Prospect Info: Rangers Prospects Thread (Stats in Post #1; Updated 8.7.18)

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

And by history meaning the Rangers' last few top-10 picks:

McIlrath
Montoya
Blackburn
Brendl
Lundmark
Malhotra
Sundstrom
More

Again, it had nothing to do with keeping Andersson out of the top 50. Just saying the Rangers gave had horrid luck with their top 10 picks. Like the Jets with QBs or the Knicks with PG's.

If Sundstrom and Malhotra being drafted by Neil Smith 25 and 20 years ago is creeping into anyone's evaluation of a prospect in 2018, the bigger issue is with the the evaluator not the prospect.

Kravtsov, Chytil and Shestyorkin belong on that list. Some of the guys 40-50 being there and not Kravtsov is a joke honestly. Pretty close of Andersson too. Don't like his style all you want, but denying his results is just denying facts. People fall over themselves in an effort to overlook the facts of what Lias did last season in order to only focus on their biased opinion of him, most of which are just doubling down of their pre-draft thoughts in most cases, as a lot of these prospect writers have a tendency to do with most players they love or hate, they have their minds made up before the draft and their opinion rarely changes. Corey Pronman on Michael St.Croix anyone?

Shestyorkin in particular with this piece was asked about in the comments and Wheeler who said he knows nothing about goalies said that he relies on his athleticism too much and his age as being the reasons he's not on the list, yet has Samsonov who actually relies on his athleticism too much and Sorokin who is older than Igor both on the list. Sorry, that is bs.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Lots of words and your post was completely absurd. The bold comment, beyond stupid.

I agree completely. The problem that will face Andersson is that the modern NHL game is based on speed and creativity, vision and stickhandling. Dylan Strome, Gabe Vilardi, Evan Bouchard are average skaters, but they make up for it with elite vision and passing. Andersson is a grind-it-out type who as a center doesn't expand the ice. He makes his money in the trenches. Not saying that's a bad thing. It's just that the common superlatives you hear about Andersson -- leadership, tenacity, strength -- don't align with the way the game is trending for top players. If he turns out to be an elite checker like Jordan Staal, then it's hard to knock the pick, even in Staal's case where Toews and Backstrom are at or near HHOF careers.

Next year's draft is loaded with centers. If the Rangers end up with a high pick, it could bump Andersson down or move him to wing.

Vision is one of the things that sets Andersson apart from his peers. The way he reads the game makes up for not being the fastest skater on the ice. When you follow him during the game, you notice how he moves. He reads the game very well and knows where to be. Jagr had that as well. Not the fastest, but he could sense where the puck would go. Like a chess-player, predicting 2-3 moves ahead.

But what do I know? I've only attended 10 games where Lias was on the ice and focused on him whenever he came off the bench.

 

[Levitate]

Shestyorkin in particular with this piece was asked about in the comments and Wheeler who said he knows nothing about goalies said that he relies on his athleticism too much and his age as being the reasons he's not on the list, yet has Samsonov who actually relies on his athleticism too much and Sorokin who is older than Igor both on the list. Sorry, that is bs.

hah are you kidding me

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

hah are you kidding me

Yup, the exact exchange was:

Commenter: Where did you have Igor Shestyorkin? I've read that some scouts like him more than Sorokin. Curious to see what he lacked that kept him out of even the honorable mentions.

Wheeler: Age was part of it. I think he relies too much on his athleticism, which can burn you in the NHL. We’ll see. Goalies are tough.

The Commenter responds that Sorokin is older than Shestyorkin and he's heard Sorokin is the one who relies more on athleticism and Shestyorkin is known for his great positioning.

Wheeler did not respond.

For Shestyorkin and Kravtsov to not be on this list and not even be Honorable Mentions is frankly indefensible.

 

[Tawnos]

Scott Wheeler covers ALL teams prospects. He travels to all types of games -- AHL, CHL, IIHF -- and gives his reports.

The truth is that fanbases massively overrate their own prospects and usually live in a bubble. I uderstand being protective, but a dose of reality never hurts.

Andersson is not viewed as an elite prospect outside of NY and Sweden. People have to accept the fact that he has two things against him -- Ranger draft history and others from his draft class jumping over him. Good, solid NHL upside and a top-six type. Don't see him as all star type.

Strome was dominant in Tuscon. Wire to wire. He is superior to most forward prospects and improved his foot speed. Elite vision and playmaking. Deadly shot. Still a top-line possibility.

The more you watch other teams' prospects play, the more objective you become and rationalize any ranking or list.

