With this year and possibly even next year serving as rebuilding seasons for the Rangers, just how big of a role will each of this players serve moving forward?
Players in this series will be listed 25-1, but will be broken up into clear tiers to distinguish the different groupings and levels represented in the organization.
In Part 3, we’re taking a closer look at a collection of Rangers prospects who have the chance to take massive steps forward in the coming season.[/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”true” id=”” class=”” style=””]#22 – G Adam Huska[/custom_headline][image type=”circle” float=”none” src=”2886″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”aligncenter” style=””][text_output]Stats: 2.59 GAA, .912 S% in 27 games for UConn (NCAA)
It wasn’t a banner 2017-18 season for most of the second-tier goalie prospects in the Rangers organization. Where Tyler Wall struggled with performance, Adam Huska struggled mostly with injury.
The 2015 seventh-round pick was hampered by a wrist injury for most of UConn’s season, which put a damper on higher expectations following a strong freshman year in Storrs.
While the Huskies weren’t the same caliber team they were the season prior, Huska still managed to nearly replicate his numbers, injury and all. He lowered his GAA from 2.87 to 2.59, but saw his save percentage drop from .916 to .912.
I don’t think it’s fair to characterize Huska’s upcoming junior season at UConn as any kind of make-or-break campaign, especially considering the two solid years he has under his belt. However, improvement across the board should be expected, especially now that he says he’s better adjusted to the daily routine of being a student-athlete and his wrist is healthy.[/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”true” id=”” class=”” style=””]#21 – D Jacob Ragnarsson[/custom_headline][image type=”circle” float=”none” src=”2888″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”aligncenter” style=””][text_output]Stats: 4 goals, 9 assists in 47 games for Almtuna IS (Allsvenskan)
Considering the amount of initial grief Jeff Gorton and company received for this year’s draft, it seems unjustified to lambaste the class now that we’re a few months removed from draft night. We’ve already talked about Joey Keane’s emerging presence on prospect lists, and seventh-round pick Riley Hughes easily could’ve pushed his way into discussions as well.
Ragnarsson is a super intriguing defensive prospect who flew under a lot of radars entering this year’s draft before the Rangers snagged him with their first of two third-round picks this year.
Maybe nobody (outside of our own Drew Way) was higher on Ragnarsson than Canucks Army, who ranked him as their 55th-best prospect entering the draft this year (Rangers drafted him 70th-overall). According to Canucks Army, Ragnarsson’s defensive game for the second-division Almtuna IS continued to improve as the year went along, and played an important role for the team in most situations. While his scoring was down this past season, he was nearly a point-a-game player in the under-18 and under-20 circuits leading into this season, suggesting that there’s more offensive potential to be uncovered as he develops.
Note from Drew Way: The piece by Ryan Biech of Canucks Army that Greg referenced led to me taking a pretty deep pre-draft dive into Ragnarsson, and I ended up really liking what I found. He’s not a dynamic player, and due to that, those who base their prospect analysis on upside and highlight reels will likely never come away overly impressed with Ragnarsson. However, he plays a strong two-way game, has good instincts with and without the puck, and plays a physical but smart brand of hockey that should lead to him eventually endearing himself with fans. Obviously he still has work to do, but at this point, I’m willing to die on the hill that Ragnarsson is a very underrated prospect in the Rangers system, and very much belongs on this tier in this ranking. [/text_output]
Few prospects in the Rangers system – or in all of hockey for that matter – provide a more wide range of opinions than Sean Day.
Viewed as a first-round talent, Day fell to the Rangers in the third-round of the 2016 draft, mostly due to questions about his conditioning and even his desire. This is the same prospect who received junior hockey’s rare and coveted exceptional status that allowed him to join the ranks a year early.
But Day never really shined in the OHL, at least not until he was traded last year from Windsor to Kingston. The talented two-way defender put up 26 points in 23 games, and credited an ability to finally play a style of hockey he was comfortable with for the spike in production. Still, in what was his fifth season playing junior hockey, anything but a spike in production would’ve been seen as a massive disappointment.
