Prospect Info: Rangers Prospects Thread (Player Stats in Post #1; Updated 6.16.22)

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Interesting. Would think he’d break in easier at center for a team like NYR that really need one.

Probably doesn't want to play in NY then. As Ranger fans we often think New York is topping everyone's list of destinations but reality is that most players prefer to play elsewhere.

 

[nyr2k2]

Since missing a few games early in the month, Vierling has come back and been scoreless in five games with a -7 and 9 SOG. He has 44 points in 53 games. He did sit out last season, but he's also going to be 20 in two months. Does he get a contract before we lose his rights in the summer?

 

[Ranger Ric]

Probably doesn't want to play in NY then. As Ranger fans we often think New York is topping everyone's list of destinations but reality is that most players prefer to play elsewhere.

Colorado is going to lose Kadri this summer and Meyers might have looked at that as a good opportunity to play 2nd line center with a very good team.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Since missing a few games early in the month, Vierling has come back and been scoreless in five games with a -7 and 9 SOG. He has 44 points in 53 games. He did sit out last season, but he's also going to be 20 in two months. Does he get a contract before we lose his rights in the summer?

Isn't it a bit odd that NCAA players have their NHL rights extended due to the pandemic, but not OHL players?

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Since missing a few games early in the month, Vierling has come back and been scoreless in five games with a -7 and 9 SOG. He has 44 points in 53 games. He did sit out last season, but he's also going to be 20 in two months. Does he get a contract before we lose his rights in the summer?

Karl Henriksson received a contract offer. Technically under the very end of Gorton's tenure, but Drury must have been involved in the decision. I'm assuming Vierling will be extended an offer, especially since we traded our best C prospect at the deadline.

It says more about our terrible C depth than it does the player, TBH.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Karl Henriksson received a contract offer. Technically under the very end of Gorton's tenure, but Drury must have been involved in the decision. I'm assuming Vierling will be extended an offer, especially since we traded our best C prospect at the deadline.

It says more about our terrible C depth than it does the player, TBH.

Wolf Pack center depth for 2022-23

Under contract:
Karl Henriksson
Patrick Khodorenko
Matt Rempe

RFA:
Justin Richards

UFA:
Maxim Letunov

 

[dshea19]

Vierling was coming on strong at one point in the season and seemed to be salvaging it. His season started slowly but he was getting to the point of being a ppg player, which is pretty good considering how slow his start was. However, the end of his season seemed to crater. At this point, I doubt he even has a successful AHL career. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to see what he can do in Hartford, but he is a slight dude that needs a good 15 pounds of muscle added to his frame. His game style requires him to be lighting up the scoreboard, because that is what he is. If he isn't doing that, he doesn't have a path to the NHL.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Vierling was coming on strong at one point in the season and seemed to be salvaging it. His season started slowly but he was getting to the point of being a ppg player, which is pretty good considering how slow his start was. However, the end of his season seemed to crater. At this point, I doubt he even has a successful AHL career. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to see what he can do in Hartford, but he is a slight dude that needs a good 15 pounds of muscle added to his frame. His game style requires him to be lighting up the scoreboard, because that is what he is. If he isn't doing that, he doesn't have a path to the NHL.

So Brandon Pirri Ryan Gropp

 

[cwede]

Vierling was coming on strong at one point in the season and seemed to be salvaging it. His season started slowly but he was getting to the point of being a ppg player, which is pretty good considering how slow his start was. However, the end of his season seemed to crater. At this point, I doubt he even has a successful AHL career. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to see what he can do in Hartford, but he is a slight dude that needs a good 15 pounds of muscle added to his frame. His game style requires him to be lighting up the scoreboard, because that is what he is. If he isn't doing that, he doesn't have a path to the NHL.

