Prospect Info: Rangers Prospect Thread (Player Stats/Info in Post #1; Updated 9.1.19)

[Leetch3]

It's always good to be conservative with projecting guys. People really underestimate just how big the jump is to the NHL from even a league like the KHL or AHL. It's huge. Even "generational" guys can bust.

my feeling is that its better to be conservative and increase the chances that the guy will exceed those expectations...rather than overrate and increase the chances that they will disappoint

 

[bl02]

Just saw perhaps the best highlight reel of Kakko. This guy is a stud. He out muscles everyone in this highlight reel. And you know some of these highlights are against men in the Swedish league. An 18 yr old out muscling men. And super strong on the puck with his stick handling. He is a beast. So glad we got him over Hughes. I much prefer a power forward who can do it all. Oh baby am I excited for this season to begin....

what's so impressive is how he uses his physical strength/balance to engage defenders and win battles against men. Not just your typical flashy clips of prospects deking hapless defenders.

 

[cozandeffect]

It's always good to be conservative with projecting guys. People really underestimate just how big the jump is to the NHL from even a league like the KHL or AHL. It's huge. Even "generational" guys can bust.

my feeling is that its better to be conservative and increase the chances that the guy will exceed those expectations...rather than overrate and increase the chances that they will disappoint

You guys get me.

 

[ohbaby]

what's so impressive is how he uses his physical strength/balance to engage defenders and win battles against men. Not just your typical flashy clips of prospects deking hapless defenders.

He reminds me of a young Jagr. His puck control in traffic, being so hard to knock off the puck, just reminds me so much of him. He is a beast at 18 years old. That's insane. And you just know his power game will translate well to the NHL. I never felt more sure of a prospect. Quinn must be kicking himself.

 

[Huokaus]

Just saw perhaps the best highlight reel of Kakko. This guy is a stud. He out muscles everyone in this highlight reel. And you know some of these highlights are against men in the Swedish league. An 18 yr old out muscling men. And super strong on the puck with his stick handling. He is a beast. So glad we got him over Hughes. I much prefer a power forward who can do it all. Oh baby am I excited for this season to begin....

Pretty sure it's the Finnish league

 

[ohbaby]

Pretty sure it's the Finnish league

My mistake.

 

[eco's bones]

Back to Fox--looking at RD--Trouba, DeAngelo, Smith?, Fox. Figure on at least 3 of those guys unless the Rangers make another move.

So......Trouba's a given.

DeAngelo is not at least at the start of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if both he and Lemieux sat out training camp. They might in fact wait until the Rangers name their roster just in the hope of getting a little bit extra when the Rangers have to name their roster and they see where the team is cap wise. Neither of them are unique right now.....looks to me like there will be numerous young players around the league who might or will skip preseason just because of the cap binds their teams are in.

Fox's other competition is Brendan Smith. Honestly this guy has had a ton of shitty moments since he signed with us. Demoted to Hartford in his first year. Scratched numerous times last year and played as a 4th line LW numerous times. He's been an erratic player who takes needless penalties, forces plays that aren't there or is incapable of making and that quite often lead to lethal counterattacks. Wouldn't surprise me if Fox is smarter and steadier than he is from the get go. He'll certainly be a lot cheaper.

 

[Algernop Kreider]

He looked impressive, didn't he? He's the kind of power forward I always hoped Kreider to be. I like Kreider, but he was never as strong on the puck as this kid. He doesn't have the hands/puck control this kid has. Kakko's puck control reminds me of Jagr. Awful tough to knock off the puck. Something Kreider never developed.

While Kreider isn't really that type of player, we definitely have had some guys recently who use their size very effectively, such as Hayes and Nash.

 

[Anzi]

3 assists for Aaltonen. Not bad.

 

[cozandeffect]

Back to Fox--looking at RD--Trouba, DeAngelo, Smith?, Fox. Figure on at least 3 of those guys unless the Rangers make another move.

So......Trouba's a given.

DeAngelo is not at least at the start of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if both he and Lemieux sat out training camp. They might in fact wait until the Rangers name their roster just in the hope of getting a little bit extra when the Rangers have to name their roster and they see where the team is cap wise. Neither of them are unique right now.....looks to me like there will be numerous young players around the league who might or will skip preseason just because of the cap binds their teams are in.

Fox's other competition is Brendan Smith. Honestly this guy has had a ton of ****ty moments since he signed with us. Demoted to Hartford in his first year. Scratched numerous times last year and played as a 4th line LW numerous times. He's been an erratic player who takes needless penalties, forces plays that aren't there or is incapable of making and that quite often lead to lethal counterattacks. Wouldn't surprise me if Fox is smarter and steadier than he is from the get go. He'll certainly be a lot cheaper.

Assuming they get everyone signed and in camp the defense there are 8 guys I can see making the roster out of camp including Smith. The biggest thing is who's going to PK. We have 3 legit PP guys all on the right side with varied skillsets, but as of now TDA and Fox have yet to prove to be effective PKers. So unless DQ is comfortable with one of those 2 or one of Hajek and Rykov I think Smith makes it pretty easily.

 

[eco's bones]

Assuming they get everyone signed and in camp the defense there are 8 guys I can see making the roster out of camp including Smith. The biggest thing is who's going to PK. We have 3 legit PP guys all on the right side with varied skillsets, but as of now TDA and Fox have yet to prove to be effective PKers. So unless DQ is comfortable with one of those 2 or one of Hajek and Rykov I think Smith makes it pretty easily.

