Draft R5 #159: Rangers select Nathan Aspinall (LW, Flint Firebirds/OHL)

[Hunter Gathers]

Unranked (not even a prospect writeup) by HP
Unranked by EP

Per EP:

Nathan Aspinall isn’t the usual towering forward prospect. He’s not a powerful checker or clumsy player. Instead, he’s a fluid, skilled playmaker who might become the rare offensively-inclined 6-foot-7 forward.
For the most part, Aspinall stations himself around the net. He moves across the slot, pushes high, and blocks the goalie views – and while deflecting every puck that comes within his wingspan. And there are flashes of more. He’s a skilled, adaptable passer who feathers pucks through tight seams off the backhand, and even draws defensive pressure to pass through it

.View attachment 889536

I love that he's good with deflections. Bulk him up to 220 and place him in front of the net.

 

[will1066]

We may have our 6'7" Chris Kreider

 

[Hunter Gathers]

This will forever be known as the Matt Rempe draft. It's absurd how many huge players have been drafted.

Look at how insanely gigantic the 6th round is.

Matt Rempe broke the NHL.

 

[Brutananadilewski]

So you pronounce his name Ass-pee-null?

Sounds like something I get after I eat hot wings.

 

[will1066]

Little known: He invented Aspercreme

 

[broadwayblue]

Wait a second. This is hilarious. Read the dart guy's Wiki:

"Aspinall played semi-professional football as a goalkeeper, having once been scouted by Manchester United's academy. He was offered a deal by Rangers but turned it down as his family did not want to move to Scotland. He played in Stockport County's academy until he was 15, joining Cheadle Town. He worked as a trainee accountant before quitting to become a professional darts player."

Different Rangers, obviously, but you can't make this shit up. That's actually legitimately funny.

I like this.

 

[Daves a mess]

Unranked (not even a prospect writeup) by HP
Unranked by EP

Per EP:

Nathan Aspinall isn’t the usual towering forward prospect. He’s not a powerful checker or clumsy player. Instead, he’s a fluid, skilled playmaker who might become the rare offensively-inclined 6-foot-7 forward.
For the most part, Aspinall stations himself around the net. He moves across the slot, pushes high, and blocks the goalie views – and while deflecting every puck that comes within his wingspan. And there are flashes of more. He’s a skilled, adaptable passer who feathers pucks through tight seams off the backhand, and even draws defensive pressure to pass through it

.View attachment 889536

Jeff Toms plus 3 inches?

 

[gravey9]

Say what you will about hockey, but the Rangers basketball team will be awesome! Rempe, Edstrom, Roobroeck, Boyko, and Hugo Ollas are all at least 6-foot-7, and Chmelar can come off the bench as a guard because he's kinda short at 6'5.

Chmelar's new nickname on the Pack is Trivigno.

 

[RangersFan1994]

We may have our 6'7" Chris Kreider

Big and not overly physical. But can he skate like Kreider and score in the playoffs?

 

[ArPanet]

"has the ability to reach his intended destinations on the ice" that's some ESPN level analysis.

 

[Kupo]

Turning into the NY Giants. Not sure how I feel about that?

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Turning into the NY Giants. Not sure how I feel about that?

You'll enjoy your free medium Pepsi.

 

[Uglybstrd]

Turning into the NY Giants. Not sure how I feel about that?

Well, cant teach size....

 

[nsvoyageurs]

Rangers likely saw a bunch of Aspinall is from the same Flint team as Othmann.

Zero highlights. But there are highlights of the darts guy.

This looks like a wasted pick, especially for a team that had so few picks in the draft to begin with. At least take someone with some upside.

 

[GAGLine]

This looks like a wasted pick, especially for a team that had so few picks in the draft to begin with. At least take someone with some upside.

How much upside do you expect to find in the 5th round?

There's value in drafting kids who project to be bottom of the lineup players.

 

[RempireStateBuilding]

Wait a second. This is hilarious. Read the dart guy's Wiki:

"Aspinall played semi-professional football as a goalkeeper, having once been scouted by Manchester United's academy. He was offered a deal by Rangers but turned it down as his family did not want to move to Scotland. He played in Stockport County's academy until he was 15, joining Cheadle Town. He worked as a trainee accountant before quitting to become a professional darts player."

Different Rangers, obviously, but you can't make this shit up. That's actually legitimately funny.

God, it's like they're just throwing darts and seeing where it lands with these picks..

I'll see myself out. Cringed as I hit post with that one.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

There’s still good players to be had in the late rounds but NYR legitimately never hit. Im pretty sure Cuylle/Jones are the only players drafted rounds 2-7 to play 40+ games with the team since Buchnevich was picked

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

There’s still good players to be had in the late rounds but NYR legitimately never hit. Im pretty sure Cuylle/Jones are the only players drafted rounds 2-7 to play 40+ games with the team since Buchnevich was picked

Barron.

More coming.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

Barron.

More coming.

Barron didn’t even play 20 games for NYR

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Barron didn’t even play 20 games for NYR

I missed the with the team part.

My bad

 

[Nickmo82]

Wait a second. This is hilarious. Read the dart guy's Wiki:

"Aspinall played semi-professional football as a goalkeeper, having once been scouted by Manchester United's academy. He was offered a deal by Rangers but turned it down as his family did not want to move to Scotland. He played in Stockport County's academy until he was 15, joining Cheadle Town. He worked as a trainee accountant before quitting to become a professional darts player."

Different Rangers, obviously, but you can't make this shit up. That's actually legitimately funny.

Not wanting to move to Scotland and choosing Stockport instead is like not wanting to move to Canada and choosing to go live in Flint or something other backwards ass dump. It's an industrial revolution hangover shit hole.

 

[nsvoyageurs]

How much upside do you expect to find in the 5th round?

There's value in drafting kids who project to be bottom of the lineup players.

I don't disagree there is value in drafting to project for the bottom lines. From what I had read, I don't know how much upside this kid has. What what I've seen, what's being predicted for him is the same as what's been projected for Matt Rempe (how he turns out, we'll see). Projects. Maybe I'm fussy, but would've like someone who is a little further along in their development. That may be just me though; I could be wrong; I hope I am.

 

[jniklast]

I thought he played darts

 

[JimmyG89]

I thought he played darts

If he hits, can we all come in here and say bullseye! Or 180! Would be appropriate

 

[Brock]

More info on Aspinall for you.

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