LD Ryan Graves - Hartford Wolfpack, AHL (2013, 110th, NYR)
- Thread starter Pavel Buchnevich
- Start date
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Rob Blake II! 
Seriously though, he has very impressive physical potential. Big powerful D who moves quite well and have a tremendously impressive shot (3rd hardest ever in AHL history). And he can use it too. Primary an offensive defensemen, but definitely still a no-nonsense D defensively. No real weakness in his game.
I think he has very good potential to become a solid NHL depth D with a world-class shot. However, Ds in the NHL that are more than that usually nowadays moves tremendously well on the ice. So much defensively is about gap-control and with the puck, in the transition game, so much is about gaining 10th of a seconds here and there by just being really really agile and able to keep speed under your skates. Reading the game well. In these areas Graves definitely have no weakness, but he isn't a stand-out either.
If Graves can gain some ground on the more talented Ds in this area, only the sky is the limit for this kid. But its of course not a given that he can do that.
Very very good draft pick though.
Seriously though, he has very impressive physical potential. Big powerful D who moves quite well and have a tremendously impressive shot (3rd hardest ever in AHL history). And he can use it too. Primary an offensive defensemen, but definitely still a no-nonsense D defensively. No real weakness in his game.
I think he has very good potential to become a solid NHL depth D with a world-class shot. However, Ds in the NHL that are more than that usually nowadays moves tremendously well on the ice. So much defensively is about gap-control and with the puck, in the transition game, so much is about gaining 10th of a seconds here and there by just being really really agile and able to keep speed under your skates. Reading the game well. In these areas Graves definitely have no weakness, but he isn't a stand-out either.
If Graves can gain some ground on the more talented Ds in this area, only the sky is the limit for this kid. But its of course not a given that he can do that.
Very very good draft pick though.
SergeConstantin74
Always right.
- Jul 7, 2007
- 12,757
- 8,333
He was in good company. All other 5 players played in the final.
2015 MasterCard Memorial Cup All-Star Team:
Goalie - Ken Appleby (Oshawa Generals)
Defence - Madison Bowey (Kelowna Rockets)
Defence - Ryan Graves (Québec Remparts)
Forward - Nick Merkley (Kelowna Rockets)
Forward - Michael McCarron (Oshawa Generals)
Forward - Michael Dal Colle (Oshawa Generals)
http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/2015-mastercard-memorial-cup-awards-and-all-stars
2015 MasterCard Memorial Cup All-Star Team:
Goalie - Ken Appleby (Oshawa Generals)
Defence - Madison Bowey (Kelowna Rockets)
Defence - Ryan Graves (Québec Remparts)
Forward - Nick Merkley (Kelowna Rockets)
Forward - Michael McCarron (Oshawa Generals)
Forward - Michael Dal Colle (Oshawa Generals)
http://www.mastercardmemorialcup.ca/article/2015-mastercard-memorial-cup-awards-and-all-stars
edguy
Registered User
This kid is a winner on and off the ice. Haha i went to high school with him when he played for the PEI rocket, probably the smartest guy i knew, and by far the nicest.. really hope this guy succeeds because he works hard as hell for everything he has
He was drafted in 2013, not 2015. Huge difference.
No relations to Adam, BTW.
Big kid with good tools. 6'4, great speed. The knock on him is some people question whether or not he has much offense. He's projected to be more of a defensive defense man. Maybe like Jason Garrison.
No relations to Adam, BTW.
Big kid with good tools. 6'4, great speed. The knock on him is some people question whether or not he has much offense. He's projected to be more of a defensive defense man. Maybe like Jason Garrison.
Last edited:
edguy
Registered User
Irishguy42
Mr. Preachy
He was widely considered as one if not THE top defensive-minded dman in the Q in his last years in the league and I always thought he had solid NHL potential even though he was a late rounder.
Good for the Rangers.
The Garrison comparison is pretty good...
Good for the Rangers.
The Garrison comparison is pretty good...
Coppy
Registered User
- Apr 30, 2011
- 2,607
- 5
His skating needs a lot of work. IMO he still needs another year or two in Hartford.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Skinnyjimmy08
WorldTraveler
- Mar 30, 2012
- 23,025
- 12,964
why no talk about him? Looks like he had a pretty good rookie AHL season. Any chance he gets into some NHL games next season?
FoxysExpensiveNYDigs
Boo Nieves Truther
Kid is progressing very nicely, could see some injury/cup of coffee callup time with the Rangers this year. The only thing I wish is that he was a RD, would help fill the massive void the Rangers have on right defence. I think he's got top 4 potential, with 1st unit PP time as a trigger man.
