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

[eco's bones]

Most of the enforcers these days don't fight all that much really. Maybe 5/6/7 times a year--even guys like Wilson and Reaves. Riding shotgun with Ovechin certainly helps Wilson's production numbers. Wilson and Reaves both play really heavy games though and they're good enough skaters that if they're on the forecheck and run someone into the boards they can physically hurt and/or intimidate opposing teams. A few years ago Lucic was doing the same but he can't keep up anymore. I do see value in having a player like that.....but there really aren't that many. Wilson has also gotten to the point where he's walking a pretty thin line between playing and sitting out longer and longer suspensions.

 

[BKGooner]

This times 1000.

Having players with some toughness is great, as long as it comes with skill.

Don't sacrifice skill for toughness.

Gorton needs to get the scouts out in force to find the next Probert. Heck find the next Klima too and let them play with Henrikkson in a few years. Totally off topic - did anyone ever play Strat-o Matic hockey?

 

[nyr2k2]

Right now as currently constructed we don’t have an nhl spot for Nieves or Andersson.

McKegg had a great NHL playoffs. He’s not starting in Hartford. Fully expect him to make the team.

Gotta see how guys look in camp before determining who we have space for. If Andersson has taken that next step it's hard to see him going down again. But who knows, we'll have to see how it plays out.

 

[eco's bones]

Gorton needs to get the scouts out in force to find the next Probert. Heck find the next Klima too and let them play with Henrikkson in a few years. Totally off topic - did anyone ever play Strat-o Matic hockey?

Really to me those kinds of guys for the most part come out of the CHL.....and even those CHL leagues have been moving away from producing those kinds of players. You don't see players taking 2-300 minutes in penalties anymore---anywhere. You don't see guys having 15-20 fights a year either. Part of it is just being big and tough doesn't help if you can't skate or play well. Teams don't want to be on the penalty kill all the time or carrying a guy every night they only play 3 to 5 minutes a game. Part of it is the concussion issue and the NHL that leads the way for what other North American leagues do is clearly shown that if you end up with a traumatic brain injury you're on your own--that they don't really want to help you. Part of it as well is that every once in a while someone like a Michael Liambis will make a horrific play and destroy someone's career or even once in a while someone actually gets killed--maybe not yet at the CHL level but in lower leagues in Canada it happens every once in a while.

 

[True Blue]

Because it’s 2019, not 1979.

EDIT: there’s real value in having players who play physical/with an edge. “Enforcers”, however, have come and gone.

If I had to bet, and I don't, but if I had to I would say that Gorton may be using some of the abundance of 7th round picks to come up with a modern day version of such a player.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Because it’s 2019, not 1979.

EDIT: there’s real value in having players who play physical/with an edge. “Enforcers”, however, have come and gone.

Why the extreme? 1979? Well, last I checked this is hockey and not figure skating. Oh, it’s soooo finesse I read. Really? Tell that to Brad Marchand or Tom Wilson. Watch Chara take the body. There are plenty of players capable of going goon in this league while it doesn’t have to be 1979, 1994, 2008, etc.

Rangers have only Lemieux (and maybe DeAngelo with right hand). The lineup is flooded with kids closer in age to Senior Prom than 26 year old men. Do we really want to see any of these kids get multiple cheap shots with a Marc Staal floating in with no urgency and delivering a gentle push? Fans would go nuts and Lemieux can’t shoulder all the weight IMO.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Why the extreme? 1979? Well, last I checked this is hockey and not figure skating. Oh, it’s soooo finesse I read. Really? Tell that to Brad Marchand or Tom Wilson. Watch Chara take the body. There are plenty of players capable of going goon in this league while it doesn’t have to be 1979, 1994, 2008, etc.

Rangers have only Lemieux (and maybe DeAngelo with right hand). The lineup is flooded with kids closer in age to Senior Prom than 26 year old men. Do we really want to see any of these kids get multiple cheap shots with a Marc Staal floating in with no urgency and delivering a gentle push? Fans would go nuts and Lemieux can’t shoulder all the weight IMO.

None of those people are enforcers. Tom Wilson is probably the closest to one, but he’s more of a cheap shot artist than anything

 

[RangersFan1994]

Why the extreme? 1979? Well, last I checked this is hockey and not figure skating. Oh, it’s soooo finesse I read. Really? Tell that to Brad Marchand or Tom Wilson. Watch Chara take the body. There are plenty of players capable of going goon in this league while it doesn’t have to be 1979, 1994, 2008, etc.

Rangers have only Lemieux (and maybe DeAngelo with right hand). The lineup is flooded with kids closer in age to Senior Prom than 26 year old men. Do we really want to see any of these kids get multiple cheap shots with a Marc Staal floating in with no urgency and delivering a gentle push? Fans would go nuts and Lemieux can’t shoulder all the weight IMO.

Strome can fight as well. Lemieux, Strome, DeAngelo, Trouba and Smith (if Smith is on the team, it is for that reason) one of the many reasons I wanted Simmonds, Cousins as UFA this summer. both bring an edge that can take a regular shift. i would try to kick the tires on Jake Virtanen type or a player that is a low risk trade type that brings passion and good work along the boards as far as getting to loose pucks.

 

[NYSPORTS]

None of those people are enforcers. Tom Wilson is probably the closest to one, but he’s more of a cheap shot artist than anything

I clearly said there are plenty of players in this league capable of going Goon. I prefer more protection for the kids b/c this isn’t the ice capades

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I clearly said there are plenty of players in this league capable of going Goon. I prefer more protection for the kids b/c this isn’t the ice capades

Who said it was the ice capades?

