Rangers Roundup: NYR Prospects update at WJC, stats, and playoff odds

Anthony Scultore Updated: Jan 1, 2023

new york rangers prospects — From right, Rangers Adam Sykora, a 17-year old forward from Finland, and Bobby Trivigno battle for puck control, during the Rangers Prospect Development Camp at the Rangers Training facility in Greenburgh July 12, 2022. Credit: © Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK

The New York Rangers have entered 2023 with an eye on the future.

As the big club focuses on making a push for the playoffs, several of their top prospects are battling it out for Gold at the World Junior Championships taking place in Canada.

Let’s dive in to the latest news.

NYR Prospects WJC Updates

The World Junior Championships preliminary rounds are complete as the tournament moves into the elimination matches starting on Monday with the Gold Medal game set for January 5.

Five NYR prospects are at the tournament with four of them on their respective countries main rosters.

In Group A, Jaroslav Chmelar and Czechia won it with 10 points (3-0-1). Canada with Brennan Othmann took second place with 9 points (3-1-0). Sweden and Germany advanced as well.

BRENNAN OTHMANN HAS TWO🚨

Canada restores its 3 goal lead!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/tKgFyrgOBQ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 1, 2023

Over in Group B, the U.S took the top spot with 9 points (3-1-0). Both Finland with Kalle Vaisanen and Slovakia with Adam Sykora tied with 7 points. Switzerland was the final team to round out the advancing teams.

Slovakia opens the scoring on a 1st period marker from Adam Sýkora! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/bdi7B8aquB
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 31, 2022

NYR Prospects Scoring at WJC

Brennan Othmann (CAN): 4GP, 2G – 1A, 3 PTS, +2
Jaroslav Chmelar (CZE): 4GP, 3G – 2A, 5 PTS, +6
Kalle Vaisanen (FIN): 4GP, 1G – 1A, 2 PTS, +3
Adam Sykora (SVK): 4GP, 1G – 0A, 1 PT, EVEN

Quarterfinal Schedule (Monday, January 2)

Finland vs Sweden (11:00 AM ET) – Vaisanen looks to advance
Czechia vs Switzerland (1: 30 PM ET) – Chmelar looks to advance
U.S. vs Germany (4:00 PM ET)
Canada vs Slovakia (6:30 PM ET) – Othmann against Sykora

Note: Rangers prospect Noah Laba is officially listed as an extra on Team USA’s roster in case of injury.

New York Rangers stats

k'andre miller new york rangers — Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers enter the new year with several of their players posting solid offensive numbers. Let’s take a look at those stats:

Goal Leader(s): Mika Zibanejad (16) and Chris Kreider (16)
Assist Leader: Artemi Panarin (32)
Points Leader: Artemi Panarin (41)
Points Leader Defense: Adam Fox (35)
PPG Leader: Mika Zibanejad (10)
PPG Assist Leader: Artemi Panarin (15)
SHG Leader: 4 players tied with 1 (Zibanejad, Kreider, Trouba, Vesey)
SHG Assist Leader: K’Andre Miller (2)
+/- Leaders: Ryan Lindgren (+13)
Hits Leader: Jacob Trouba (116)
Blocks Leader: Jacob Trouba (91)

Igor Shesterkin leads the Rangers in goaltending stats with a record of 17-6-5 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.41 GAA. He also has one shutout on the season.

Stats per Hockey-Reference

Per the website MoneyPuck, the Rangers have a 42.4% of making the playoffs.