Skinnyjimmy08
WorldTraveler
- Mar 30, 2012
- 23,025
- 12,964
You read my mind cause I was gonna ask if he has potential to be Rangers future PP guy. Seems like they need someone like that to come along soon
Irishguy42
Mr. Preachy
Having watched a few Wolf Pack games live, he's very present on the point and has a knack of finding an open shot. Whether it goes in or not is another story.
He does have a cannon as well, as evident from having the third hardest shot of all time in the All-Star Weekend competition. It's something to behold live.
I think he could develop pretty well as a PP1 trigger man, as well as be in the Top 4.
I also agree that I wish he was a RHD hahaha. Would make things a lot easier.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
15 points in 27 AHL games. 3rd in the AHL in shots from a defenseman, 8th total.
The Rangers AHL team has been a complete disaster this season and the whole system is mostly a disaster, but Graves is one of the few good prospects. He's doing a very good job offensively. I see significant offensive upside in his game. Defensively, he's not bad, but also not that good yet. Still a step slow with his defensive reads. Its really odd how he's went from a defensive defenseman prospect to an offensive defenseman prospect in a few years.
He's very close to being an NHL player though. With Hrivik in the NHL, he might be Hartford's best player. Its likely either him or Jensen. I don't think an NHL call up is far away.
The Rangers AHL team has been a complete disaster this season and the whole system is mostly a disaster, but Graves is one of the few good prospects. He's doing a very good job offensively. I see significant offensive upside in his game. Defensively, he's not bad, but also not that good yet. Still a step slow with his defensive reads. Its really odd how he's went from a defensive defenseman prospect to an offensive defenseman prospect in a few years.
He's very close to being an NHL player though. With Hrivik in the NHL, he might be Hartford's best player. Its likely either him or Jensen. I don't think an NHL call up is far away.
Ana Crusis
Registered User
Thordic
StraightOuttaConklin
- Jul 12, 2006
- 3,013
- 723
Very small chance.
Likely D roster this year:
McD
Smith
Staal
Skjei
Holden
DeAngelo
Kampfer
Berezglazov
Pionk
Graves
Graves and Pionk will start the season in Hartford, as will likely one of Kampfer or Bear Gloves. So he's around 9th or 10th on the depth chart this year. Next year hopefully we are Staal and Holden free and some spots open up.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
McDonagh, Staal, Skjei, Smith and Holden as of now are guys that were on the roster last season. They will be on it next season, except maybe a Holden trade. Add Bereglazov and DeAngelo the two most likely new players to join the roster, and thats seven players. Holden could go into the press box if he isn't traded.
I think the Smith resigning and/or Holden staying on the team effect Graves and Pionk more than anyone. With our current depth, I don't think Kampfer is any more than 7th D depth. He can sit in the press box instead of a younger defensemen, in case its needed. He's a veteran, doesn't need to play.
So if for some reason one of the regulars is injured, I think we either see a situation where Holden is promoted to top 6 with Kampfer going to 7D or Graves or Pionk are promoted to 6D with Holden staying at 7D. I think Graves is ahead of Pionk, and should be the next call up.
So he very likely doesn't start the season in the NHL, but I think he deserves significant NHL playing time this season, and I think there's a decent chance he could get 20 or more games. He's NHL ready, he was our best defenseman in Hartford last season.
I think the Smith resigning and/or Holden staying on the team effect Graves and Pionk more than anyone. With our current depth, I don't think Kampfer is any more than 7th D depth. He can sit in the press box instead of a younger defensemen, in case its needed. He's a veteran, doesn't need to play.
So if for some reason one of the regulars is injured, I think we either see a situation where Holden is promoted to top 6 with Kampfer going to 7D or Graves or Pionk are promoted to 6D with Holden staying at 7D. I think Graves is ahead of Pionk, and should be the next call up.
So he very likely doesn't start the season in the NHL, but I think he deserves significant NHL playing time this season, and I think there's a decent chance he could get 20 or more games. He's NHL ready, he was our best defenseman in Hartford last season.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
I have seen the kid over two dozen times live...
His skating is fine.
Expect he will be in the NHL at some point this year.
He simply doesn't make many mistakes...was very solid on a pretty crappy AHL team...
Matz03
Registered User
I thinks this was purely based on being a righty and as of a few weeks ago no other righty options. I can't imagine Pionk being better than Skjei or McDonagh and making the team out of camp.
Regarding Graves, he'll definitely make his debut this season filling in for injuries at the least. He is just 22 so getting first pair minutes in the ahl definitely won't hurt him either.
