The New York Rangers have released their prospect report for January 11, 2021. In this edition, 13 different prospects are mentioned highlighting the deep and talented pipeline that has the Rangers ranked number one.
Below are excerpts from the official report provided to the media via the New York Rangers.
Future Blue: The Rangers top prospects
- Nils Lundkvist registered three goals/points, a plus-three rating, and 12 shots on goal in three games during the past week; he tied a single-game SHL career-high with two goals and established a single-game SHL career-high with eight shots on goal on Jan. 9 against IK Oskarshamn. The Rangers’ first round pick (28th overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has tallied a point in seven of the last nine games (four goals, four assists), in nine of the last 12 games (four goals, six assists), and in 12 of the last 17 games (seven goals, eight assists), and he has also notched four goals in the last four games, recording at least one goal in three of the four contests. Lundkvist has registered 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) and 91 shots on goal in 29 SHL games in 2020-21, and he has averaged 20:23 of ice time per game in the 29 contests.
- Vitali Kravtsov registered a goal on Jan. 8 against Ak Bars, and he tied a single-game KHL career-high with six shots on goal on Jan. 6 against Spartak. The Rangers’ first round pick (ninth overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has recorded 18 points (13 goals, five assists), a plus-four rating, and 101 shots on goal in 37 KHL games with Traktor this season. In addition, he has recorded a goal/point in three of the last five games (three goals) and in four of the last seven games (four goals), and he has tallied a point in five of the last eight contests (four goals, one assist). Despite missing seven games this season, Kravtsov leads Traktor in goals and even strength goals (10), and is tied for third in shots on goal (and is tied for second on the team in shots on goal per game – 2.7).
- Braden Schneider helped Canada earn a silver medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Rangers’ first round pick (19th overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft registered three points (one goal, two assists) and a plus-eight rating in six games in the tournament this year, including two points (one goal, one assist) and a plus-four rating in Canada’s win in the Semifinals against Russia on Jan. 4 to advance to the Gold Medal Game.
- Zachary Jones tied single-game collegiate career-highs with three assists and three points on Jan. 6 vs. New Hampshire, as he registered three power play assists to help UMass win the contest, 4-0. The Rangers’ third round pick (68th overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft extended his point streak to six games, which is a collegiate career-high (three goals, seven assists over the span), and he has tallied 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 13 games with UMass this season. Jones has notched at least one point in nine of 13 games this season.
- Karl Henriksson tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating on Jan. 9 against Farjestad. The Rangers’ second round pick (58th overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft has registered five assists in 28 SHL games with Frolunda this season, and he has also posted a plus-six rating over the last seven contests.
When it comes to which player Karl Henriksson enjoys watching, he didn’t stray far from home. “I really enjoy watching Mika [Zibanejad] play,” he told us in a recent interview. Emulating his fellow countryman and possible future teammate isn’t a bad idea.
Rangers pipeline very deep
- Brett Berard helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Rangers’ fifth round pick (134th overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft registered five points (one goal, four assists) and a plus-eight rating in seven games in the tournament. Berard tied for fourth on the United States in plus/minus rating during the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.
- Lauri Pajuniemi notched an assist and registered four shot attempts (three of which were on goal) in 20:42 of ice time on Jan. 8 against Sport. The Rangers’ fifth round pick (132nd overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft extended his point streak to seven games (five goals, two assists), which is a Liiga career-high, and he has also posted a plus-one rating in five of the seven games. Pajuniemi has tallied nine points (six goals, three assists) and 60 shot attempts (38 of which have been on goal) in 14 games with TPS in 2020-21.
- Hunter Skinner helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Rangers’ fourth round pick (112th overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft made his IIHF World Junior Championship debut, which was also his international hockey debut, with the United States in the Quarterfinals against Slovakia on Jan. 2.
“After I was drafted by the Rangers, I started thinking about my options, college or junior hockey. I felt the London Knights were the best option for me to grow, both as a player and a person, under Mark and Dale Hunter.”
Hunter Skinner
Promising prospects
- Oliver Tarnstrom recorded two goals in the shootout, including the game-winning shot in the shootout, to help Hanvikens defeat Enkopings on Jan. 10. The Rangers’ third round pick (92nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has registered five points (three goals, two assists) and a plus-two rating in seven games with Hanvikens SK in Hockeyettan (third tier league in Sweden) this season.
- Dylan Garand helped Canada earn a silver medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Rangers’ fourth round pick (103rd overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft appeared in one game in the tournament.
- Eric Ciccolini notched an assist/point in each of Michigan’s two games during the past week against Michigan State (two assists), and he also posted a plus-three rating in Michigan’s 9-0 win against Michigan State on Jan. 8. The Rangers’ seventh round pick (205th overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft has registered four points (two goals, two assists) and a plus-four rating in 10 games with the University of Michigan this season.
- Riley Hughes registered a goal, recorded three shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating on Jan. 10 at Merrimack. The Rangers’ seventh round pick (216th overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has recorded five points (four goals, one assist) and a plus-two rating in 10 games with Northeastern this season.
- Yegor Rykov tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating on Jan. 8 against Neftekhimik. He has registered nine assists/points and a plus-10 rating in 37 KHL games with CSKA Moscow this season.
Thank you to the NYR for compiling this great info. Link to full report will be added when available.
