engine---kind of like a Hagelin or a Motte, he can get caught out on the ice on an extended shift and be fine for quite a while. He's also got a good defensive game and is great at harassing the hell out of opponents on the forecheck and the back check. I don't see him becoming a top 6 forward but I do see him becoming a really really good third line winger and if he fights his way onto the Rangers this year it's going to because of things like that and if he does play in Hartford this year I don't think he's that far away from the NHL. It's just temper your expectations that he's not going to be a big scorer.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Yea, let him play in the AHL for a year or two. No need to rush him. We saw the negative effect it had on Kakko. Hopefully Hartford can have a couple playoff runs down there.

What they should have done, is let him play in the SHL for 2 years like the Canadiens did with Lehkonen. But the moment they signed Sýkora to an ELC just 2 weeks after drafting him, that went out the window. They were always going to send him to the AHL. The only reason it didn't happen sooner, is that the transfer agreement didn't allow it.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Vince Mercoglliano wrapped up his prospect series today.

He had listed his top ten and today he went into more information about players not in his top ten. He also noted that since Zac Jones is not considered a rooking he did not consider him in his rankings.

Forwards in order

• Gabe Perreault, LW/RW
• Brennan Othmann, LW
• Will Cuylle, LW
• Adam Sýkora, LW
• Bryce McConnell-Barker, C
• Brett Berard, LW
• Jaroslav Chmelař, LW/RW
• Ryder Korczak, C/RW
• Noah Laba, C
• Bobby Trivigno, LW
• Maxim Barbashev, LW
• Kalle Väisänen, LW/RW

Defensemen in order

• Matthew Robertson, LD
• Drew Fortescue, LD
• Rasmus Larsson, LD
• Ty Emberson, RD
• Victor Mancini, RD
• Brandon Scanlin, LD
• Hank Kempf, LD

Goalies in order

1. Dylan Garand
2. Hugo Ollas
3. Talyn Boyko
4. Olof Lindbom

His top ten are:

1. Perrault
2. Othmann
3. Cuylee
4. Sykora
5. BMB
6. Garand
7. Berard
8. Robertson
9. Fortescue
10. Chmelar

The one notable absence is Edstrom. I had him #13 on my list. Other than that I only have minor quibbles here and there

 

[nyr2k2]

Still no idea what will be happening with Barbashev or what happened in general to Kjellberg.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Still no idea what will be happening with Barbashev or what happened in general to Kjellberg.

Is Barbashev not just going to play another year in Juniors?

Othmann played last season there and was only 3 weeks younger than Barbashev.

 

[GAGLine]

Is Barbashev not just going to play another year in Juniors?

Othmann played last season there as was only 3 weeks younger than Barbashev.

Barbashev turns 20 on December 18th, so that makes him an overager per CHL rules, even though he's going into his D+2 season. It's the same situation as Korczak last year.

He's also an import player. Teams have limits on the number of imports and overagers they can have, so his CHL team might not want to spend 2 slots on one player.

 

[nyr2k2]

Is Barbashev not just going to play another year in Juniors?

Othmann played last season there and was only 3 weeks younger than Barbashev.

Despite trading for him, Shawinigan left him off their roster. They're carrying two other imports. A likely explanation is they agreed to the trade for Barbashev and then later drafted Jiri Klima in the import draft, who they really liked (and who has 11 points this preseason in 7 games). They wanted Klima and their other import moving forward more than one season of Barbashev.

None of this is confirmed but it's what makes the most sense. In any event Barbashev is currently without a team. Signing an AHL or ECHL deal makes sense.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Despite trading for him, Shawinigan left him off their roster. They're carrying two other imports. A likely explanation is they agreed to the trade for Barbashev and then later drafted Jiri Klima in the import draft, who they really liked (and who has 11 points this preseason in 7 games). They wanted Klima and their other import moving forward more than one season of Barbashev.

None of this is confirmed but it's what makes the most sense. In any event Barbashev is currently without a team. Signing an AHL or ECHL deal makes sense.

Barbashev turns 20 on December 18th, so that makes him an overager per CHL rules, even though he's going into his D+2 season. It's the same situation as Korczak last year.

He's also an import player. Teams have limits on the number of imports and overagers they can have, so his CHL team might not want to spend 2 slots on one player.

That stinks. I forgot he was an import player too.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Despite trading for him, Shawinigan left him off their roster. They're carrying two other imports. A likely explanation is they agreed to the trade for Barbashev and then later drafted Jiri Klima in the import draft, who they really liked (and who has 11 points this preseason in 7 games). They wanted Klima and their other import moving forward more than one season of Barbashev.

