Prospect Info: Rangers Prospect Thread (Player Stats/Info in Post #1; Updated 5.24.21)

[True Blue]

I think the chances of the Rangers running with 3 sub 6 foot defensemen long term are about on par with Tony DeAngelo coming back and being captain of the Rangers.

This times 10

 

[Vitto79]

Not much of a prospect anymore I guess but is Rykov going to Hartford soon ?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Not much of a prospect anymore I guess but is Rykov going to Hartford soon ?

I completely forgot about him. PB's least favorite defenseman (Miller) taking time away from PB's favorite defenseman (Rykov) in the NHL.

 

[nyr2k2]

Not much of a prospect anymore I guess but is Rykov going to Hartford soon ?

He could come when his season is over, but he plays for CSKA and they're #2 in the entire league at the moment. They could be playing into late April. Hartford's season ends May 6. There's also no guarantee the Rangers would even ask him to come over, even if CSKA went out early and he had time.

I could see him going the Nick Jensen route--getting a QO from the team but not signing it, and instead staying in Russia. Though it's no sure thing the Rangers would give him the QO.

 

[cwede]

Not much of a prospect anymore I guess but is Rykov going to Hartford soon ?

His full season, so far, in K, has helped support that his mediocre season, last, was related to the serious injury at Traverse before full camp.

I believe he still has value.
Can be considered close to NHL ready
but maybe to another NHL team, as NYR has deep LHD bench and pipeline

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

His full season, so far, in K, has helped support that his mediocre season, last, was related to the serious injury at Traverse before full camp.

I believe he still has value.
Can be considered close to NHL ready
but maybe to another NHL team, as NYR has deep LHD bench and pipeline

Like @nyr2k2 suggested, he probably won't sign his QO, stay in the KHL and we retain his rights until 2024. RFA rights expire on July 1st at age 27 if the player has already been under contract so we probably won't get much in a possible trade

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

wow I did not realize Hunter Skinner was playing in ECHL, and he is doing good too. Youngest player on that team. How did he manage to get signed and get playing time over there at 19 years?

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

8 min for Tarnstrom? Jeez..

All these Tarnstroms, Henrikssons, Aaltonens, Ragnarssons, etc. are just wasted picks by scouts that should have been fired.

 

[nyr2k2]

wow I did not realize Hunter Skinner was playing in ECHL, and he is doing good too. Youngest player on that team. How did he manage to get signed and get playing time over there at 19 years?

The OHL is still suspended. As such he could sign an AHL or ECHL deal, just like Cuylle (another OHL player in the AHL for us) and Schneider, Robertson, and Garand.

 

[eco's bones]

All these Tarnstroms, Henrikssons, Aaltonens, Ragnarssons, etc. are just wasted picks by scouts that should have been fired.

You're basically talking about 19/20 year olds here.....and IMO it's a little early to give up on all of them.

Any case generally if a team can get two good NHL players out of any given draft it's doing pretty well......and generally speaking teams rank players after much debate and discussion between the entire scouting staff. It's not necessarily like this or that scout is completely responsible for the drafting of any given player but really if you're going to be firing scouts every time a player doesn't work out sooner rather than later people ain't going to want to work for you and some might start thinking their employment might be safer somewhere else.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

The OHL is still suspended. As such he could sign an AHL or ECHL deal, just like Cuylle (another OHL player in the AHL for us) and Schneider, Robertson, and Garand.

yes I know, but there were probably so many more proven and higher profile players looking for a job/playing time these days. Surprised he was able to get in.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

You're basically talking about 19/20 year olds here.....and IMO it's a little early to give up on all of them.

Any case generally if a team can get two good NHL players out of any given draft it's doing pretty well......and generally speaking teams rank players after much debate and discussion between the entire scouting staff. It's not necessarily like this or that scout is completely responsible for the drafting of any given player but really if you're going to be firing scouts every time a player doesn't work out sooner rather than later people ain't going to want to work for you and some might start thinking their employment might be safer somewhere else.

He's also complaining about a 3rd, 2nd, 5th and 3rd round pick, all European, but fails to mention Hughes, Ciccolini, Crawley, Rempe or Vierling. I wonder why.

It's too early to judge any of these prospects, and some will make it, most of them won't. That's what happens with players picked in later rounds.