Andersson is not in my top 50. Chytil, Kravtsov and Shestyorkin are. There are 31 teams and only 50 slots. Nuts get clipped.

Except for THN, who rated him as the 14th best prospect in the league (of course, pre-draft). I wonder if anyone there watches prospects play?

Then again, I have little respect for the opinions of supposed journalists who call the professionals idiots. Really makes your opinions seem "objective."

 

[Edge]

While the general consensus is that Andersson probably doesn't project as a first line center, I don't know of many people who don't consider him one of the better prospects in the league.

I would definitely say that being outside the top 50 is very much more the exception than the rule.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I still can't believe we're rehashing the Lias debate. What else could the kid have done in his D+1 year that would've satisfied people? He improved his production in the SHL, had a great WJC, and made the transition to the AHL and scored well there. I get that it's not putting up 100 points in juniors, but how is it not more impressive that he continued to score in 2 separate professional hockey leagues?

 

[ThirdEye]

He's just not a sexy prospect... end of story. Until he makes a name for himself in the NHL the general NHL populous will continue to undermine him. To really gauge his potential you have to watch him regularly and that's just not something most NHL fans have the luxury of doing. As with any prospect, he'll get as good as chance as any to shut the naysayers up.

 

[Miamipuck]

I still can't believe we're rehashing the Lias debate. What else could the kid have done in his D+1 year that would've satisfied people? He improved his production in the SHL, had a great WJC, and made the transition to the AHL and scored well there. I get that it's not putting up 100 points in juniors, but how is it not more impressive that he continued to score in 2 separate professional hockey leagues?

Well he didn't rescue kittens, so he is automatically not in the top 50.

 

[pblawr]

I still can't believe we're rehashing the Lias debate. What else could the kid have done in his D+1 year that would've satisfied people? He improved his production in the SHL, had a great WJC, and made the transition to the AHL and scored well there. I get that it's not putting up 100 points in juniors, but how is it not more impressive that he continued to score in 2 separate professional hockey leagues?

Yeah, from a statistical perspective, it actually has a lot of meaning that he scored at impressive rates in 2 different leagues and at the WJC. The odds that he would score at impressive rates in 3 separate situations and, in all 3 separate situations, his production would be a product of the situation he was in instead of his skill and abilities are pretty low.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

Here’s something really refreshing..

Chytil cannot legally drink in the US until 2021. Let that sink in for moment.

Holy **** I’ll be 40 in 3 years.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I still can't believe we're rehashing the Lias debate. What else could the kid have done in his D+1 year that would've satisfied people? He improved his production in the SHL, had a great WJC, and made the transition to the AHL and scored well there. I get that it's not putting up 100 points in juniors, but how is it not more impressive that he continued to score in 2 separate professional hockey leagues?

And he made the senior national team for the Carlson Games in Pardubice, Sweden Hockey Games in Stockholm, and World Championship in Denmark at the end of the season.

Traverse City: 4
NHL pre-season: 3
CHL: 7
SHL: 22
NHL: 7
AHL: 25
World Juniors: 7
Int. Juniors: 13
International: 8
Euro Hockey Tour: 6
World Championship: 10

112 games in 11 different competitions, in 10 different countries

 

[NYR713]

Keane had a nice assist, getting in deep and centering a pass. Around 30 second mark

 

[Harbour Dog]

Keane had a nice assist, getting in deep and centering a pass. Around 30 second mark

That music does not fit a hockey highlight reel in the slightest

 

[kovazub94]

Shestyorkin, Rykov and Kravtsov were invited to participate in the Russian National Olympic Team camp taking place in August 3-8 in Sochi. Olympic is used to represent "near reserve" to Russia's main National Team.

It will play in the tournament with KHL teams: Ak Bars, HK Sochi, SKA, Loko etc

Состав олимпийской сборной на турнир Sochi Hockey Open

Edit: Sucks for Kravtsov since he needs to keep playing with his new center Stoa to develop chemistry and / or risking losing his 2RW spot (similar thing happened to Buch the year after we drafted him). Silver lining - it's a short tournament.

 

[NYR713]

That music does not fit a hockey highlight reel in the slightest

lol... if you work in video or media production you always have a bunch of generic music around to use in projects so you aren't worrying about copyright infringement and stuff. I feel like this guy or girl editing could have tried a couple more out haha

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

That music does not fit a hockey highlight reel in the slightest

I definitely saw a soccer player highlight video to Evanescence - My Immortal once and the dude wasn't dead

 

[LaffyTaffy]

Don't like that Lundkvist was scratched for today's Sweden game, anyone know anything about the situation?

