Nick Ritchie is definitely on my radar. I could see him being our pick this coming June. Big, tough power forward with skill. We definitely have to draft this type of player because they are hard to trade for. Alex Tuch also. Good eye Joey Bones !
Julius Honka is something that we need also. A right shooting, puck moving defenseman. Great skater, very skilled, PP quarterback. Just a bit concerned about his size. 5'11/178.
Thank you for the complement on my special eyes Jacques Strap
. Ritchie is a player that the Rangers could use in a remarkable way. Could anyone give me an NHL comparison to him?
Honka is most likely the guy for me. He's playing great, is an offensive righty on the back end, and has Erik Karlsson-like qualities, but the factor is his size. I would think he'll be fine building his stature and growth. There's also Anthony DeAngelo.
Definitely worried about Honka's size. Reminds me a bit of Ryan Ellis coming out. Not sure I take him unless they can find another first.
It's definitely something to note about, but he's still young. He'll definitely gain some weight & grow a few inches. The kid turned 18 a month ago.
Adrian Kempe or Alex Tuch.
Tuch is a beast. Kempe is a little like Landeskog.
Agreed. Would take either one of them.
Team USA used to be known for their power forwards. The 1996 team who upset Canada in Canada was full of elite power forwards/centers -- Leclair, Guerin, Tkachuk, Roenick, Modano, Deadmarsh -- these guys pulverized people.
The Rangers' best hitter is Callahan, with Kreider and Miller getting there. Team USA for 2014 has backes, Brown, Pacioretty and Wheeler but the rest are skill guys.
The Rangers should follow the Bruins blueprint. Their blueline was always massive and hit hard in open ice. Ference, Boychuk, McQuaid, Chara...
Staal was a very good open ice hitter before the concussion. Girardi never was. neither is Del Zotto. McDonagh is still developing. Moore and Stralman avoid contact altogether. They need a guy like Orpik or Foote or Hatcher or Jackman who will make people pay for cutting through the zone.
Hopefully McIlrath is still salvageable, because he'd be perfect in that role.
Use the 1st pick for size and toughness up front. Use the second pick for size and toughness on the back end. Use the 2014 draft for need and if they are sellers at the deadline get as many 2015 picks as possible.
I don't necessarily agree with Stralman avoiding contact completely. He has had some very nice hits, especially with the hip, but I do agree with what you are implying which is why they most likely kept McIlrath for so long.
Wish I had more time to follow prospects this year. Good info guys.
Like what I am hearing about Virtanen, Richie, Honka, Perlini, and Tuch.
Aside from obvious guys like Dal Colle and Draisaitl who will be long shots for the Rangers to nab.
People saying it's a horrible draft are lyers. It's a well above average draft IMO. Not like 2013, but its still got some punch. Players like the ones you mentioned as well as others really have been performing with lots of qualities to crave. If you are bored one day and get the chance to actually view some of them you should. Great talent surfacing this year and years to come. I'm really excited for this time of year & hopefully I'll post some more about them soon and do more mocks.
I actually really like this draft. Moreso than the last couple years. Seems like a lot of depth 10-20.
Agreed. Maybe a few diamonds in the rough.
I think I'd have a real hard time passing on Honka if we're picking in the 10-15 range.
Agreed 100%
If the Rangers go defense in the 1st round I hope they use the pick on Honka. I might lose it if they take Fleury. Honka and a high boom/bust pick up front like Tuch, Ho-Sang, or Schmalz. I wonder if someone like Pastrnak or Nylander will be around at 24-27 too. It shouldn't be tough to acquire another late 1st someway, somehow.
Agreed on Honka, although Fleury isn't bad at all. Much rather would take Julius and his projection.
Would take Tuch and Ho-Sang way before Schmalz. Someone said before that he's worse than Boyle & I would whole heartedly agree. Schmalz would be fine for that 4th line role that Boyle does so well for us already. No need for him in our future.
Pastrnak I feel is going to either rise a lot or fall a lot. I wouldn't mind selecting him in those spots either, but I think Tuch would be a better piece. Nylander will be this year's Teravainen, but will be selected before No. 20, maybe even No. 15.
Fleury is a good player - not sure what would make you so adamant against him.
Schmalz is just a non-factor at this point and he's included only because of his size. Essentially he's a worse Brian Boyle.
I have a strong feeling all the Swedes are going to level the draft board at the U-18s. They may not be there then. Pastrnak is close stylistically to Ehlers.
There's the Boyle statement