 

[cwede]

All these Tarnstroms, Henrikssons, Aaltonens, Ragnarssons, etc. are just wasted picks by scouts that should have been fired.

You're basically talking about 19/20 year olds here.....and IMO it's a little early to give up on all of them. Any case generally if a team can get two good NHL players out of any given draft it's doing pretty well...

Henriksson and Aaltoned made Wheelere's rankings at TheAthletic,

Tarnstrom was one of the youngest kids (even now, not yet '18-1/2') drafted, and has been bounced around 3 different leagues

Tarmo and Lindgren(by Bruins) were drafted in '16 and just launching their NHL careers now

me, i dont form firm judgemenets of young players until during/after their 2nd contracts, or maybe til about age 24.
Yes, more than ever, SOME precocious kids make NHL impact close to age 20,
but for most players its a longer, up and down, path.
And especially for players drafted outside ~top 50, that's totally to be expected
You draft the kids for what they will become eventually, not right away.

 

[nyr2k2]

yes I know, but there were probably so many more proven and higher profile players looking for a job/playing time these days. Surprised he was able to get in.

Lots more spots for kids as the NHL teams went youth-heavy with the abbreviated schedules in the AHL and ECHL, and quite a few NA pros signed in Europe early on when it was unclear if there would even be an AHL or ECHL season.

I'm not surprised he found a spot (he'd definitely be in Maine if they fielded a team) but I am surprised by his production.

 

[nyr2k2]

All these Tarnstroms, Henrikssons, Aaltonens, Ragnarssons, etc. are just wasted picks by scouts that should have been fired.

Aaltonen was a good gamble I think. The other three, Ragnarsson was the one I had the biggest problem with. Henriksson hasn't shown a whole lot but is still young and it's way too early to know with Tärnström.

These guys were all selected in spots where the chances of them not making it are exponentially higher than them making it.

 

[eco's bones]

He's also complaining about a 3rd, 2nd, 5th and 3rd round pick, all European, but fails to mention Hughes, Ciccolini, Crawley, Rempe or Vierling. I wonder why.

It's too early to judge any of these prospects, and some will make it, most of them won't. That's what happens with players picked in later rounds.

It's the nature of things that most players in a draft won't make it. Drafting 17 and 18 year olds is not just a skills game--it's where they go from there and how they develop and how they're able to impact their particular teams and what happens when they're up against older, stronger and more experienced players. Getting drafted is a big step for a player but there are a bunch of other steps that have to be taken successfully to get any of them in the NHL. Sometimes then it's not about being the big shot on your team anymore but finding a niche to fit in on a 3rd or 4th line---or such has been the journey of someone like Di Giuseppe---and it can take a while.

What is it with people who always think you solve problems by firing people anyway?

As far as the targeting of Europeans by the poster. This seems to happen at least several times a year from one poster or another and yeah it's gotten old.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

my problem with those picks (besides Ragnarsson) is even if they somehow make it they are too soft/small to be good grinders, and they are so good that they would be top 6 forwards in NHL. Ragnarsson is a Dman, he might be decent, but there are a ton of players just like him or better in AHL ready to play for minimum salary in NHL.

 

[Fitzy]

yes I know, but there were probably so many more proven and higher profile players looking for a job/playing time these days. Surprised he was able to get in.

The ECHL pays little more than the average American wage.

Add in having to travel around so much and it isn't a tradeoff that a lot of men, especially married ones with kids, want to live. Most guys I played with/ know who went to the ECHL did it for a season or two, then took a day job when they were ready to settle down.

Playing in the old CHL or FHL was effectively a part time hobby

 

[nyr2k2]

The ECHL pays little more than the average American wage.

Add in having to travel around so much and it isn't a tradeoff that a lot of men, especially married ones with kids, want to live. Most guys I played with/ know who went to the ECHL did it for a season or two, then took a day job when they were ready to settle down.

Playing in the old CHL or FHL was effectively a part time hobby

Yeah and the salaries this season are prorated. If you're playing in the ECHL this year it's because you really love the game or are really clinging on to some hope of making it.

The old FHL, that's semipro now. The good players make a few hundred per week. The CHL wasn't much different but there were some small travel stipends and things and because of the travel involved there it was hard to have a day job, unless they accommodated your schedule. Same for the SPHL and similar low-minor leagues. I knew a couple guys that did the ECHL thing and both got tryouts with Hershey in the AHL. I didn't talk to them after I graduated from that community college but through Facebook I know both were out of hockey within a couple years.

