Prospect Info: 2024-2025 Rangers Prospects Thread (Prospect Stats in Post #1; Updated 10/13/2024)

eco's bones

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Does he play center at the pro level,or will the Rangers move him to wing like other centers like Edstrom, Rempe, whick makes no sense to me 🤔

Hard to say but often guys who are centers in their European Leagues or College or the CHL end up mostly playing wing. I think people can get too stuck on the issue of centers but also one should keep in mind that often also a player will make it to the NHL because of his adaptability to take on situations or even lesser roles than they've had in other leagues.
 
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kovazub94

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It’s also important to note that there are twice as many wing roles vs centers position so by definition the competition for center spot is more limited with less opportunities.
 

GAGLine

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It’s also important to note that there are twice as many wing roles vs centers position so by definition the competition for center spot is more limited with less opportunities.
True, but we have way more wings than centers in the system, so he'll actually have less competition there.

A lot of centers become wingers when they turn pro, but I think Laba could stick at center.


Laba (Northville, Mich.), took home two awards, winning NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year and the NCHC Three Stars Award. The sophomore claimed the goal-scoring title with 16 tallies in conference play, while his three short-handed goals and six game-winning goals also both led all NCHC players. The New York Rangers draft pick tied for third in conference scoring with 28 points to earn First-Team All-NCHC honors. Laba finished with a +19 mark in 24 NCHC games to lead all players. Overall this season, Laba leads the Tigers with 20 goals and 37 points in 36 games. He was named First Star of the Game seven times in conference play, tied for the most of any player, and earned 45 ‘Three Stars’ points to collect his Three Stars Award.

He is strong defensively, kills penalties, and was 57.1% on faceoffs last year. All of that, and given our dearth of prospect centers, will probably keep him in that position as a pro. If he shows that he can't be a center at the AHL/NHL level, then they can make the switch, but I think they'll definitely slot him as a center to start with.
 

kovazub94

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True, but we have way more wings than centers in the system, so he'll actually have less competition there.

A lot of centers become wingers when they turn pro, but I think Laba could stick at center.

ut I think they'll definitely slot him as a center to start with.
It will be tough here too. He’ll be joining the organization in a year. At least a year in Hartford after will be a norm. From the contract perspective Zibanejad, Trocheck and Chytil will still be here. And even if not it goes to my original point - is he going to be good enough to be a center vs ALL other options potentially available including outside of the organization.
 
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noncents

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It will be tough here too. He’ll be joining the organization in a year. At least a year in Hartford after will be a norm. From the contract perspective Zibanejad, Trocheck and Chytil will still be here. And even if not it goes to my original point - is he going to be good enough to be a center vs ALL other options potentially available including outside of the organization.
Carrick will also still be here!
 

eco's bones

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Hahaha. But Carrick isn’t standing in anyone’s way. 1m AAV that can be waived or buried in Hartford.

Carrick is a cheap veteran contract and if Igor gets his money we're probably going to need a few of those. My guess is Laba might do center in the AHL but if and when he hits the NHL he's going to have some wing time.
 
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bhamill

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Carrick is a cheap veteran contract and if Igor gets his money we're probably going to need a few of those. My guess is Laba might do center in the AHL but if and when he hits the NHL he's going to have some wing time.
Sure but Carrick isnt going to be a roadblock for Laba who will also be cheap. The fact that he’s a veteran is nice, but we do have plenty of vets. And Carrick can also Im sure also play wing. Don’t get me wrong, I like Carrick and his contract, I’m just of a mind that the team wont let Carrick stop them from developing a big young cost controlled center.
 

eco's bones

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Sure but Carrick isnt going to be a roadblock for Laba who will also be cheap. The fact that he’s a veteran is nice, but we do have plenty of vets. And Carrick can also Im sure also play wing. Don’t get me wrong, I like Carrick and his contract, I’m just of a mind that the team wont let Carrick stop them from developing a big young cost controlled center.

Usually a player doesn't jump straight from college to the NHL though. Most often they'll need a year or two in the AHL. Also some likelihood that Laba gets a lot of wing time.

I suspect Igor and Lafreniere are going to get big contracts and K'Andre will do very well with this next one too and the Rangers are going to need a bunch of cheap contracts for the next couple years for cap compliance.....though also the cap continuing to rise could mitigate much of that. As far as other young players on the team whether it's Kakko, Chytil, Schneider, Cuylle, Jones etc. etc.---they're all good players but none of them are break the bank kind of players.
 

noncents

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Usually a player doesn't jump straight from college to the NHL though. Most often they'll need a year or two in the AHL. Also some likelihood that Laba gets a lot of wing time.

I suspect Igor and Lafreniere are going to get big contracts and K'Andre will do very well with this next one too and the Rangers are going to need a bunch of cheap contracts for the next couple years for cap compliance.....though also the cap continuing to rise could mitigate much of that. As far as other young players on the team whether it's Kakko, Chytil, Schneider, Cuylle, Jones etc. etc.---they're all good players but none of them are break the bank kind of players.
yeah it's with those "good but not break bank" players that you can save a little money.

chytil is locked, schneider kakko cuylle jones should be able to get pieced in.

mancini edstrom, 1 middle 6 wing and 2 bottom 6ers from the crop we have developing.

it's not awful. but it looks a lot better if kakko produces 40-50 points and perreault is a stud.
 
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bhamill

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Usually a player doesn't jump straight from college to the NHL though. Most often they'll need a year or two in the AHL. Also some likelihood that Laba gets a lot of wing time.

I suspect Igor and Lafreniere are going to get big contracts and K'Andre will do very well with this next one too and the Rangers are going to need a bunch of cheap contracts for the next couple years for cap compliance.....though also the cap continuing to rise could mitigate much of that. As far as other young players on the team whether it's Kakko, Chytil, Schneider, Cuylle, Jones etc. etc.---they're all good players but none of them are break the bank kind of players.
Sure. I understand he will prob need some AHL time, I don’t think I suggested otherwise… why would that stop the team from developing him as a center?
My point is only that if the team moves him to wing it’s not because he was roadblocked. It’ll simply be because they felt he was better suited as a wing.
If Laba makes it he WILL be one of those cheap ELC contracts they need…
The only impediment I see to Laba making it, as a center, or wing if better suited, would be is if he just isn’t good enough.
 

GoAwayPanarin

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Laba screams C to me in every facet even as he moves up.

Strong on FOs and has been an every situation player for CC. Theres no way they try to push him to wing until he makes the NHL where they may do it as a break in point but I wouldn't be surprised if he's just a C outright and just sticks there.

I'm sure he'll murder it this year and CC has a chance to do some damage and possibly contend for a national title but he's one guy who I'm still annoyed didn't turn pro last year. I'm sure he has his reasons but he would have been able to more than handle the AHL and he'd be a better NHL player than the likes of Rempe right now.

In a lot of ways, he's like the forward version of Mancini - Overage US guy who was panned when taken but has done nothing but take positive steps forward since being drafted except he has numbers that pop off the page a bit.
 
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