To me, 2018-19 feels like an absolute make-or-break season for Day. There’s part of me that feels I’m being too harsh on Day by saying that, considering this will be his first season in professional hockey and will likely need an adjustment period to succeed in the AHL.
At the same time, the Rangers have put an emphasis on adding more defensive prospects to their ranks, and Day is in serious danger of being lapped. I don’t think it’s a controversial position to say he’s been passed already by both Libor Hajek and Neal Pionk, and the Rangers used first round picks on the likes of K’Andre Miller and Nils Lundkvist. Day could slip into obscurity if he struggles out of the gates this season.
Now, that’s not to say everything is doom and gloom with the big lefty. He’s still a tantalizing two-way defender who presents nearly endless offensive upside. He’s also guaranteed to get top-four minutes for Hartford this year, so he’s going to be given every opportunity to break out and force his way into the team’s immediate plans.
His only problem is the clock has been ticking on him for quite some time, and this could be the year Cinderella reaches midnight.
Note from Drew: Day is a very hard guy to analyze for all of the reasons Greg listed. His skill set, size and very strong skating ability allow him to really jump off the screen when he is playing well. However, for one reason or another, he is a very inconsistent player and does make some truly mind-numbing decisions both on and off the puck. I’m rooting for Day, as I’m rooting for all Rangers prospects, but he really needs to have an excellent year in Hartford for me to think he has any future with the Rangers given the players we have above him on this list. [/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”true” id=”” class=”” style=””]#19 – RW Ty Ronning[/custom_headline][image type=”circle” float=”none” src=”2893″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”aligncenter” style=””][text_output]Stats: 61 goals, 23 assists in 70 games for Vancouver Giants (WHL); 0 goals, 0 assists in 3 games for Hartford (AHL)
Let me start off by being completely honest with you; I love Ty Ronning. In fact, my love for Ty Ronning knows no bounds, and there’s no player (Buchnevich included) who I’m rooting for more next season to succeed than Ty Ronning.
Alright, cool. We got the biases out of the way early. Let’s get into this.
Ty Ronning made the WHL his bitch last season. That’s the technical term for it, and the only way to explain his breakout season. In fairness, as an overage player entering his fifth season in the league, it would’ve been extremely concerning if Ronning didn’t bend the league over and force other teams to call him daddy.
Ronning’s season last year has changed his entire prospect narrative. The 2016 seventh-round pick went from an undersized legacy with scoring upside to a speedy, goal scoring monster who just happens to be on the low end of 5’9″. Size isn’t an eliminating factor anymore in the NHL (see: Zuccarello, Mats), but the knock for the longest time on Ronning is that his speed would not be able to make up for his stature. That’s not the case anymore, and the added bump in his skating ability helped see his goal production nearly triple from 2016-17 to 17-18.
While I’m higher on Ronning long-term than I am either Meskanen or Lindqvist, I do think there’s a benefit to starting Ronning out in Hartford. Getting a chance to experience his first full season of professional hockey alongside one of Brett Howden or Gabriel Fontaine is perfect not just for Ronning, but for both Howden and Fontaine.
There is a chance Ronning forces the Rangers hand in training camp and earns a spot on the opening night roster, and I’m here for that. Putting him alongside Lias Andersson would be so much fun to watch on a nightly basis, even if we’re only getting 10 minutes of it at a time. At the same time, I’m trying to be slightly realistic in my first season expectations for Ronning.
If he piles in goals in Hartford, he could skyrocket up this list ahead of next season.[/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”true” id=”” class=”” style=””]#18 – G Alexandar Georgiev[/custom_headline][image type=”circle” float=”none” src=”2895″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”aligncenter” style=””][text_output]Stats: 2.98 GAA, ,909 S% in 37 games with Hartford (AHL); 3.15 GAA, .918 S% in 10 games with Rangers
Don’t let those numbers fool you; Alexandar Georgiev was one of the biggest bright spots for Hartford last year. The Rangers were hoping former second-round pick Brandon Halverson would eventually run away with the Wolfpack goalie gig, but his struggles along his developmental road created an opportunity for guys like Georgiev, who entered the system last summer as an undrafted European free agent.
