Rangers Prospect List (Summer 2021) - #12

[The Crypto Guy]

Ranger's Summer 2021 Prospect Ranking

1. Alexis Lafrenière (F) (2020 Draft - 1st round) (Not Ranked)
2. Nils Lundkvist (D) (2018 Draft - 1st round) (+3)
3. K'Andre Miller (D) (2018 Draft - 1st round ) (+3)
4. Vitali Kravtsov (F) (2018 Draft - 1st round) (Same Rank)
5. Braden Schneider (D) (2020 Draft - 1st round) (Not Ranked)
6. Zac Jones (D) (2019 Draft - 3rd round) (+1)
7. Matthew Robertson (D) (2019 Draft - 2nd round) (+6)
8. Brennan Othmann (F) (2021 Draft - 1st round) (Not Ranked)
9. Morgan Barron (F) (2017 Draft - 6th round) (+2)
10. Julien Gauthier (F) (2016 Draft - 1st round) (Not Ranked)
11. Brett Berard (F) (2020 Draft - 5th round) (Not Ranked)

ADDED: Justin Richards (F)
Please post who you wanted added!

Player	Pos.	Sh.	DOB	Ht.	Wt.	Team/League	Acquired
Aaltonen, Levi	W	L	01/24/01	5'9"	168	KooKoo/Liiga	Drafted R5 #130 2019
Boyko, Talyn	G	L	10/16/02	6'7"	196	Tri-City Americans/WHL	Drafted R4 #112 2021
Chmelar, Jaroslav	RW	R	07/20/03	6'4"	198		Drafted R5 #144 2021
Ciccolini, Eric	F	R	01/14/01	6'0"	170	Michigan Wolverines/B10	Drafted R7 #205 2019
Edström, Adam	F	L	10/12/00	6'8"	225	Rögle BK/SHL	Drafted R6 #161 2019
Elmer, Jake	RW	R	12/31/98	6'1"	190		Signed as UDFA 2019
Gettinger, Tim	LW	L	04/14/98	6'6"	218		Drafted R5 #141 2016
Grubbe, Jayden	C	R	01/12/03	6'3"	200	Red Deer Rebels/WHL	Drafted R3 #65 2021
Henriksson, Karl	C/LW	L	02/05/01	5'9"	174	Frölunda HC/SHL	Drafted R2 #58 2019
Hughes, Riley	W	R	06/27/00	6'2"	195	Northeastern Huskies/HEA	Drafted R7 #216 2018
Húska, Adam	G	L	05/12/97	6'4"	218		Drafted R7 #184 2015
Kempf, Hank	D	L	04/15/02	6'2"	190	Cornell Big Red/ECAC	Drafted R7 #208 2021
Khodorenko, Patrick	C	L	10/13/98	6'0"	198		Signed as UDFA 2020
Kjellberg, Simon	D	L	02/17/00	6'3"	190	RPI Engineers/ECAC	Drafted R6 #163 2018
Korczak, Ryder	C	R	09/23/02	5'11"	174	Moose Jaw Warriors/WHL	Drafted R3 #75 2021
Lamb, Brody	RW	R	08/30/03	6'1"	165	Green Bay Gamblers/USHL	Drafted R4 #104 2021
Lindbom, Olof	G	L	07/23/00	6'2"	183	Kristianstads IK/Allsvenskan	Drafted R2 #39 2018
Ollas, Hugo	G	L	04/24/02	6'8"	238	Merrimack Warriors/HEA	Drafted R7 #197 2020
Ragnarsson, Jacob	D	L	09/23/99	6'0"	176	Almtuna IS/Allsvenskan	Drafted R3 #70 2018
Rempe, Matthew	C	L	06/29/02	6'8"	240	Seattle Thunderbirds/WHL	Drafted R6 #165 2020
Ronning, Ty	RW	R	10/20/97	5'9"	178		Drafted R7 #201 2016
Rueschhoff, Austin	C/RW	R	09/07/97	6'7"	230		Signed as UDFA 2020
Skinner, Hunter	D	R	04/29/01	6'2"	187		Drafted R4 #112 2019
Tärnström, Oliver	C/LW	L	08/30/02	6'0"	159	Rögle BK J20/J20 Nationell	Drafted R3 #92 2020
Väisänen, Kalle	LW	R	01/28/03	6'4"	178	HC TPS/Liiga	Drafted R4 #106 2021
Vierling, Evan	C	L	06/20/02	6'0"	167	Barrie Colts/OHL	Drafted R5 #127 2020
Wall, Tyler	G	L	01/14/98	6'3"	214		Drafted R6 #174 2016

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

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[Edge]

You do have to chuckle looking at some of these heights. We have six guys who are between 6'6 and 6'8.

