Prospect Info: Rangers Prospects Thread (Stats in Post #1; Updated 5.29.18)

[Harbour Dog]

I know he's billed as a two-way defender, but that's certainly not how he was deployed this game (periods 2 and 3).

I honestly don't think I seen him, even a single time, enter the o-zone as anything other than the 5th man in.

He looked like a very mobile, very aggressive defensive-defenseman who could probably work on his positioning, but who created loads of opportunities for his team to transition.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I know he's billed as a two-way defender, but that's certainly not how he was deployed this game (periods 2 and 3).

I honestly don't think I seen him, even a single time, enter the o-zone as anything other than the 5th man in.

He looked like a very mobile, very aggressive defensive-defenseman who could probably work on his positioning, but who created loads of opportunities for his team to transition.

People will love Hajek once they see his skating ability. His edgework is beautiful

From April 4th

I’d agree that the offense may not translate as well as I’d like, but the skating and defending ability is top-notch. I’d say he probably ends up similar to Mattias Ekholm, but there’s definitely potential for more there

 

[eco's bones]

Yeah, I have heard nothing about Huska turning pro. Honestly, last season was a little up-and-down for him, mainly due to a couple injuries. It would probably be good for him to go back and play a full, healthy slate of games with UConn before considering taking that leap.

Mazanec could be back, he's an RFA. If you bring him back, and say Georgiev is the backup to Hank (I'd say that's 50/50 at best), then you've got Mazanec, Nell and Halverson. And then they always sign a goalie, either some AHL veteran or a UDFA player. So, there'd be a lot of competition for Huska, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but he's currently the clear-cut #1 playing against good teams in Hockey East.

Mazanec's a very good goalie at the AHL level. He's never been able to step up to the NHL level. If the Rangers do re-sign him I would not look to sign another goalie (except in case of dire emergency) without dumping either Halverson or Nell. I do not see the need for us to be carrying 6 goalies. Lundqvist and Georgiev with the Rangers. Mazanec in Hartford and either Halverson or Nell with the Wolfpack or with the Maine ECHL franchise.

 

[nyr2k2]

Mazanec's a very good goalie at the AHL level. He's never been able to step up to the NHL level. If the Rangers do re-sign him I would not look to sign another goalie (except in case of dire emergency) without dumping either Halverson or Nell. I do not see the need for us to be carrying 6 goalies. Lundqvist and Georgiev with the Rangers. Mazanec in Hartford and either Halverson or Nell with the Wolfpack or with the Maine ECHL franchise.

I mean in general I agree that we don't need six goalies under contract, but Halverson hasn't shown much of anything and Nell was uninspiring last season; both are probably gone after the year. Mazanec, as you said, is really an AHL guy. So they have Lundqvist, Georgiev, Shesterkin a year away, and Huska a year or two away from signing. If they can identify a solid UDFA goalie, preferably an NCAA guy that's older and would require a shorter ELC, I'd be all for it.

In a couple years you'll have Lundqvist potentially retiring, then Shesterkin and Georgiev (assuming both continue to pan out) and who knows what of Huska. If all three of those behind Lundqvist pan out you'll have to move one. So, if you can find a guy you think has the potential, I'm okay taking a flyer on him (especially if he's like 23 or something and only needs a one-year ELC).

I also haven't mentioned Tyler Wall. That's intentional. He needs to show whether his Freshman year was a fluke or whether his Sophomore year was the fluke. Until he reestablishes himself I don't really factor him into anything.

 

[Mac n Gs]

Georgiev definitely helps make our goalie carousel a bit steadier. I definitely still have hope for Huska, but I’m not crazy about the rest. I’m done shilling for Halverson or any juniors goalie for that matter. We should never draft them and just stick to the college commits and kids playing in Europe.