Georgiev was solid every step of the way last season, and more than held his own when pressed into service for the Rangers towards the end of the season. His GAA for his 10-game stint looks rough on the surface, but then you remember the utter dumpster fire of a defense he was playing in front of, and it begins to make some sense.
One has to believe the reason the Rangers haven’t been more aggressive about adding a veteran back-up goalie for Henrik Lundqvist this coming season is because of their comfort with the idea of Georgiev being that guy. In fact, it’s hard to argue there being anything better for his development long-term than getting a full year under the tutelage of Benoit Allaire.
The ceilings may be higher for both Tyler Wall and Adam Huska, but the floor on Georgiev has already been established. At his worst, his a spot-starter back-up for a middle-of-the-road NHL team. That has value in the NHL, and that value is only enhanced when that’s already been established for a 22-year-old.[/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”true” id=”” class=”” style=””]#17 – D Ryan Lindgren[/custom_headline][image type=”circle” float=”none” src=”2896″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”aligncenter” style=””][text_output]Stats: 2 goals, 7 assists in 35 games for Minnesota (NCAA); 2 goals, 2 assists in 10 games for Hartford (AHL)
If there’s one thing to hang your hat on about last season, it’s that Jeff Gorton knew the defense needed a long-term overhaul. From removing Alain Vigneault as head coach to acquiring a defenseman in every big trade he made at the deadline last year, Gorton identified what this team’s weakness was and went about trying to fix that for the next time the Rangers will be competitive.
Lindgren isn’t as highly regarded as Libor Hajek, but his skill set is still very intriguing. He’s talked this summer about bringing a rugged style of play to the Rangers that excites some in the organization. However, I don’t think it’s necessarily fair to label him a “throwback defender”, which comes with some negative connotations.
Yes, Lindgren is comfortable playing in the defensive zone and using his body along the boards. And yes, to this point in his development, his offensive game thus far has been limited. But people we’ve talked to who follow Minnesota’s program closely suggest that part of Lindgren’s recent offensive depression may have more to do with how Minnesota’s defensive system is run instead of him not possessing the skills to perform well in that third of the ice.
Like many others, I had always assumed Lindgren was going to play at least his junior year at Minnesota before turning pro, but he signed his ELC once the NCAA ended. Almost immediately, we saw something in his offensive game that lacked in college, which helps indicate that there’s additional growth to be made there.
Hartford’s defense next year is going to be the most talented it’s arguably ever been. On the left side, Keith McCambridge and Chris Drury will have to come up with a plan to get minutes for Lindgren, Day and Hajek. All three should be playing top four minutes at minimum, so the juggling that will be needed is going to tricky.
Like with the centers, it’s foolish to expect every defensive prospect the Rangers have accumulated to reach their full potential. However, with Lindgren, we’re already seeing signs of continued growth.
That alone is more than intriguing as he prepares to enter his first full pro season.[/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”true” id=”” class=”” style=””]#16 – D Yegor Rykov[/custom_headline][image type=”circle” float=”none” src=”2264″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”aligncenter” style=””][text_output]Stats: 2 goals, 12 assists in 53 games with SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
Jeff Gorton did incredibly well in every trade deadline deal he made last season, but he may have saved his best work for the deal he made with the New Jersey Devils.
It’s not to say the combination of Libor Hajek and Brett Howden is necessarily underwhelming. Nor is it to call a return of Ryan Spooner, Ryan Lindgren and a first round pick for a couple months of Rick Nash light.
Instead, it’s the fact that Michael Grabner – who eventually became a healthy scratch for the Devils in the playoffs – was turned into a second round pick and an intriguing Russian defenseman named Yegor Rykov.