 

[Joey Bones]

And he made the senior national team for the Carlson Games in Pardubice, Sweden Hockey Games in Stockholm, and World Championship in Denmark at the end of the season.

Traverse City: 4
NHL pre-season: 3
CHL: 7
SHL: 22
NHL: 7
AHL: 25
World Juniors: 7
Int. Juniors: 13
International: 8
Euro Hockey Tour: 6
World Championship: 10

112 games in 11 different competitions, in 10 different countries

This proves the workload he can carry. There is obvious fatigue in that much travel, let alone games played. Imagine what he could do if he can stay in one spot for a full season!!

 

[Joey Bones]

lol... if you work in video or media production you always have a bunch of generic music around to use in projects so you aren't worrying about copyright infringement and stuff. I feel like this guy or girl editing could have tried a couple more out haha

I feel this everyday....

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Don't like that Lundkvist was scratched for today's Sweden game, anyone know anything about the situation?

Think he played yesterday, his turn to sit one out. I don’t think he has a huge chance to make the WJC team this year anyway if I’m remembering Sweden’s depth chart (depending on who goes)

 

[Mikos87]

And he made the senior national team for the Carlson Games in Pardubice, Sweden Hockey Games in Stockholm, and World Championship in Denmark at the end of the season.

Traverse City: 4
NHL pre-season: 3
CHL: 7
SHL: 22
NHL: 7
AHL: 25
World Juniors: 7
Int. Juniors: 13
International: 8
Euro Hockey Tour: 6
World Championship: 10

112 games in 11 different competitions, in 10 different countries

He was overplayed last year coming into camp and the fatigue showed.

Thats a high mileage rate on a teenager... You known what that means?

It means management on those teams think he's a player worth dressing... Especially at high level competition.

Heck I would have liked to see him get some SHL playoff games in there on top of that.

 

[Ola]

And he made the senior national team for the Carlson Games in Pardubice, Sweden Hockey Games in Stockholm, and World Championship in Denmark at the end of the season.

Traverse City: 4
NHL pre-season: 3
CHL: 7
SHL: 22
NHL: 7
AHL: 25
World Juniors: 7
Int. Juniors: 13
International: 8
Euro Hockey Tour: 6
World Championship: 10

112 games in 11 different competitions, in 10 different countries

Sweden left a couple of guys off their roster so they wouldn’t have to endure the ‘Lias-situation’ this WJSS...

 

[tradenashnow]

The fact that Andersson played in the NHL at 18 for the Rangers speaks volumes to his maturity. Rangers rarely ever do this. To have 2 kids in the same year do that is a real good sign. IMO, Duclair should have never been put into the NHL by the Rangers at the age he did. He should have gone back to juniors and played at least one full AHL season. However, I don't think it would have mattered. His work ethic stinks.

Best way to describe Andersson game based on all scouting reports is that he's a winning player. He's a winner period. He does everything really well. He's also exceptionally smart from all the reports which this team badly needs. As well as having and incredible work ethic which this team badly needs. Watching this team the past 2 years it has been full of lazy, stupid players who constantly screw up.

 

[doomscroll]

And he made the senior national team for the Carlson Games in Pardubice, Sweden Hockey Games in Stockholm, and World Championship in Denmark at the end of the season.

Traverse City: 4
NHL pre-season: 3
CHL: 7
SHL: 22
NHL: 7
AHL: 25
World Juniors: 7
Int. Juniors: 13
International: 8
Euro Hockey Tour: 6
World Championship: 10

112 games in 11 different competitions, in 10 different countries

The most valuable qualification of Andersson's game that can be taken from this is that he seems likely to remain a fairly consistent producer through an 82-game season. The most sobering aspect of jumping from another league to the NHL is that the latter is not only tougher in competition, but it runs away from the pack in terms of scheduling. A prospect can be skilled, smart, and athletic; but if they can't be all of those things in November and February and April, then they are ultimately found wanting as a player. The Rangers as a franchise have struggled to reconcile skill and perseverance in the line-up, and Andersson may have the qualities as a player that can allow the team (namely their top-nine) to continue spinning the wheel against fatigue and adversity.

It isn't enough to cross fingers and hope that the Kreiders of this team will somehow will a spark of consistency into their play, they need to instead be put in a situation where falling out of a play or losing drive will make them the exception on the team, rather than the expectation. Perhaps there will be a sense of accountability among the mentality of the team, that a boy can come into the lineup with the kind of appetite every player on the team ought to have.