Went with Cuylle. His work as a pro last year was very promising, especially considering his age.

Underrated skill set there as well.

 

[Kodiak]

Kinda crazy how Pajuniemi has finished in the top 10 in goals in Finland the past two seasons and we're still looking at him like "Yeah, we'll get to you whenever". On most teams, it feels like he would be shooting up the prospect list.

Anyway, voted Cuylle. Add Skinner.

EDIT: Finland, not Sweden

 

[darko]

Tarmo add Grubbe

 

[Fitzy]

1-5, 6-9, and 10-15 are going to be pretty distinctive 'tiers' in terms of value for the prospects.

 

[nyr2k2]

Add Edström who isn't flashy but still has a good shot at being a versatile, effective fourth line player for us.

 

[nyr2k2]

Kinda crazy how Pajuniemi has finished in the top 10 in goals in Sweden the past two seasons and we're still looking at him like "Yeah, we'll get to you whenever". On most teams, it feels like he would be shooting up the prospect list./

He was with TPS in Finland. I actually think if he was playing in the Swedish League, he probably would be higher up the list. Liiga is quite a bit behind the SHL at this point, IMO. What he did is still impressive though and I actually voted for him here, ahead of Cuylle who I really like.

 

[Edge]

Kinda crazy how Pajuniemi has finished in the top 10 in goals in Sweden the past two seasons and we're still looking at him like "Yeah, we'll get to you whenever". On most teams, it feels like he would be shooting up the prospect list.

Anyway, voted Cuylle. Add Skinner.

I think it's probably because his window to find a niche is a little thinner that other options.

If he's not a scoring winger, it's not like he's a defensive specialist or stop-gap option. Then you ask yourself, how does the offensive game and is it likely to translate? The answer is maybe. But he's never quite stood out as a guy makes you feel reasonably comfortable saying he's going to net his 20 goals in the NHL.

As a result, he tends to slide down these lists because there's typically someone with a clearer path, or seemingly with a more translatable game. It's kind of like that kid who everyone likes at the draft, but who ends up sliding.

 

[cwede]

add Skinner

 

[n8]

Paju, add Huska

 

[n8]

I think it's probably because his window to find a niche is a little thinner that other options.

If he's not a scoring winger, it's not like he's a defensive specialist or stop-gap option. Then you ask yourself, how does the offensive game and is it likely to translate? The answer is maybe. But he's never quite stood out as a guy makes you feel reasonably comfortable saying he's going to net his 20 goals in the NHL.

As a result, he tends to slide down these lists because there's typically someone with a clearer path, or seemingly with a more translatable game. It's kind of like that kid who everyone likes at the draft, but who ends up sliding.

I voted Paju but this makes sense. Like Berard is probably a pretty sure thing as a fourth liner+. Paju needs to make it as a scorer so maybe he's first stint Jan Hlavac or maybe he's second stint Jan Hlavac. Or maybe he's a Daniel Goneau. Also I think there is also that Euro-bias of "will his game translate to NA ice?"

 

[Edge]

I voted Paju but this makes sense. Like Berard is probably a pretty sure thing as a fourth liner+. Paju needs to make it as a scorer so maybe he's first stint Jan Hlavac or maybe he's second stint Jan Hlavac. Or maybe he's a Daniel Goneau. Also I think there is also that Euro-bias of "will his game translate to NA ice?"

I feel like we're going to have an idea in pretty short order what we have with him. If the goal scoring and offense doesn't translate to the AHL, I don't think we're looking at a guy who is going to re-invent himself over two or three years. I think we'll know if the relationship is continuing or not.

Some of the other options feel more like slow cooker recipes. I don't know if that's the case with Paju.