Rykov has been developing his trade with the best team the KHL has to offer, so it’s worth noting when a defenseman as young as Rykov is able to carve out a role with a team that talented. He has been regarded as a well-rounded defender, with the ability to move the puck quickly up the ice. Rangers management has also gone out of their way to applaud his maturity and mental toughness, highlighting the tough minutes he’s already played for a top team in arguably the most competitive European league.
The best thing for Rykov’s development is for him to get another year under his belt in the KHL. As mentioned when I discussed Lindgren, the Rangers have a bit of a depth overload in Hartford this year (and again, that’s great!). Rykov seeing extended minutes in a European professional league will do wonders for those trying to figure out where his game is going to end up in the long run.
The Rangers wanted to refill the prospect pool with upside defenders who could have an impact on this team within the next two years. Rykov is the very definition of that type of prospect, and adding him at the expense of Michael Grabner could turn out to be a major coup.[/text_output][custom_headline type=”center” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”true” id=”” class=”” style=””]#15 – D Nils Lundkvist[/custom_headline][image type=”circle” float=”none” src=”2899″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”aligncenter” style=””][text_output]Stats: 3 goals, 11 assists in 26 games for Lulea HF J20 (SuperElit); 2 goals, 3 assists in 28 games for Lulea HF (SHL)
The first of the Rangers three first round picks from this year’s draft has graced us with his presence.
Lundkvist was dwarfed by fellow Swedish defenseman Adam Boqvist in terms of hype before the draft began, but that was obviously no fault of his own. Tobias Pettersson and Alex Nunn – two guys you should’ve already been following on Twitter for their prospect takes – were fairly high on Lundkvist ahead of the draft, pumping up puck-moving abilities and his ability to show plus-potential in all three zones.
The reasons I, a simpleton, like Lundkvist so much? One of them is a running theme you may have noticed thus far: I like that, as a teenager, Lundkvist did more than just survive in a professional league. It’s not that guys who play in the SHL, KHL or Liiga are naturally better than those who come to the NHL by way of juniors. It’s that professional leagues present a completely different variable for those players, and it challenges them immediately at a young age.
Lundkvist didn’t have a starring role in Sweden’s top league last year, but after a dominant showing on the junior circuit, he’s primed to see a boost in his ice time this coming season.
The other reason I’m high on Lundkvist – he comes with a right-handed shot. Right-handed defenseman are the new Great White Buffalo of the NHL. Nobody can ever have enough, and he’s the first to appear on the 25 under 25 so far. Lundkvist would still be in this tier of prospects if he played left-handed, but having the right side shot most certainly helps his stock in my eyes.
If we’re sticking with the theory that Adam Boqvist stole all of the limelight going into the draft from his fellow Swede, it’s worth pointing out that Lundkvist doesn’t come with nearly as many question marks. Of course, Lundkvist also doesn’t come with the star potential Boqvist has flashed, but that doesn’t diminish Lundkvist’s prospect status in my mind.
The Rangers did incredibly well in this year’s first round. Adding a talented, two-way defender who plays from the right side is a much needed boost to the prospect pool.
Note from Drew: Personally, I think the case can be made that Lundkvist belongs on a tier with the likes of K’Andre Miller and Libor Hajek. In our mock draft earlier this year, I had the Rangers taking Lundkvist at 26, so obviously I was very happy when we got him at 28. While he doesn’t have a dynamic skill set, he does everything pretty well, and is a gifted puck-mover. In my viewings of him, perhaps his most impressive attribute is the way he sees the ice. He is patient with the puck on his stick, and continuously has shown the ability to not jump on the first passing opportunity, and instead wait, let play develop, and find the better pass to make. I think he shows good defensive instincts, but will absolutely need to hit the gym hard and add some muscle before he will be ready to crack an NHL roster. [/text_output]
Author: Greg Kaplan
Greg Kaplan is a man of mystery. Did he write this? No. Was he asked to write this? Yes. But did he write this article? Maybe, do you like it?