None of this is confirmed but it's what makes the most sense. In any event Barbashev is currently without a team. Signing an AHL or ECHL deal makes sense.

They should just sign him to an NHL contract. If he signed an AHL deal for this season, could he leave like JAM did?

 

[eco's bones]

FWIW Shawinigan was 29-34-5 last year. They have only one guy on their roster going into this season (Angus Booth) who has been drafted by an NHL team. They're probably not going to be amongst the best QMJHL teams. I'd expect other QMJHL teams will be interested in Barbashev or even an OHL team...even if it takes a little while to find one. I don't think he'll get much playing time with the Pack if he were to sign an NHL or AHL deal. Anyway you give players an NHL deal when you believe they've earned it and it's not clear at least to me that the Rangers think that he's quite there yet. Maybe....maybe not. It's in his best interest to try to build off last year on another CHL team and hopefully he can land on a better team than Shawinigan.

 

[cwede]

They should just sign him to an NHL contract. If he signed an AHL deal for this season, could he leave like JAM did?

I believe his NYR rights go to June, typical 2 years for Major Jrs
Sign him to AHL for now, ELC on Mar 1

 

[cwede]

FWIW Shawinigan was 29-34-5 last year. They have only one guy on their roster going into this season (Angus Booth) who has been drafted by an NHL team. They're probably not going to be amongst the best QMJHL teams. I'd expect other QMJHL teams will be interested in Barbashev or even an OHL team...even if it takes a little while to find one. I don't think he'll get much playing time with the Pack if he were to sign an NHL or AHL deal. Anyway you give players an NHL deal when you believe they've earned it and it's not clear at least to me that the Rangers think that he's quite there yet. Maybe....maybe not. It's in his best interest to try to build off last year on another CHL team and hopefully he can land on a better team than Shawinigan.

This all makes sense but as many of us just learned in august the Q has very restricted trade periods, and next is not til ~mid Dec

I guess there is a process where a kid has changed Major Junior leagues but I don’t recall example or situation that allowed it

 

[eco's bones]

This all makes sense but as many of us just learned in august the Q has very restricted trade periods, and next is not til ~mid Dec

I guess there is a process where a kid has changed Major Junior leagues but I don’t recall example or situation that allowed it

It's pretty damned rare for a player to switch leagues these days but it does happen occasionally.

Looking at the Rangers forward positions---Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider, Trocheck, Wheeler, Kakko, Chytil, Lafreniere, Goodrow, Vesey, Pitlick, Bonino--12 guys with the most probability to be on the opening night roster---add to that 1 other guy.

Hartford then looking at---Othmann, Cuylle, Sykora (probably but maybe not but Barbashev is not going to make the difference on that), Belzile, Nash, Brodzinski, Leschyshyn, Blidh, Elson, Edstrom, Trivigno, Berard, Henriksson, Rempe, Korczak with AHL signings Pekar, DiGiacinto, Worrad, Mullin and Panwar. Thinking that an underage Barbashev is going to get regular ice time here is not understanding that pretty much everyone above is ahead of him in terms of hockey experience. 7 have played in the NHL. Othmann, Cuylle, Sykora are arguably our among our best 4 prospects. Even 4 out of 5 of the AHL signing have played in the AHL already.

.....and so far Barbashev has proven to be a very good (not great) QMJHL player. The Rangers might need to help him find a place but I don't think the pros or at least not the AHL is going to be it and because he's out in limbo now is not a good reason to give him an NHL contract.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I believe his NYR rights go to June, typical 2 years for Major Jrs
Sign him to AHL for now, ELC on Mar 1

Correct. NHL rights for Barbashev expire June 1st, 2024.

Signing an AHL deal doesn't affect that. And signing an ELC now, would mean he's RFA in 2026 since he isn't slide eligible (Turning 20 later this calendar year).

Barbashev cannot be traded in the QMJHL at the moment, and he can't be added to the roster unless Shawinigan drops both an import and overage player. Highly unlikely.

I wouldn't be surprised if Barbashev signs an AHL deal with a team not affiliated with the Rangers. It's rare, but not unique. Hunter Skinner did something similar, albeit at the ECHL level, during the 2020-21 season when the OHL season was cancelled.

However, an AHL deal with the Wolf Pack is still most likely. The most recent example I can think of, where a draft pick signed an AHL deal, are the previously mentioned Richard Nejezchleb.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

It's pretty damned rare for a player to switch leagues these days but it does happen occasionally.

Just to add some data:

Since 2010, a total of 28 Import players transferred from the QMJHL to the OHL, and 12 from the QMJHL to the WHL.

 

[savebyrichter94]

Correct. NHL rights for Barbashev expire June 1st, 2024.