 

[eco's bones]

I mean in general I agree that we don't need six goalies under contract, but Halverson hasn't shown much of anything and Nell was uninspiring last season; both are probably gone after the year. Mazanec, as you said, is really an AHL guy. So they have Lundqvist, Georgiev, Shesterkin a year away, and Huska a year or two away from signing. If they can identify a solid UDFA goalie, preferably an NCAA guy that's older and would require a shorter ELC, I'd be all for it.

In a couple years you'll have Lundqvist potentially retiring, then Shesterkin and Georgiev (assuming both continue to pan out) and who knows what of Huska. If all three of those behind Lundqvist pan out you'll have to move one. So, if you can find a guy you think has the potential, I'm okay taking a flyer on him (especially if he's like 23 or something and only needs a one-year ELC).

I also haven't mentioned Tyler Wall. That's intentional. He needs to show whether his Freshman year was a fluke or whether his Sophomore year was the fluke. Until he reestablishes himself I don't really factor him into anything.

Actually the best scenario is if one of Halverson, Nell get moved before next season starts--then I'd be more than happy to sign another goalie. Then you get Shesterkin in next year--maybe even Huska. IMO the plan for Huska should be if he has a good year this year to sign him next summer and not let him get to free agency. Wall was great his first year. Not sure what happened last year but hopefully he rebounds.

Would not be against the Rangers drafting another goalie either---say Dostal if he's still available when our 3rd round 70OA comes around. Skarek is another who might be worthwhile to take a shot at.

 

[eco's bones]

Georgiev definitely helps make our goalie carousel a bit steadier. I definitely still have hope for Huska, but I’m not crazy about the rest. I’m done shilling for Halverson or any juniors goalie for that matter. We should never draft them and just stick to the college commits and kids playing in Europe.

Georgiev is like found money. Young free agent goalie with a couple solid seasons in Liiga comes over to our development camp and does well. Halverson has never impressed me overmuch. IMO that's a 2nd round pick that's probably going to bust. He's got to take the bull by the horns this year and become a mainstay in Hartford or there's no point keeping him in the organization. I don't want to see him back in the ECHL.

 

[nyr2k2]

Yes this year is make or break for Halverson. He's still "goalie young" but needs to start producing to match the ability.

One "good" thing you can say about Halverson is that while his overall numbers sucked, both in the AHL and ECHL his SV% was in line with all his teammates other than Georgiev.

 

[Edge]

Drafting and developing goalies has always been tricky, but it almost seems as if projecting them has become even more difficult over the last 10 years.

 

[eco's bones]

If you're drafting a goalie in the first two rounds you really want him to turn into an NHL starter or it's kind of an underwhelming draft pick. There's not much middle ground. Most goalies who eventually become backups usually take years and some shuffling about to other teams to get there. It's not like you can say I was hoping for at least a 2nd line winger but he's still useful as a third/fourth liner--so that's not great but it's okay. For goalies it's pretty much starter, backup or busted.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

From April 4th

I’d agree that the offense may not translate as well as I’d like, but the skating and defending ability is top-notch. I’d say he probably ends up similar to Mattias Ekholm, but there’s definitely potential for more there

There was a junior defenseman scoring chances chart that showed Hajek was among the best at creating and preventing them (I think he was better at creating them), so I think the smarts and ability are there for sure

 

[Ghost of jas]

Georgiev definitely helps make our goalie carousel a bit steadier. I definitely still have hope for Huska, but I’m not crazy about the rest. I’m done shilling for Halverson or any juniors goalie for that matter. We should never draft them and just stick to the college commits and kids playing in Europe.

Yup...never waste any pick higher than a 4th on a goalie.

 

[kovazub94]

There was a junior defenseman scoring chances chart that showed Hajek was among the best at creating and preventing them (I think he was better at creating them), so I think the smarts and ability are there for sure

And he’s used in a shutdown role at Regina.