I'm sure from your time in the game you know a ton of guys like that, as the NCAA guys seem to make up a large percentage of guys in the low minors. A lot of guys from Canadian juniors take the opportunity to go to university and play U-Sports before maybe trying pro for a year or two and then eventually calling it quits.

 

[kovazub94]

It's the nature of things that most players in a draft won't make it. Drafting 17 and 18 year olds is not just a skills game--it's where they go from there and how they develop and how they're able to impact their particular teams and what happens when they're up against older, stronger and more experienced players. Getting drafted is a big step for a player but there are a bunch of other steps that have to be taken successfully to get any of them in the NHL. Sometimes then it's not about being the big shot on your team anymore but finding a niche to fit in on a 3rd or 4th line---or such has been the journey of someone like Di Giuseppe---and it can take a while.

What is it with people who always think you solve problems by firing people anyway?

As far as the targeting of Europeans by the poster. This seems to happen at least several times a year from one poster or another and yeah it's gotten old.

Most fans say it without thinking and simultaneously expect that a prospect who’s a top-10 pick is a first liner or 1st pair defenseman, other first rounders are top-6 or 2nd pair at worst. In the 2nd round you get a physical guy with some skills good for the 3rd line and then later there should be at least one surprising overachiever or fans will bemoan bad luck.

Anything less than above and these same fans scream for firing or at least allow themselves to feel intellectually superior to those who do this for a living.

 

[JayAB81]

I've been reading this thread, now I'm wondering of the 21 unsigned picks, who's most likely to sign ELCs, and who may not, also when will they be NHL ready.

Unsigned picks by year.

2020:

1st- RD Braden Schneider
2nd- LW Will Cuylle
3rd- C Oliver Tarnstrom
4th- G Dylan Garand
5th- LW Brett Berard
5th- C Evan Vierling
6th- C Matthew Rempe
7th- G Hugo Ollas

2019:

2nd- C Karl Henrikkson
3rd- LD Zachary Jones
4th- RD Hunter Skinner
5th- LW Leevi Aaltonen
6th- C Adam Edstrom
7th- RW Eric Ciccolini

2018:

1st- RD Nils Lundkvist
2nd- G Olof Lindbom
3rd- LD Jacob Ragnarsson
5th- RW Lauri Pajuniemei
6th- LD Simon Kjellberg
7th- RW Riley Hughes

2017:

5th- LD Calle Sjalin

 

[Ola]

All these Tarnstroms, Henrikssons, Aaltonens, Ragnarssons, etc. are just wasted picks by scouts that should have been fired.

I think there is a bit of a risk to misjudge these kids based on the statsheet.

Ty Ronning was surely seen as a solid pick for a long time and had great stats, but there is a difference between junior hockey and pro hockey. He is 23 y/o and can’t stick in the AHL despite destroying the CHL.

It’s at that level these kids are playing from when they are 18. We can discuss which leagues are better, the SHL vs the AHL vs the KHL and so forth. They are different, but definitely fully comparable. The AHL got a really bad reputation in the hockey world, and much of it is deserved, but it’s a good crash course in NA hockey albeit nowadays not very much like the NHL. KHL got its issues and the SHL got its issues. But playing pro hockey is a big challenge.

With that said, it doesn’t change the fact that it takes doing really well to make it in the NHL. Few will pull that off.

 

[eco's bones]

I've been reading this thread, now I'm wondering of the 21 unsigned picks, who's most likely to sign ELCs, and who may not, also when will they be NHL ready.

Unsigned picks by year.