So Brandon Pirri Ryan Gropp

is your projection based simply on his size?

some seem to not agree

Evan Vierling - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Evan Vierling, 2002-06-20 Aurora, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the undefined with Providence Bruins. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

"Vierling is a defensively reliable, high-motor, two-way player, and a credible dual-threat scorer in the offensive zone. He's actually pretty enthusiastic about mucking it up in the most hotly contested parts of the offensive zone. He's even willing to take the puck there himself if he has to. He's also a credible shooting threat, even at intermediate range." -EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide

but Kournianos did agree ... "...make no mistake – Vierling purely looks for offense and should not be considered a stopper or reliable two-way center."
DraftAnalyst 2020 NHL DRAFT REPORT

anyway, i am never as confident, as some, that less than steller stats D+1 or D+2 are of much use projecting the player's arc, they are very young

 

[dshea19]

is your projection based simply on his size?

some seem to not agree

Evan Vierling - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Evan Vierling, 2002-06-20 Aurora, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the undefined with Providence Bruins. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

"Vierling is a defensively reliable, high-motor, two-way player, and a credible dual-threat scorer in the offensive zone. He's actually pretty enthusiastic about mucking it up in the most hotly contested parts of the offensive zone. He's even willing to take the puck there himself if he has to. He's also a credible shooting threat, even at intermediate range." -EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide

but Kournianos did agree ... "...make no mistake – Vierling purely looks for offense and should not be considered a stopper or reliable two-way center."
DraftAnalyst 2020 NHL DRAFT REPORT

anyway, i am never as confident, as some, that less than steller stats D+1 or D+2 are of much use projecting the player's arc, they are very young

The kid write's his own future, to an extent. However, he is trending in the wrong direction. At his age, he really should have been much more dominant. He shouldn't have fizzled out at the end of the season. I get the slow start, but the poor finish is the worrying part. Could he turn it around? Sure. Nothing is set in stone. The odds are against him at this point. However, I honestly would love for him to succeed. I have been rooting for him all year and I thought his production after only having 2 points in the first 9 games was really promising. He had 20 in his next 16, and then 7 in the final 9, but was an overall -2 in those 9 games. Not the end of the world, but given his age and experience, there really shouldn't have been a fall off. Given hopes for what he can be in the NHL, he should have been at least a PPG player instead of 44P in 53Gp. However, I have no idea if he was dealing with injury and that is what slowed him down. Who knows. I am far from an expert, but his previous full season in the OHL was 44P in 43GP. His season of not playing due to covid and a knee injury may have really derailed his career. The questions are probably: can he reach what his potential was thought to be, or should he be reinventing his game to something that will be more NHL successful. Considering he is not a banger and is a kid with a very slight build, that isn't likely.

Honestly, I was secretly hoping for Stepan 2.0, but with better skating and speed, from him. It would not bother me if they sign him and he starts working on his game in Hartford. It also won't shock me if he spends the next 2 years in the ECHL.

 

[nyr2k2]

is your projection based simply on his size?

some seem to not agree

Evan Vierling - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Evan Vierling, 2002-06-20 Aurora, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the undefined with Providence Bruins. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

"Vierling is a defensively reliable, high-motor, two-way player, and a credible dual-threat scorer in the offensive zone. He's actually pretty enthusiastic about mucking it up in the most hotly contested parts of the offensive zone. He's even willing to take the puck there himself if he has to. He's also a credible shooting threat, even at intermediate range." -EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide

but Kournianos did agree ... "...make no mistake – Vierling purely looks for offense and should not be considered a stopper or reliable two-way center."
DraftAnalyst 2020 NHL DRAFT REPORT

anyway, i am never as confident, as some, that less than steller stats D+1 or D+2 are of much use projecting the player's arc, they are very young

I didn't watch Vierling a whole lot, as honestly, there were other kids in the OHL like Othmann and Cuylle that I had much more interest in. I did see him several times though, and while he wasn't a liability defensively, he didn't stand out. Rather, he is fine at this level, but I don't see the strength and aggression, or even really the mentality, that you'd need to succeed as a two-way player in the NHL.

It's not impossible for guys to reinvent themselves if their "calling card" skills don't pan out, but where Vierling is right now he looks like he profiles as an offense-first center as a pro.

I said earlier I think it's 60-40 we sign him, just because we need centers. But, I'm not going to be shocked if the team passes, because from what I've seen everything has been pretty "meh" from him.