Signing an AHL deal doesn't affect that. And signing an ELC now, would mean he's RFA in 2026 since he isn't slide eligible (Turning 20 later this calendar year).

Barbashev cannot be traded in the QMJHL at the moment, and he can't be added to the roster unless Shawinigan drops both an import and overage player. Highly unlikely.

I wouldn't be surprised if Barbashev signs an AHL deal with a team not affiliated with the Rangers. It's rare, but not unique. Hunter Skinner did something similar, albeit at the ECHL level, during the 2020-21 season when the OHL season was cancelled.

However, an AHL deal with the Wolf Pack is still most likely. The most recent example I can think of, where a draft pick signed an AHL deal, are the previously mentioned Richard Nejezchleb.

Haha that name is a blast from the past

 

[eco's bones]

Just to add some data:

Since 2010, a total of 28 Import players transferred from the QMJHL to the OHL, and 12 from the QMJHL to the WHL.

He's become a very good CHL player so I would think some teams would be interested in him. The jump from the CHL to the AHL can be pretty daunting for a 20 year old let alone a 19 year old. His numbers last year were pretty good but don't lead me to believe his upside will ever be more than a bottom 6 NHL forward and loads of players with similar histories fail altogether. To me you really want this guy to do another CHL season and IMO this year is the year that he takes another step and then you sign him.....not sign him before you see more progress. Shawinigan kind of f***ed us.

 

[GAGLine]

He's become a very good CHL player so I would think some teams would be interested in him. The jump from the CHL to the AHL can be pretty daunting for a 20 year old let alone a 19 year old. His numbers last year were pretty good but don't lead me to believe his upside will ever be more than a bottom 6 NHL forward and loads of players with similar histories fail altogether. To me you really want this guy to do another CHL season and IMO this year is the year that he takes another step and then you sign him.....not sign him before you see more progress. Shawinigan kind of f***ed us.

His situation would be the same regardless of the trade. Moncton doesn't have room for him either.

 

[2014nyr]

Kakko wasn't really ready for the NHL in his draft year. All season long he had issues with his skating whether getting knocked over too easily or being after shifts. He improved over the next summer and also started seriously working on his defensive game which was pretty bad and his made good improvement in a lot of areas since season #1.

Sykora doesn't have Kakko's issues. Sykora also doesn't have Kakko's offensive abilities. The size, the strength, ability to cycle and control pucks, the shot or the playmaking skills. He's a different player altogether and his skating for his size is great and he's got an engine---kind of like a Hagelin or a Motte, he can get caught out on the ice on an extended shift and be fine for quite a while. He's also got a good defensive game and is great at harassing the hell out of opponents on the forecheck and the back check. I don't see him becoming a top 6 forward but I do see him becoming a really really good third line winger and if he fights his way onto the Rangers this year it's going to because of things like that and if he does play in Hartford this year I don't think he's that far away from the NHL. It's just temper your expectations that he's not going to be a big scorer.

agree with pretty much all of this, the only think i would say for sykora is i do think top 6 is entirely possible for him. i don't see it being likely his offensive skills turn into a high scoring top 6 player, but i do think his style of play and consistency of effort / a decent skill level could make him a fantastic complimentary piece to a top 6 line. similar to guys like hartman, hymen, fast, konecny, hagel, tanev, gourde etc. there's some range in talent level/temperament there and i'm not comparing him to any one of them directly, more to say they're all high effort/pace/intensity players that bring some flexibility in where they can fit in a lineup, which ultimately is what i see sykora being. on any given season he could be a guy who completes a top 6 line or a lynchpin of a bottom 6 forechecking buzzsaw line. see his fit more dependent on what the rest of your lineup looks like than being a guy who needs a particular role to add value.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Haha that name is a blast from the past

He will have a better career than he did.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Stream for the Rookie game:

WATCH LIVE: PHI@BOS | Preseason (In Network Only) | Philadelphia Flyers

Watch as the Philadelphia Flyers take on the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden.

www.nhl.com

 

[Kords]

Othmann already getting chippy on his first shift

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Here's the full line-up for #NYR tonight in the first Rookie game at PPL Center in Allentown:

Sýkora-Henriksson-Othmann
Edström-Korczak-Berard
Trivigno-McConnel-Barker-Barbashev
Roobrock-Panwar-Rempe

Robertson-Emberson
Scanlin-Barton
McCleary-Petrovski

Garand

 

[Kords]

Rempe one punch dropped a dude named Wisdom

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Matt Rempe (R6, 2020) challenged by Zayde Wisdom and Rempe levels Wisdom with a single punch.

Matt Rempe is 6'7", 240 lbs, for the record. Zayde Wisdom is 5'11", 194 lbs.