2020:

1st- RD Braden Schneider
2nd- LW Will Cuylle
3rd- C Oliver Tarnstrom
4th- G Dylan Garand
5th- LW Brett Berard
5th- C Evan Vierling
6th- C Matthew Rempe
7th- G Hugo Ollas

2019:

2nd- C Karl Henrikkson
3rd- LD Zachary Jones
4th- RD Hunter Skinner
5th- LW Leevi Aaltonen
6th- C Adam Edstrom
7th- RW Eric Ciccolini

2018:

1st- RD Nils Lundkvist
2nd- G Olof Lindbom
3rd- LD Jacob Ragnarsson
5th- RW Lauri Pajuniemei
6th- LD Simon Kjellberg
7th- RW Riley Hughes

2017:

5th- LD Calle Sjalin

Of the 2020's I think we can almost certainly expect the Rangers to sign Schneider and Cuylle soon. The rest are wait and see. Garand is with Hartford but not likely to play and Vierling hasn't played this year because the OHL hasn't opened. Berard's in college and won't be signed until he's ready to come out. The European players will remain with their European clubs at least until they've made enough progress to justify signing which they may or may not happen. Out of this draft I really like Lafreniere, Schneider, Cuylle, Garand, Berard and Vierling. I see Schneider arriving some time around 22-23 and Cuylle may get there with him or the season after.

Of the 2019's we of course have Kakko already. I'm very stoked about Matt Robertson as well. Karl Henriksson has an excellent pedigree--looked good at Traverse a year ago but has been struggling. He's a possibility for sure but hopefully he begins to figure out the SHL. I think he's at least 3 years away. Zac Jones could be a big deal though. He won't be signed until he's ready to leave college. I expect he'll play his junior year next year and then come out. Pierre was comparing him to Makar the other day. He is a Fox like player. Skinner is also a sleeper. I expect he'll be signed after this season and would put him as two/three years a way. Aaltonen has to get bigger and stronger and become more of a factor for his Liiga team. He's an outstanding skater. Edstrom is a sleeper in a Brian Boyle kind of way. I think the Rangers will sign him before his eligibility runs out in the hope he'll become a 4th liner type. Ciccolini is a sophomore in college and will probably play his 4 years there before the Rangers make a decision on him.

Of the 2018's--Lundkivst is the real deal and a sure bet to my eyes. He will be signed soon and IMO he's got the goods to make the Rangers out of camp next season. The rest of that group need to get better if they're going to be signed. The most intriguing is Pajuniemi who has become an offensive leader for his TPS team. He would need time in Hartford here probably to round out his game a bit. Ragnarsson may be more of a long term project---right now I don't see the Rangers signing him or Lindbom anytime soon. Kjellberg and Hughes are both college sophomores and IMO will need all 4 years before a decision is made on either.

Sjalin has become a decent SHL player. I think he's a victim of the numbers game at this point.

 

[nyr2k2]

I've been reading this thread, now I'm wondering of the 21 unsigned picks, who's most likely to sign ELCs, and who may not, also when will they be NHL ready.

2020:
1st- RD Braden Schneider: yes
2nd- LW Will Cuylle: seems likely
3rd- C Oliver Tarnstrom: too early
4th- G Dylan Garand: yes
5th- LW Brett Berard: seems likely
5th- C Evan Vierling: seems likely but early
6th- C Matthew Rempe: I have my doubts
7th- G Hugo Ollas: again, I have doubts but too early

2019:
2nd- C Karl Henrikkson: yes at the moment given that he was a 2nd; if he doesn't improve in the next two years it's a possible no
3rd- LD Zachary Jones: yes
4th- RD Hunter Skinner: yes
5th- LW Leevi Aaltonen: no
6th- C Adam Edstrom: would need to see some more substantial improvement
7th- RW Eric Ciccolini: trending positively

The Euros here we have until summer 2023 so we have plenty of time to evaluate them still.

2018:
1st- RD Nils Lundkvist: yes
2nd- G Olof Lindbom: not currently
3rd- LD Jacob Ragnarsson: no
5th- RW Lauri Pajuniemei: yes
6th- LD Simon Kjellberg: we'll have to see what he does next season
7th- RW Riley Hughes: trending positively

Lindbum and Ragnarsson we don't have to decide on until summer 2022. So they could conceivably turn it around.

2017:
5th- LD Calle Sjalin: I'd say there's like a 20% chance. I think he's unremarkable and AHL-quality but if a scout really likes him, maybe he signs.

 

[nyr2k2]

I also want to mention that while uncommon, it wouldn't be totally unforseen for someone like Själin to be offered an ELC but decline the chance to sign and instead stay in the SHL. Some of these guys will have more realistic view about their chances to make the NHL and will value a regular role in their domestic league and potentially more money than a very small chance to ever see an NHL game. And playing in their domestic leagues in a regular capacity is a much better option than toiling in the AHL or even ECHL.