 

[RangerBoy]

The Athletic's Colorado Avalanche's beat writer Peter Baugh was a guest on the Jeff Marek show today. Baugh spoke to Ben Meyers' agent Dan Plante. Meyers really liked the Avalanche after talking with Joe Sakic and Chris MacFarland. In the Athletic story, Baugh wrote Meyers spoke to a few Colorado Eagles AHL players. Sampo Ranta played with Meyers at Minnesota. Hunter Miska is dating Meyers' cousin. Meyers liked what he heard from them regarding the Avalanche organization.

 

[Ranger Ric]

Wolf Pack center depth for 2022-23

Under contract:
Karl Henriksson
Patrick Khodorenko
Matt Rempe

RFA:
Justin Richards

UFA:
Maxim Letunov

Tanner Fritz has an AHL contract for next year and Johnny Brodzinski has an NHL contract and could be in Hartford.

With Brodzinski and Fritz Hartford would be fine but short of that there is a big problem. Rempe and Richards are fourth liners at best and Richards hasn't had a good year. Khodorenko is playing a little better but nowhere near NHL level play.

Center is by far the weakest area of the Rangers's prospect pool.

 

[eco's bones]

Whether you like +/- or not Richards is a -27 and no one else on the Pack is anywhere near that. It’s a shame because he was known for his great defensive play for being on the NCAA champs Minnesota Duluth. I thought when we signed him he would be great addition but he has not had a good season and my inclination would be not to bring him back. Ronning, Rueschoff and Gettinger I would.

on others—Garand is the goalie to be next year in Hartford. Maybe you bring back Huska if he doesn’t go group 6–maybe you don’t. Not overly excited about Merkley or Letunov.

of the AHL guys—Giuttar’s been good on D. DiGiacinto’s a scrappy 4th liner. Whelan and O’Leary have been okay. Lorito’s helped the offense but he’s small and in his 30’s.

of the prospects—Henriksson has two years in the SHL and not been very productive. Edstrom will be a bottom liner in the AHL. Vierling hasn’t earned an NHL contract. Rempe’s pathway is 4th line physical player. There’s not a lot from these guys that I’m very excited about. There is Othmann, Cuylle, Berard (if he signs) and maybe Korczak who seem better bets to make it.

 

[bmoak]

Goalie Francois Brassard of the Icemen was named to the 1st Team ECHL All-Star Team.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

Probably doesn't want to play in NY then. As Ranger fans we often think New York is topping everyone's list of destinations but reality is that most players prefer to play elsewhere.

News to me. It seems we don't have a problem signing both college players and pros. We just can't sign everybody.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Probably doesn't want to play in NY then. As Ranger fans we often think New York is topping everyone's list of destinations but reality is that most players prefer to play elsewhere.

Not being mean spirited here but your use of the word “reality” is an exaggeration.
If anything, the last 20 years have shown us the opposite.

 

[nyr2k2]

Well it's hard to say, really. If you asked every guy in the NCAA and CHL where they'd play if they had their choice, and to rank 10 teams, no single team is going to be the #1 choice on more than 50% of ballots. So by that logic, you could say "most guys would rather play elsewhere" about every single team in the league.

That said, I would wager New York (the Rangers specifically) would consistently be one of the top choices for most guys. Of course there are guys who would rather play outside the bright lights, or for their hometown team, but I think the O6 and other big markets would probably be them out popular choices.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

News to me. It seems we don't have a problem signing both college players and pros. We just can't sign everybody.

Not being mean spirited here but your use of the word “reality” is an exaggeration.
If anything, the last 20 years have shown us the opposite.

I'm not saying nobody wants to play in New York. Sure, there are players who jump at the opportunity but there are also a lot of players who have a preference to play elsewhere. You can bet money that Drury was after Meyers as he's the type of UDFA all teams are after and at the very least spoke to his agent.

But this notion that the Rangers are the no 1 franchise in the league that "everyone wants to play for" is so overblown. We're a desirable destination for some, not all. Toronto, Boston, Chicago and Detroit have the same appeal as New York to a lot of players. I'm happy we get to sign some of these kids like Pionk, Vesey, Hayes (evnene though they are not undrafted, but opted to go the FA route), but I wouldn't expect every player to have us top of their list. That's just not realistic.

 

[Roo Returns]

Tanner Fritz has an AHL contract for next year and Johnny Brodzinski has an NHL contract and could be in Hartford.