 

[Kovalev27]

Halverson is a bust. He doesn’t move well at all for a pro goalie and almost embarrassingly extremely stiff. Not flexible not agile. I’m really surprised he got drafted so highly. He’s big and moved the puck well. Was enough To get him drafted but he’s not a good goalie at all. Bust

You’d hope between shesterkin georgiev and huska that you’ve got an elite starter in there. Hopefully.

 

[2014nyr]

I know he's billed as a two-way defender, but that's certainly not how he was deployed this game (periods 2 and 3).

I honestly don't think I seen him, even a single time, enter the o-zone as anything other than the 5th man in.

He looked like a very mobile, very aggressive defensive-defenseman who could probably work on his positioning, but who created loads of opportunities for his team to transition.

i think he consciously keeps the play entirely in front of him. once reg have possession he'll engage and look to make himself an option, but coming up the ice or in neutral zone play he's def been extremely conservative in taking any chances. part of it can most likely be attributed to his instruction/deployment, part to his partner being somewhat of a liability, and part to his just being arguably the most developed and one of the better skating prospects on the ice - he knows he can contain other teams almost single handedly if he just stays in position to do so. there is def offensive skill there though. also love his breakouts and physicality. not sure what the ceiling is here because he tries to play within the game and not go all superstar coast to coast all the time but he's a real nice prospect to have aboard.

 

[Harbour Dog]

i think he consciously keeps the play entirely in front of him. once reg have possession he'll engage and look to make himself an option, but coming up the ice or in neutral zone play he's def been extremely conservative in taking any chances. part of it can most likely be attributed to his instruction/deployment, part to his partner being somewhat of a liability, and part to his just being arguably the most developed and one of the better skating prospects on the ice - he knows he can contain other teams almost single handedly if he just stays in position to do so. there is def offensive skill there though. also love his breakouts and physicality. not sure what the ceiling is here because he tries to play within the game and not go all superstar coast to coast all the time but he's a real nice prospect to have aboard.

It definitely looked that way in that one game.

Not sure if my critique of him sounded negative in some way (the connotation of "defensive-defenseman" perhaps), but it certainly wasn't meant to be.

He was absolutely dominant in his physical matchups, and it certainly looked like a conscious choice to not join the rush. That's why I referenced his deployment; he looked more than capable of being very active in the o-zone.

 

[eco's bones]

Halverson is a bust. He doesn’t move well at all for a pro goalie and almost embarrassingly extremely stiff. Not flexible not agile. I’m really surprised he got drafted so highly. He’s big and moved the puck well. Was enough To get him drafted but he’s not a good goalie at all. Bust

You’d hope between shesterkin georgiev and huska that you’ve got an elite starter in there. Hopefully.

He played for a really good team the year he was drafted. That might have helped too.

Some of the Rangers scouts are ex-goalies and I'm sure Allaire took a look at him too and thought there was something there. Sometimes players don't really progress or progress much. I think that's what's happened here. FWIW I look at Halverson and think perhaps Jason Labarbera--who had a nice pro career but took a while to get to the NHL and whose NHL time was almost all as a backup.

 

[cozandeffect]

From April 4th

I’d agree that the offense may not translate as well as I’d like, but the skating and defending ability is top-notch. I’d say he probably ends up similar to Mattias Ekholm, but there’s definitely potential for more there

I think you're underrating Ekholm a bit. If Hajek is that good we win this trade no matter how good the rest of the guys in the deal turn out.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I think you're underrating Ekholm a bit. If Hajek is that good we win this trade no matter how good the rest of the guys in the deal turn out.

If Hajek turns into Ekholm, I honestly don't care what the other assets become. An Ekholm-level defenseman would be amazing.

 

[2014nyr]

It definitely looked that way in that one game.

Not sure if my critique of him sounded negative in some way (the connotation of "defensive-defenseman" perhaps), but it certainly wasn't meant to be.

