Chmelar is latest jumbo-size forward making impression with Rangers
The New York Rangers certainly aren’t viewed as the NHL standard when it comes to drafting and developing young players. However, their recent strategy of taking fliers on giant forwards in the late rounds of the NHL Draft is yielding promise that future contributors might emerge from that group.
The latest to get a shot at sticking on Broadway is rookie forward Jaroslav Chmelar, New York’s fifth-round selection (No. 144 overall) in 2021. Manning the right wing on the fourth line and averaging 8:03 of ice time, the Czechia native and Providence College product is doing enough in that limited audition to make an impression on coach Mike Sullivan.
Weighing in at 6-foot-4 and 226 pounds, Chmelar possesses more than just the size the organization craves. His strong skating yielded two highlight-reel goals, his first two in the NHL, this month. His first came March 5 in a 6-2 home victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, when he grabbed a loose puck in the neutral zone and broke in alone on goaltender Joseph Woll, then beat him with a nifty move that showcased a scorer’s hands.
Jaroslav Chmelar’s improved play earns Mike Sullivan’s praise
Chmelar’s second tally came March 14 in a 4-2 road victory over the Minnesota Wild, on a very similar play to his first goal. The 22-year-old got behind the defense and took a feed from Taylor Raddysh. Using his big frame to hold off a Wild defenseman, he scored on a beautiful backhand to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead in the second period.
The Rangers called up Chmelar from AHL Hartford in early November, and he played six mostly inconsequential games. His most memorable moment in that stretch came in his Nov. 7 NHL debut, when he pounded Detroit Red Wings defenseman Travis Hamonic in a fight during a 4-1 Rangers victory.
Chmelar returned to Hartford in early December. But the Rangers recalled him on March 3 and he’s now a lineup staple, thanks to what his coach sees as substantial growth in his game.
“The biggest observation I’ve had this time around is Jaro is playing the game with a lot more pace,” Sullivan said Wednesday. “Both with his anticipation skills, his recognition skills, and his physical foot speed. His ability to get on top of people, and get on top of pucks, and he’s using his size to his advantage. He’s a physical guy, he’s a big man. And he’s strong and he’s hard to play against. When he finishes checks, he can create anxiety; he can unnerve the opponent.
“I think he’s picked up a step. He’s faster in all the forms that I think is helping him have more success.”
Chmelar didn’t put up big numbers at Providence, finishing with 12 goals and 28 points in 59 games during his two seasons with the Friars. Yet his uncommon skill set for such a big player — strong skating, speed and excellent hands — make him the latest unicorn-type forward prospect to get a chance to show the Rangers organization that he might be capable of handling a regular role. Big forwards who can score, play with physicality and keep up enough to impact the game are among the NHL’s most sought-after commodities. The Blueshirts hope their low-risk approach of trying to unearth some late in the draft brings them at least a couple of keepers.
Chmelar plays on a fourth line on which 6-7, 232-pound Adam Edstrom, a sixth-round pick in 2019, is getting a look at center, thanks to the strong skating and well-rounded game that goes with his huge size and reach. Chmelar effectively took the place of injured Matt Rempe, the 2020 sixth-rounder who’s still trying to establish himself as an NHLer in his third season. The 6-9, 261-pound Rempe’s skills closely resemble those of Chmelar as another massive winger with speed and offensive ability that’s rare in such a large body.
There’s also 6-7, 205-pound Dylan Roobroeck, a 2023 sixth-round selection who could get an opportunity with the Blueshirts this season. In the midst of a second straight strong season with the Wolf Pack, Roobroeck’s advantage over his fellow giants wearing size XXL Blueshirts is the fact that he’s a natural center.
Chmelar’s supposed chance to prove himself could end up be nothing more than fool’s gold, with the Rangers playing out the string in a miserable season and filling out their lineup with rookies. The club’s last-place standing in the Eastern Conference is resulting in largely pressure-free games, although it doesn’t change the fact that Chmelar is doing enough to get noticed by Sullivan.
Despite his size, speed and skill, Chmelar remains raw. Like all young players, he needs to continue to improve his play in all three zones and away from the puck to earn more ice time.
But Sullivan’s comments were encouraging ones for Chmelar’s potential future role on Broadway as the Rangers work to change the identity of the team amid what GM Chris Drury has labeled a “retool” rather than a rebuild.