With Brodzinski and Fritz Hartford would be fine but short of that there is a big problem. Rempe and Richards are fourth liners at best and Richards hasn't had a good year. Khodorenko is playing a little better but nowhere near NHL level play.

Center is by far the weakest area of the Rangers's prospect pool.

That's been the case for 96 years.

 

[Roo Returns]

I'm not saying nobody wants to play in New York. Sure, there are players who jump at the opportunity but there are also a lot of players who have a preference to play elsewhere. You can bet money that Drury was after Meyers as he's the type of UDFA all teams are after and at the very least spoke to his agent.

But this notion that the Rangers are the no 1 franchise in the league that "everyone wants to play for" is so overblown. We're a desirable destination for some, not all. Toronto, Boston, Chicago and Detroit have the same appeal as New York to a lot of players. I'm happy we get to sign some of these kids like Pionk, Vesey, Hayes (evnene though they are not undrafted, but opted to go the FA route), but I wouldn't expect every player to have us top of their list. That's just not realistic.

When you're from NY and especially in the pre or early internet era there is this perception that the entire world revolves around NY.

When you spend one hour in practically any other city especially a warm one and with all the cultural diffusion the last twenty years, New York is not special.

 

[cwede]

I'm not saying nobody wants to play in New York. Sure, there are players who jump at the opportunity but there are also a lot of players who have a preference to play elsewhere. You can bet money that Drury was after Meyers as he's the type of UDFA all teams are after and at the very least spoke to his agent.

But this notion that the Rangers are the no 1 franchise in the league that "everyone wants to play for" is so overblown. We're a desirable destination for some, not all. Toronto, Boston, Chicago and Detroit have the same appeal as New York to a lot of players. I'm happy we get to sign some of these kids like Pionk, Vesey, Hayes (evnene though they are not undrafted, but opted to go the FA route), but I wouldn't expect every player to have us top of their list. That's just not realistic.

When you're from NY and especially in the pre or early internet era there is this perception that the entire world revolves around NY.

When you spend one hour in practically any other city especially a warm one and with all the cultural diffusion the last twenty years, New York is not special.

I do think that for college players, especially players from NE schools, there is an appeal of being where/near a slew of college pals.
In last 30 years, finance has become a much more accessible and versatile career path, while tech and digital media have blossomed in many places, including NYC [along with rebirth of living areas like Brooklyn and Hudson County (Hoboken, Jersey City,...)]
So more than maybe ever, NYC has been attracting a disproportionate amount of recent grads.
For some of these UDFA/rights-expired guys, i believe that is a draw.
Having watched my own kids graduate from NE schools, and how they and their partners have a high number of dear friends in and around NYC Metro supports that theory for me

 

[nyr2k2]

NY is still one of the most visited cities in the world and, to my knowledge, by far the most tourist-visited city in the US. It is still one of the most iconic and culturally defining cities in the country. Does the world revolve around NY? No. Is it a "special" place? I'm not sure how you could sincerely argue that it isn't.

 

[ecemleafs]

NY is still one of the most visited cities in the world and, to my knowledge, by far the most tourist-visited city in the US. It is still one of the most iconic and culturally defining cities in the country. Does the world revolve around NY? No. Is it a "special" place? I'm not sure how you could sincerely argue that it isn't.

dont apologize. the capital of the world is new york city. everyone else is just gonna have to deal with it.

 

[eco's bones]

We’re attractive to guys who grew up Rangers fans for sure. Hence Adam Fox and Bobby Trivigno. It even worked for two Anthony’s Bitetto and Greco. I think with Hayes he wanted to be back East somewhere just not with the pressure of his hometown which might also have figured into Vesey’s thinking. Got lucky with Pionk—always played him over his head like he was first pair material and at least 80% of the Rangers posters on HF absolutely hated him but he’s a good player especially when he’s properly slotted which we didn’t really have the luxury of with Shattenkirk playing on his bum knee and Tony’s adventurfal defensive commitment. Someone had to kill penalties. Someone had to try to get in the way of Ovechkin’s one timers. Trouba is a lot better though so I’m happy how that turned out.