New York Rangers prospects watch: Lundkvist, Kravtsov, Othmann, Cuylle, and Garand
The New York Rangers will be back to work at practice on February 11. This lull in the action provides us time to catch up on some of the organization’s top prospects.
Some of these players may not necessarily have a future with the Blueshirts, but all will play a pivotal part in their quest for their first Stanley Cup since 1994.
New York Rangers prospects: Nils Lundkvist
In the 2018 NHL Draft, the New York Rangers made three first round selections. Vitali Kravtsov, K’Andre Miller, and Nils Lundkvist.
Lundkvist, the 21 year-old Swede made the team out of training camp this season. He played 25 games and registered four points in his time with the big club before being sent to the Hartford Wolf Pack to get more ice time.
Since joining the Pack, he’s picked up three points in 10 contests including his first AHL goal on Saturday. Lundkvist is a surefire NHL defenseman, it just may be with another team. Thanks to the Rangers depth on the right side that includes Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, and now Braden Schneider, he’s become expendable.
Vitali Kravtsov
Kravtsov, 22, is playing really well for Traktor in the KHL. In 19 games, he’s registered 6 goals, 7 assists for 13 points.
He was selected by the Rangers in the 2018 Draft, 9th overall. His situation and fallout with the organization is well documented. What remains abundantly clear is that GM Chris Drury will not rush a trade, but he is expected to be moved at the NHL Trade Deadline. If not, things could get a little more interesting.
The rumblings have Kravtsov possibly heading to Vegas for rental forward Reilly Smith. He could also be used in a larger package for a player like J.T. Miller if the Canucks opt to move him at the deadline. Lastly, should all else fail, he will garner a second round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Brennan Othmann
The New York Rangers selected 6-0, 175-pound forward Brennan Othmann 15th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He had an impressive camp for a 18 year-old and appears to have a bright future with the Rangers.
This season for the Flint Firebirds, he’s registered 57 points in 38 games on the strength of 30 goals. Othmann was also named captain of the team last month.
He turned 19 on January 5th and is expected to be ready to compete for a roster spot next training camp.
Will Cuylle
The Blueshirts drafted Cuylle in the 2020 draft, in the second round (60th overall). The pick was acquired from the L.A. Kings in exchange for Lias Andersson. The 6-3, 212 lbs, 20 year-old winger had an impressive training camp before being sent back to the OHL.
This season in the OHL, the power forward has 44 points in 33 games with 26 goals. He was also named captain of his team before the 2021-22 campaign started. Cuylle has third line power forward written all over him. If he doesn’t do it with the Rangers it will definitely be somewhere else.
Dylan Garand
The 2020 fourth round pick (103rd overall) is in his fifth season with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League. He’s amassed a record of 24-6-0 with a 1.97 GAA and a .926 SV%. Garand’s numbers are at the top of the WHL as his GAA is best in the league and his SV% is second.
Garand looks like a future NHL goalie, but with Igor Shesterkin looking like the team’s undisputed starter for the next 7-10 seasons, it may have to be elsewhere.
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