 

[NYSPORTS]

Who said it was the ice capades?

Hence the extreme. It's not 1979 either.

 

[UnSandvich]

I would be quite happy if we never wasted another dollar or contract slot on a "Goon"/"enforcer" type again. Signing those players actively makes your team worse and accomplishes nothing worthwhile.

 

[nyr2k2]

I'm all for adding another guy that can throw down. They have to be able to play, though. Because even if you only play them a handful of minutes each night, you're really handicapping yourself during those minutes if you sign some chud that can't actually contribute anything else. I don't know why one esteemed poster chose to bring this up in the prospect thread, but whatever.

 

[UnSandvich]

I'm all for adding another guy that can throw down. They have to be able to play, though. Because even if you only play them a handful of minutes each night, you're really handicapping yourself during those minutes if you sign some chud that can't actually contribute anything else. I don't know why one esteemed poster chose to bring this up in the prospect thread, but whatever.

Don't forget the stupid penalties those players inevitably take too

 

[Blue Blooded]

I think when Andersson gets comfortable at the NHL level he'll bring just the physical and mental edge some posters think this team lacks.

He led the SuperElit (J20 league) in both points and PIM as a 17 year old. In juniors he often averaged 2 PIM/GP while leading his teams in points.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I think when Andersson gets comfortable at the NHL level he'll bring just the physical and mental edge some posters think this team lacks.

He led the SuperElit (J20 league) in both points and PIM as a 17 year old. In juniors he often averaged 2 PIM/GP while leading his teams in points.

Off the top of my head, his SuperElit was the 2nd or 3rd all time highest scoring season in that league, and the people ahead of him were like 19-20

 

[Harbour Dog]

Off the top of my head, his SuperElit was the 2nd or 3rd all time highest scoring season in that league, and the people ahead of him were like 19-20

His total was exceptionally high, but I think more like 10th.

Maybe 2nd or 3rd for his age though.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

His total was exceptionally high, but I think more like 10th.

Maybe 2nd or 3rd for his age though.

Just looked it up, and just doing quick math based on the years, he’s 2nd all time for D-1 seasons (Janmark the only one higher at his age), and 11th all time for all seasons

Edit: Also, but of fun: there’s an appearance by our old friend Daniel Bernhardt on the list of players ahead of Andersson

 

[Joey Bones]

Andersson also left and never came back, which is a shame, while his brother is in North America and had a good rookie year on the Flames. its a shame Andersson did not have the will power to stay with the Rangers organization. what a waste of a draft pick and prospect. i don't have respect for prospects like that.

He had the potential, but didn't pan out. It happens with the business.

FWIW, he's made a strong career in the NLA!! Still a very capable pro league with salary!!

 

[Joey Bones]

so why have the Rangers hung on to Boo Nieves then? for a 2ed round pick, he is pretty awful and useless. i don't get why the Rangers management still love him. need to move on from players that are just on the team because of his waiver rights.

He's got potential still and is only 25. He's also a capable bottom-6 center that won't cost much. He's done a great job in Hartford and doesn't really belong in that league, which creates value for trade if NYR can swing on it. He could be a late bloomer.

Same can be said about Panarin. He was undrafted and was signed/a rookie at the age of 24. Talk about a late bloomer!! The guy has consistently racked up 70-80 points a year!! It's all about projections and what ifs when it comes to drafting and post development. Things take time.

I'm curious how you feel about Lias?

 

[eco's bones]

None of Andersson, Nieves or McKegg are guaranteed anything. They're going to have to beat guys out including each other. Having a 'great' playoffs for another team on their 4th line doesn't really amount to all that much. We know that Nieves is offensively challenged but his 19 points in 72 NHL games prorates better than Mckegg's 24 in 132. Just saying. Nieves is also the biggest and the best and fastest skater of this threesome. So if McKegg wants to make the team he best come ready to play his ass off........and there's also DiGiuseppe.

 

[Joey Bones]

Because it’s 2019, not 1979.

EDIT: there’s real value in having players who play physical/with an edge. “Enforcers”, however, have come and gone.

This times 1000.

Having players with some toughness is great, as long as it comes with skill.

Don't sacrifice skill for toughness.

Just to add to this....

An enforcer negatively impacts a modern day NHL team. Unnecessary PIM's that create PK's is something that can happen regularly. There's a difference between having grit and toughness and being a goon. Guys like Lemieux who can strategically use his antagonistic ways and then clapping back with skill is a must. Avery was sooooo good at it for years!! Marchand is today's Avery.

 

[Joey Bones]

One thing that NYR fans need to know about McKegg, though. He is NOT a good fighter. I'm not expecting much, but it would be a plus if he turns in a season like this past playoffs!!

 

[Joey Bones]

If I had to bet, and I don't, but if I had to I would say that Gorton may be using some of the abundance of 7th round picks to come up with a modern day version of such a player.

Or potentially move up in the 5th or 6th to grab the next best keeper!!

 

[Joey Bones]

Strome can fight as well. Lemieux, Strome, DeAngelo and Smith (if Smith is on the team, it is for that reason) one of the many reasons I wanted Simmonds, Cousins as UFA this summer. both bring an edge that can take a regular shift. i would try to kick the tires on Jake Virtanen type or a player that is a low risk trade type that brings passion and good work along the boards as far as getting to loose pucks.

Interesting, but where's the skill? Cousins can skate up and down the ice and goon around. He has had mediocre numbers his whole career. Simmonds is shot now and Virtanen is a waste of space. Vesey is the same player as Virtanen and put up more points.

This is a young mans game and you don't win nowadays with 5+ instigators in the lineup....