He was absolutely dominant in his physical matchups, and it certainly looked like a conscious choice to not join the rush. That's why I referenced his deployment; he looked more than capable of being very active in the o-zone.

i didn't take it as an at all negative read on him. i thought it was an accurate read on the game he was playing. likewise i didnt mean to dismiss your read on him, intended to add that while i completely agree w/ that assessment of the game we watched, i believe there's way more offensive ability than he's putting on display. as i mentioned i think part of it is instruction, and the other part is if you've ever played "down" ie filled in for a buddy's team at a level below what you're used to playing, most normal people play a different game. they sit back and play d, control the play but not look to completely dominate it, and every now and again make an aggressive offensive play/take a chance - in a nutshell thats kinda how i see him playing. now this is the memorial cup and not some b level beer league game so the parallel certainly isn't apples to apples. at least for myself though it felt like i was watching a guy that was completely focused on managing the whole sheet and maintaining a position of leverage rather than taking a risk that would compromise his ability to control the play.

 

[Harbour Dog]

i didn't take it as an at all negative read on him. i thought it was an accurate read on the game he was playing. likewise i didnt mean to dismiss your read on him, intended to add that while i completely agree w/ that assessment of the game we watched, i believe there's way more offensive ability than he's putting on display. as i mentioned i think part of it is instruction, and the other part is if you've ever played "down" ie filled in for a buddy's team at a level below what you're used to playing, most normal people play a different game. they sit back and play d, control the play but not look to completely dominate it, and every now and again make an aggressive offensive play/take a chance - in a nutshell thats kinda how i see him playing. now this is the memorial cup and not some b level beer league game so the parallel certainly isn't apples to apples. at least for myself though it felt like i was watching a guy that was completely focused on managing the whole sheet and maintaining a position of leverage rather than taking a risk that would compromise his ability to control the play.

When I read your last post, this was exactly what I thought of. I'm not great by any means, but I've played on levels below what I'm accustomed to, and I probably carried myself very similarly to how Hajek did in that game. Even in so far as moving back from forward to defense.

Obviously it's a different stage, and he wasn't mailing anything in, but that is the exact vibe that I got from him as well. He played almost exclusively to limit chances, and only when there was some o-zone pressure, would he step in and contribute. I suspect that if Fleury never rushed so often, we would of got to see him make a couple more pushes during the game too.

He's above the level he is at, no doubt.

 

[Edge]

Yup...never waste any pick higher than a 4th on a goalie.

And that’s reflected in the best goalies the Rangers have produced in the 2000s.

205th overall, not drafted at all, and maybe (hopefully) 118th overall.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

And that’s reflected in the best goalies the Rangers have produced in the 2000s.

205th overall, not drafted at all, and maybe (hopefully) 118th overall.

Price is an exception and he worked out well as a high pick. But in general, yeah. A high pick is just too risky on a goalie. Looking at the play-off teams this year:

Pekka Rinne: 258th overall
Marc-Andre Fleury: 1st overall
Andrei Vasilevsky: 18th overall
Matt Murray: 83rd overall
Braden Holtby: 93rd overall
Cory Schneider: 26th overall
Tuukka Rask: 21st overall *You could say they... Tuukk a Risk *
Jonathan Quick: 72nd overall
Martin Jones: Undrafted
Devan Dubnyk: 14th overall
Sergei Bobrovsky: Undrafted
Semyon Varlamov: 23rd overall
Brian Elliott: 291st overall
John Gibson: 39th overall
Connor Hellebuyck: 130th overall
Frederik Andersen: 187th & 87th overall

5 were picked in the first round. Some of these in rounds that no longer exist (8th, 9th). They're all over the place.

 

[Fitzy]

The draft age for goaltenders should be increased at least a year, if you want to get any kind of consistency or reasonable projections from scouts about their ability.

As people have posted, the numbers are not optimistic for going goalie early.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

The draft age for goaltenders should be increased at least a year, if you want to get any kind of consistency or reasonable projections from scouts about their ability.

As people have posted, the numbers are not optimistic for going goalie early.

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