Rangers Prospects Among The Athletic’s Top 100
In Corey Pronman’s ranking of the top 100 NHL prospects, six baby Blueshirts cracked the list. Forwards Vitali Kravtsov, Lias Andersson, and Filip Chytil, along with goaltenders Igor Shestyorkin, Olof Lindbom, and Adam Huska cracked the lineup.
Kravtsov was the highest-ranked of the three skaters coming in at 17th, most notably for his size and hands. As Pronman notes, “he’ll need work off the puck, too, as he can get pushed off pucks a little too easily for a big man. But when he uses his body, his frame protects the puck well.” Kravtsov has looked solid in early KHL play for Traktor, despite not being able to register any points.
Filip Chytil is ranked 23rd on this list, who used his fantastic skating ability and hands to crack the opening night roster last season before being sent down to Hartford. Like Kravtsov, Chytil needs to get stronger. If Filip can put on some muscle, and improve some of the other aspects of his game, like faceoffs, he can be a dominant force on Broadway.
Pronman has Lias Andersson at number 59, with the author saying that while Andersson’s best attributes are his work ethic and hockey sense, he is limited in other areas of his game. “Skill-wise he’s above-average, showing the occasional great flash. His skating is very average and may limit his offensive potential in the NHL.”
As for the goaltenders, Igor Shestyorkin is fourth in Pronman’s mind. As all Rangers fans know, Shestyorkin is one of the best puck-stoppers in the KHL, coming into today’s game with a stellar record.
Igor Shesterkin will make his second consecutive start for SKA today. In his last 68 KHL regular season games, he has posted a 56-6-3 record, along with a 1.65 GAA, a .936 SV%, and 15 SO. #NYR
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) September 12, 2018
Shestyorkin is under contract with SKA until the end of this season, and the hope is that he will make the jump to the NHL as soon as he can.
The other two netminders, 2018 draft pick Olof Lindbom and UConn’s Adam Huska were both honorable mentions.
For the full ranking, click here.
More About:New York Rangers Analysis New York Rangers News NHL News and Rumors