Prospect Info: Rangers Prospect Poll: #5

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Are their ceilings that different? Nieves has some offense to him. He doesn't shoot as much and won't touch a PP unit but he's got other tools that Lettieri doesn't... kills penalties, plays the more important position, has the size, I'd even give him the edge in foot speed.

I can see either, but I think Nieves gets a lot of undo criticism for following a trajectory most people saw from the beginning. He's a 2nd round pick from six years ago without top 6 upside... I can understand the underwhelmed feeling.

Both are different players but Lettieri has adjusted better and quicker to pro-hockey than Nieves. I think they are close to equal, but to assume Nieves is the better player because he is better now (1 full pro-year more than Lettieri) is not the right reasoning.

 

[NYR Viper]

Went Nieves as he’s having a real nice rookie season. Add Gropp, the man on fire in the AHL

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Went Nieves as he’s having a real nice rookie season. Add Gropp, the man on fire in the AHL

Is he?

Not really doing anything to stand out to me. Vinni's ceiling looks much higher than Boo, who a year younger, more productive minor league player, and much more offensive skilled.

Gropp has 5 points in the last 10 games, not really on fire either. Has bust written all over him IMO.

 

[Edge]

Nieves is what he is. A guy whose speed allows him to play a defensive role.

The question is and always has been whether there is enough to his game besides speed to make him a top fourth line player, or an average one who bounces around a lot. There have been times he's looked good. There have been other times where he's just there. Right now, he reminds me a lot of Sjostrom - a guy who can kill penalties and plays a "specialist" role. I get a little concerned when people start over-projecting him and putting him on third lines and other roles.

As for Lettieri, I'd say he's a different kind of player than Nieves. He projects to be more of an energy guy, potentially bringing more offense to his role. But I don't see him as the penalty killer that Nieves is. I'd also argue that Lettieri probably has better odds of being a third line player than Nieves, because of said offensive elements. But we also have to keep in mind that our sample size is significantly smaller.

Personally, I'd rate Lettieri ahead of Nieves based on the edge with potential versus Nieves kind of being what he is at this point.