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Prospect Info: Rangers Prospect Thread (Player Stats/Info in Post #1; Updated 5.12.20)

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Tawnos said:
You would leave every player in Europe another year. :laugh:
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With Pajuniemi, it makes sense. 1 good year in Liiga doesn't make him ready to move. Paired with his rights only expiring in 2022, they have time. Signing him in 2021 makes the most sense. Go the Jesper Fast route.

Sign ELC at age 21, loaned back to their EU team
Play in Hartford at age 22
Play in New York at age 23
 
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Ola said:
Amen. With these guys, it’s absolutely essential that you consider (i) what they need to be successful at — any level — and (ii) what role you can afford that player in the team in question, in this case Hartford.

Michael Lindqvist is one great example. He is just like Vinny Lettieri and Lauri Pajuniemi an expert shooter form the left side on the PP. When Lindqvist came to HFD, VL was established and did really well in that role. Any player need to adjust to new league and teammates and what not, to do that it is usually a tremendous help if you have a platform to stand on. A role you can play and produce in, while you grow in to the rest of the aspects of the game.

If we bring in Pajuniemi to HFD and he at most get 20 sec on the tail end of PPs behind Vinny and nobody that passes him the puck ever while he plays with two really really one dimensional checkers (Belesky, Nieves and the likes) 5 on 5 — we should just not even bother. That is no environment to develop in for a young kid. Just like Lindqvist he would get really limited production, confidence is pressured, most aspects of his game is hurt while he only marginally improves his ability to play like say a Jed Ortmayer.

How they treat Pajuniemi is a great test for how far this organization has come and whether HFD will continue to be a disaster ruining kids or actually be able to do some good.
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The AHL is a very defensively structure league and it's tough to play in. It's all about taking away time and space 100% of the time and for young Europeans there is also the smaller ice surface thing which also increases the physical side of the game. All that takes something away from players who are more skilled/creative. One of the reasons I think Chytil did so well is because he's kind of a manchild--built like Zibanejad--the size, strength, skill combination helped him to get time and space to work with. He's a load to deal with.

One of the encouraging things about Pajuniemi this year though is leading his league in shots taken--252. That's a good mentality to have and it's also something that Hartford needs. A guy who won't hesitate to get pucks to the net is an asset--always looking to shoot. That's what has made Lettieri successful at the AHL level.
 
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eco's bones said:
The AHL is a very defensively structure league and it's tough to play in. It's all about taking away time and space 100% of the time and for young Europeans there is also the smaller ice surface thing which also increases the physical side of the game. All that takes something away from players who are more skilled/creative. One of the reasons I think Chytil did so well is because he's kind of a manchild--built like Zibanejad--the size, strength, skill combination helped him to get time and space to work with. He's a load to deal with.

One of the encouraging things about Pajuniemi this year though is leading his league in shots taken--252. That's a good mentality to have and it's also something that Hartford needs. A guy who won't hesitate to get pucks to the net is an asset--always looking to shoot. That's what has made Lettieri successful at the AHL level.
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Also, what is Chytil best at? Driving up ice at full speed, going wide on a D and driving to the net. It doesn’t involve much passing. He fits well with strong wingers that can win board battles and get him the puck at center ice.

Very different player type than Pajuniemi and the likes.
 
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Ola said:
Also, what is Chytil best at? Driving up ice at full speed, going wide on a D and driving to the net. It doesn’t involve much passing. He fits well with strong wingers that can win board battles and get him the puck at center ice.

Very different player type than Pajuniemi and the likes.
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Filip has extraordinary leg drive. He's built similar to Jagr there. He's a powerful kid. I think one of his issues is he hasn't all together figured out how to use it to his advantage but if/when he does that's when his game breaks out. Another guy like that is Tomas Hertl. When a player has multiple assets like size, strength, skating and puck skills---passing, shooting all that combined it's a dangerous combination. I have a lot of hope for Filip. And Kakko is pretty much in the same category. Most players don't have all those things going for them.
 
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eco's bones said:
Filip has extraordinary leg drive. He's built similar to Jagr there. He's a powerful kid. I think one of his issues is he hasn't all together figured out how to use it to his advantage but if/when he does that's when his game breaks out. Another guy like that is Tomas Hertl. When a player has multiple assets like size, strength, skating and puck skills---passing, shooting all that combined it's a dangerous combination. I have a lot of hope for Filip. And Kakko is pretty much in the same category. Most players don't have all those things going for them.
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I agree for sure.

Just saying, "look at Chytil, a good prospect can produce in the AHL" is a really flawed argument.