Personally the sooner we move on from Brendan Smith the better. He's underachieved his contract as much as any player on our roster. People are always bashing Staal and I'm fine moving on from Marc too but Marc at least plays (or tries to) within his own limitations. Smith doesn't and it loses games. He's not a smart player.

 

[bigdog16]

Sorry in advance if this has already been discussed, which im assuming it has. But I forget literally every year - when do they usually name the TC roster?

And again - probably already been discussed - but any roster predictions?

 

[RangersFan1994]

Sorry in advance if this has already been discussed, which im assuming it has. But I forget literally every year - when do they usually name the TC roster?

And again - probably already been discussed - but any roster predictions?

the thread has already posted. Player Discussion - Traverse City 2019 Tournament Thread

 

[cozandeffect]

Personally the sooner we move on from Brendan Smith the better. He's underachieved his contract as much as any player on our roster. People are always bashing Staal and I'm fine moving on from Marc too but Marc at least plays (or tries to) within his own limitations. Smith doesn't and it loses games. He's not a smart player.

I have no real issue with that given this is a young team I don't mind them struggling as they learn. I just think they're going to keep Smith anyway unless he's absolutely trash in camp.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I have no real issue with that given this is a young team I don't mind them struggling as they learn. I just think they're going to keep Smith anyway unless he's absolutely trash in camp.

the lack of his grit and toughness on this team, is the reason they kept him in my opinion.

 

[Levitate]

Back to Fox--looking at RD--Trouba, DeAngelo, Smith?, Fox. Figure on at least 3 of those guys unless the Rangers make another move.

So......Trouba's a given.

DeAngelo is not at least at the start of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if both he and Lemieux sat out training camp. They might in fact wait until the Rangers name their roster just in the hope of getting a little bit extra when the Rangers have to name their roster and they see where the team is cap wise. Neither of them are unique right now.....looks to me like there will be numerous young players around the league who might or will skip preseason just because of the cap binds their teams are in.

Ehhh I doubt either of those guys hold out through training camp, they know that there's a lot of young players looking to make this team and skipping training camp puts them at a huge disadvantage. They might not like their contract options but at the end of the day I bet they sign. I mean for all we know the Rangers have been sitting on another move for a little more cap space and haven't wanted to get them all signed yet. Not really an issue I worry about.

Assuming they are signed though, DeAngelo 100% has the inside edge on the 2nd pair RD spot no doubt about it. Coaches gave him a lot of time and responsibility last season, he's a known quantity, as long as he does the off ice stuff the team asks of him he's on the team to start the season.

Fox's other competition is Brendan Smith. Honestly this guy has had a ton of ****ty moments since he signed with us. Demoted to Hartford in his first year. Scratched numerous times last year and played as a 4th line LW numerous times. He's been an erratic player who takes needless penalties, forces plays that aren't there or is incapable of making and that quite often lead to lethal counterattacks. Wouldn't surprise me if Fox is smarter and steadier than he is from the get go. He'll certainly be a lot cheaper.

I think Fox has a good shot at making the team unless he really struggles in preseason etc. He might not stay up with the big club all season...he might go down for some more playing time etc, but the way things are setup he has a spot wide open for him to take as long as he doesn't struggle

 

[ohbaby]

While Kreider isn't really that type of player, we definitely have had some guys recently who use their size very effectively, such as Hayes and Nash.

Agreed. The best part is,... Kakko's power game will transfer well to the NHL. He should be effective from the get go. Might not mean a lot of points, and he won't manhandle opponents as easy as he did in Finland, but he will still be a handful, wear down defenses and open up space for teammates.

 

[theunsunghero]

 

[nyr2k2]

3 assists for Aaltonen. Not bad.

Not that it particularly matters but it looks like he was only credited with two assists, per the box score on the Finnish Federation's site.

 

[Joey Bones]

Just watched some highlights on that Finland/Sweden game for the Four Nations. Aaltonen was all over the ice. Kid has some serious wheels and offensive prowess!! Can't wait to see more!!

 

[kovazub94]

Just watched some highlights on that Finland/Sweden game for the Four Nations. Aaltonen was all over the ice. Kid has some serious wheels and offensive prowess!! Can't wait to see more!!

Link please?

 

[ohbaby]

Fox's other competition is Brendan Smith. Honestly this guy has had a ton of ****ty moments since he signed with us. Demoted to Hartford in his first year. Scratched numerous times last year and played as a 4th line LW numerous times. He's been an erratic player who takes needless penalties, forces plays that aren't there or is incapable of making and that quite often lead to lethal counterattacks. Wouldn't surprise me if Fox is smarter and steadier than he is from the get go. He'll certainly be a lot cheaper.

It's likely Smith might be dropped or traded. Cause it's either him or Namestnikov that needs to go to make cap room for Lemieux and DeAngelo.

 

[Joey Bones]

Link please?

Check PM's

 

[Fitzy]

Just watched some highlights on that Finland/Sweden game for the Four Nations. Aaltonen was all over the ice. Kid has some serious wheels and offensive prowess!! Can't wait to see more!!

Players like that can really work out on NHL playing surfaces. I imagine Nashville are pretty happy they took a flyer on Viktor Arvidsson

 

[Ola]

Players like that can really work out on NHL playing surfaces. I imagine Nashville are pretty happy they took a flyer on Viktor Arvidsson

Yeah, Aaltonen isn’t perfect, but neither is like all but save for 4-5 players in a draft. The game is so much about speed and skating and Aaltonen can certainly skate.

I rather bet on someone like Aaltonens with speed but that is a bit weak and erratic overall than someone who is more solid across the board but kind of meh even when it comes to their best abilities or who are top shooters or whatever.