 

[nyr2k2]

I feel like we're going to have an idea in pretty short order what we have with him. If the goal scoring and offense doesn't translate to the AHL, I don't think we're looking at a guy who is going to re-invent himself over two or three years. I think we'll know if the relationship is continuing or not.

Some of the other options feel more like slow cooker recipes. I don't know if that's the case with Paju.

I know he's younger than both Ville Meskanen and Malte Stromwall, but those were two similar types of players who relied on time and space to get their shots off, as well as ample PP time. With Stromwall it was pretty apparent that he wasn't going to be able to make it; Meskanen looked promising that first year but disappeared in his second. I think Pajuniemi, like you said, will similarly show pretty early whether his game is going to translate.

Or someone like Gropp. I think the only reason he had the leash that he did was because we invested a second round pick in him. But again, it was fairly clear early on he couldn't play at the pace, and with the lack of space afforded to him, as a pro.

 

[Edge]

I know he's younger than both Ville Meskanen and Malte Stromwall, but those were two similar types of players who relied on time and space to get their shots off, as well as ample PP time. With Stromwall it was pretty apparent that he wasn't going to be able to make it; Meskanen looked promising that first year but disappeared in his second. I think Pajuniemi, like you said, will similarly show pretty early whether his game is going to translate.

Or someone like Gropp. I think the only reason he had the leash that he did was because we invested a second round pick in him. But again, it was fairly clear early on he couldn't play at the pace, and with the lack of space afforded to him, as a pro.

What's really funny with Gropp is that when you see him live, he stands out quite a bit. You can see why he was a second round pick and what a scout would've seen in him.

His natural ability is apparent, especially in comparison to the average AHL player. He had good speed, size, etc. But there wasn't a focal point for those abilities. In other words, you have all these attributes and they go nowhere. He never developed that instinct to go into the middle, or to get into the high percentage areas that played to his strengths.

It was really interesting to see in person at the AHL level, because your eyes drifted to him immediately. The downside is that when he didn't do anything, you were already right there to see it.

At the risk of scaring people, Othmann's game has some similarities to Gropp. The difference is that Othmann is way ahead of where Gropp was in terms of adjusting and applying what he's developed to strengthen his game. But there's a weird similarity there when you watch them side-by-side.

 

[n8]

I feel like we're going to have an idea in pretty short order what we have with him. If the goal scoring and offense doesn't translate to the AHL, I don't think we're looking at a guy who is going to re-invent himself over two or three years. I think we'll know if the relationship is continuing or not.

Some of the other options feel more like slow cooker recipes. I don't know if that's the case with Paju.

Ty Ronning seemed to turn the corner last year. Not sure how to interpret that.

 

[Edge]

Ty Ronning seemed to turn the corner last year. Not sure how to interpret that.

Ty Ronning is probably drifting a little closer to maybe turning himself into a Colin Blackwell type player down the line. But I don't know if that's quite the same potential path for Paju.

 

[Edge]

I will say that I'm a little surprised Berard beat Cuylle for the 11 spot. I think you can make an argument for him there, but I think Cuylle is probably ahead of him.

Berard had the really hood WJC, and a somewhat up and down year in college. Cuylle had the experience against the pros and really didn't look out of place as a teenager going against men. Berard is a little zippier, maybe even a little sexier in some ways. But Cuylle might be a little more likely to translate his game.

It's a fair argument though.

I think Cuylle learned a lot last season and is going to apply that to his game in the OHL. Really looking forward to seeing what he can do.

 

[NYR425]

Cuylie add Grubbe

 

[bmoak]

Cuylle. Add Grubbe.

 

[Kendo]

Coolie, add Korczak.

 

[Barnaby]

Cuylle, think he should've gone a couple spots higher... Garand is my #2

Add Skinner

 

[n8]

You do have to chuckle looking at some of these heights. We have six guys who are between 6'6 and 6'8.

Went with Cuylle. His work as a pro last year was very promising, especially considering his age.

Underrated skill set there as well.

Would be wild to see a line of Edström-Rempe-Rueschhoff in HFD next year. Don't think the former two have ELCs yet.

 

[Harbour Dog]

Cuylle, add Vierling.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Cuylle, add Skinner.

 

[CTRanger]

Add Grubbe