I would never for a second state that a talented 1-dimensional European PMD has any excuse whatsoever to not produce in the AHL. Why? The conditions are completely different for that player compared to say Pajuniemi. The Ds have a much easier time to produce in the AHL than in the SHL. First of all, the Ds often start of with the puck. They don't need a pass to get it to the same extent as a forward does, they don't need someone to play with basically. Second of all, in the AHL, the play is pushed really deep in the attacking zone. Pucks are put into the corners. When you win a puck deep the D is often the only alternative to move it through, and all player types utilize the Ds in the attacking zone, the AHL and HFD is no exception.

Offensively talented prospects and forwards play offensive hockey very very differently than HFD does. If you can't give a kid like Pajuniemi PP time, and he plays on a 2-3 line in HFD with the likes of Belesky, Fogarty, Nieves, Gettinger, Gropp, Vinny L and the likes -- its a total waste of time.

But if you can give him PP time, then I think HFD would be a really good option for him. He got that shot, he will get production from it. As long as a kid get decent production, he will build confidence, meanwhile he can develop into the specifics of the play away from the puck in NA, the smaller ice etc.

And, this must be obvious to the organization today. Its completely unacceptable to treat it like a throw spaghetti at the wall thing, starting with getting players into camp and take it from there -- like we have seen in the past.
 
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Ola said:
I agree for sure.

Just saying, "look at Chytil, a good prospect can produce in the AHL" is a really flawed argument.

I would never for a second state that a talented 1-dimensional European PMD has any excuse whatsoever to not produce in the AHL. Why? The conditions are completely different for that player compared to say Pajuniemi. The Ds have a much easier time to produce in the AHL than in the SHL. First of all, the Ds often start of with the puck. They don't need a pass to get it to the same extent as a forward does, they don't need someone to play with basically. Second of all, in the AHL, the play is pushed really deep in the attacking zone. Pucks are put into the corners. When you win a puck deep the D is often the only alternative to move it through, and all player types utilize the Ds in the attacking zone, the AHL and HFD is no exception.

Offensively talented prospects and forwards play offensive hockey very very differently than HFD does. If you can't give a kid like Pajuniemi PP time, and he plays on a 2-3 line in HFD with the likes of Belesky, Fogarty, Nieves, Gettinger, Gropp, Vinny L and the likes -- its a total waste of time.

But if you can give him PP time, then I think HFD would be a really good option for him. He got that shot, he will get production from it. As long as a kid get decent production, he will build confidence, meanwhile he can develop into the specifics of the play away from the puck in NA, the smaller ice etc.

And, this must be obvious to the organization today. Its completely unacceptable to treat it like a throw spaghetti at the wall thing, starting with getting players into camp and take it from there -- like we have seen in the past.
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Well the thing different about Pajuniemi this year is he's shooting the puck. He gets an opportunity and he doesn't pass it up--not hesitating or waiting too long and letting the opportunity disappear. That's a hard lesson to learn for some players. It's held back Kakko all year long--just an extra moment and a glorious opportunity disappears. I agree with Pajuniemi--he's not a guy I'd really want sitting on a 3rd or 4th line in the AHL. If he ever makes it to the NHL that may be where he ends up but in the AHL he needs the opportunity to bring out his offensive game as much as possible. Put prospects in situations where they can play to their strengths.

Lettieri though is really a 1st liner at the AHL level....and Fogarty has become a legit 2nd line AHL player. A 50 point guy these days in that league is 1st line and someone who can put up or pro rate 40+ is 2nd line. It's a defensively tight league.
 
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For what it's worth, Pajuniemi apparently posted a collage of pics from the season thanking everyone with #hctps. Could be just because the season is over, or it could be a farewell to TPS. He still has a contract for another year, so maybe he is going to come over after the summer. I don't see any club in Europe buying out his contract.
 
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LOFIN said:
For what it's worth, Pajuniemi apparently posted a collage of pics from the season thanking everyone with #hctps. Could be just because the season is over, or it could be a farewell to TPS. He still has a contract for another year, so maybe he is going to come over after the summer. I don't see any club in Europe buying out his contract.
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Him being under contract just means the NHL pays a transfer fee if the Rangers decide to sign him.
 
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Every March the website "Last Word on Hockey" releases its analysis of the top NCAA free agents. This morning the LWOH releases the first two parts of its five part series. This is not a ranking, just a listing of the top players arranged in alphabetical order. 2020 College Hockey Free Agents - Part 2 - Last Word on Hockey. You can link to part 1 from part 2.

In part two, the analysis addresses Zach Giuttari:

"Zach Giuttari, Right Defence, Brown University, 6’2″ 190 lbs, Senior

Signed an ATO with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL Affiliate of the New York Rangers).
Giuttari was the captain of the Brown Bears. He put up four goals and 15 points in 31 games this season. Brown played huge minutes for the Black Bears, often logging between 25 and 30 minutes a night and playing in all situations. Giuttari is an above-average skater with good speed in both directions. He also shows good pivots, edgework and agility. This allows him to get around the ice with ease and helps him to play a two-way game. While he doesn’t make a lot of highlight-reel plays, Giuttari is a steady defender who usually makes the smart play."

Brown was terrible this year finishing 9th in the ECAC and failing to make the cancelled ECAC playoff. He tied for the team lead in points, something that is not usual for a defenseman. Perhaps the Rangers found a nugget in an otherwise below average team.

Patrick Khodorenko should be in the third part of the series.
 
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Ranger Ric said:
Every March the website "Last Word on Hockey" releases its analysis of the top NCAA free agents. This morning the LWOH releases the first two parts of its five part series. This is not a ranking, just a listing of the top players arranged in alphabetical order. 2020 College Hockey Free Agents - Part 2 - Last Word on Hockey. You can link to part 1 from part 2.

In part two, the analysis addresses Zach Giuttari:

"Zach Giuttari, Right Defence, Brown University, 6’2″ 190 lbs, Senior

Signed an ATO with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL Affiliate of the New York Rangers).
Giuttari was the captain of the Brown Bears. He put up four goals and 15 points in 31 games this season. Brown played huge minutes for the Black Bears, often logging between 25 and 30 minutes a night and playing in all situations. Giuttari is an above-average skater with good speed in both directions. He also shows good pivots, edgework and agility. This allows him to get around the ice with ease and helps him to play a two-way game. While he doesn’t make a lot of highlight-reel plays, Giuttari is a steady defender who usually makes the smart play."

Brown was terrible this year finishing 9th in the ECAC and failing to make the cancelled ECAC playoff. He tied for the team lead in points, something that is not usual for a defenseman. Perhaps the Rangers found a nugget in an otherwise below average team.

Patrick Khodorenko should be in the third part of the series.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
Weird comment re ECAC, all teams play, Brown was swept 2 straight at Colgate, ZG got an assist on 1 of Brown's 2 goals
 
LOFIN said:
For what it's worth, Pajuniemi apparently posted a collage of pics from the season thanking everyone with #hctps. Could be just because the season is over, or it could be a farewell to TPS. He still has a contract for another year, so maybe he is going to come over after the summer. I don't see any club in Europe buying out his contract.
Click to expand...
Underrated prospect definitely a top 10 prospect. I hope he signs and comes over
 
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Yes you are correct. Brown swept in first round scoring only 2 goals in 2 games. I neglected to see the games played before the quarterfinals. Thanks for catching.

cwede said:
Thanks.
Weird comment re ECAC, all teams play, Brown was swept 2 straight at Colgate, ZG got an assist on 1 of Brown's 2 goals
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Here is the write up on Khodorenko.

"Following a disappointing loss in the Big Ten Tournament by the Spartans, Khodorenko became one of the first college free agents off the market, signing a deal with the New York Rangers. Despite his team’s disappointing season, Khodorenko put up solid individual numbers. He scored 16 goals and 33 points in 36 games, his third straight season over the 30 point plateau. Khodorenko has good size and pairs that with good balance and strong stickhandling skills. He is tough to knock off the puck and makes plays down low in the cycle game. His strong hockey IQ and good vision allow him to set up teammates, while he also has a good shot and the soft hands to score goals. He will need to work on his speed to really excel at the next level."

Mike O'Leary fron Notre Dame, who signed an ATO with Hartford, did not make the list.

Ranger Ric said:
Every March the website "Last Word on Hockey" releases its analysis of the top NCAA free agents. This morning the LWOH releases the first two parts of its five part series. This is not a ranking, just a listing of the top players arranged in alphabetical order. 2020 College Hockey Free Agents - Part 2 - Last Word on Hockey. You can link to part 1 from part 2.

In part two, the analysis addresses Zach Giuttari:

"Zach Giuttari, Right Defence, Brown University, 6’2″ 190 lbs, Senior

Signed an ATO with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL Affiliate of the New York Rangers).
Giuttari was the captain of the Brown Bears. He put up four goals and 15 points in 31 games this season. Brown played huge minutes for the Black Bears, often logging between 25 and 30 minutes a night and playing in all situations. Giuttari is an above-average skater with good speed in both directions. He also shows good pivots, edgework and agility. This allows him to get around the ice with ease and helps him to play a two-way game. While he doesn’t make a lot of highlight-reel plays, Giuttari is a steady defender who usually makes the smart play."

Brown was terrible this year finishing 9th in the ECAC and failing to make the cancelled ECAC playoff. He tied for the team lead in points, something that is not usual for a defenseman. Perhaps the Rangers found a nugget in an otherwise below average team.

Patrick Khodorenko should be in the third part of the series.
Click to expand...
 
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