The New York Rangers have released their prospect report for February 15, 2021. This is a jam-packed edition with Nils Lundkvist continuing to impress and giving fans hope for a star-studded defense on Broadway.
Below are excerpts from the official report provided to the media via the New York Rangers.
New York Rangers Prospect Report: Nils Lundkvist is the real deal
NILS LUNDKVIST (D – 20 y/o, 1st Rd 28 overall 2018 Draft)
Season Stats – 40 GP, 10-14-24, +1, 16 PIM
- Represented Sweden at the Beijer Hockey Games; served as one of Sweden’s alternate captains in the tournament.
- Tallied a power play goal and led all skaters with six shots on goal in a game-high 24:56 of ice time to help Sweden defeat the Czech Republic on Feb. 11
- Led all skaters with 28:07 of ice time (including 9:03 of ice time in the third period and 3:30 of ice time in overtime) and registered three shots on goal on Feb. 13 against Russia
VITALI KRAVTSOV (RW – 21 y/o, 1st Rd 9 overall 2018 Draft)
SeasSeason Stats – 46 GP, 15-8-23, +6, 12 PIM
- Represented Russia at the Beijer Hockey Games; skated in three games
- Played with Russia’s Men’s National Team for the first time in his career
Kravtsov unfortunately didn’t have a great go of it in the tournament. He was benched in the showdown against Sweden and Nils Lundkvist. Russia did win that contest in a shootout.
Tarmo Reunanen impresses for Wolf Pack
TARMO REUNANEN (D – 22 y/o, 4th Rd 98 overall 2016 Draft)
Season Stats – 2 GP, 2-1-3, +2, 0 PIM
- Tallied a goal on Feb. 11 at Providence
- Has registered a goal/point in each of Hartford’s two games this season
Check out our Wolf Pack report for more on Reunanen and other prospects.
WILL CUYLLE (LW – 19 y/o, 2nd Rd 60 overall 2020 NHL Draft)
Season Stats – 2 GP, 1-1-2, +2, 0 PIM
- Recorded his first career AHL assist and posted a plus-one rating on Feb. 11 at Providence
- Has tallied a point in each of Hartford’s two games this season
Patrick Khoderenko (C – 22 y/o, undrafted)
Season Stats – 2 GP, 1-0-1, E, 2 PIM
- Recorded his first career AHL goal/point, which was the game-winning goal, on Feb. 11 at Providence
Rounding out the remaining prospects
LAURI PAJUNIEMI (RW – 21 y/o, 5th Rd 2018 Draft)
Season Stats – 26 GP, 11-10-21, +8, 22 PIM
- Posted back-to-back multi-point games on Feb. 10 against Ilves (0-2-2) and Feb. 12 against KooKoo (1-1-2); registered 24 shot attempts in four games during the past week
- Has registered a point in 16 of the last 19 games (10-9-19)
BRETT BERARD (C – 18 y/o, 5th Rd 2020 Draft)
Season Stats – 13 GP, 3-4-7, -2, 14 PIM
- Tallied an assist on the game-winning goal, recorded three shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating on Feb. 12 against UConn
- Extended his point streak to four games (2-2-4); has registered a point in five of the last six games (2-3-5)
“I’ve been working towards this my whole life,” Berard told Forever Blueshirts about being drafted. “That day to finally come and see my name on TV is something I will never forget. Being home with my mom and dad, it was awesome. It was pretty crazy“.
BRADEN SCHNEIDER (D – 19 y/o, 1st Rd 19th overall 2020 Draft)
Season Stats (in AHL with Hartford Wolf Pack) – 2 GP, 0-1-1, +2, 0 PIM
- Recorded his first career AHL assist/point and posted a plus-one rating with the Wolf Pack on Feb. 11 at Providence
- Rejoined the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) following the announcement that Brandon will open its season on Mar. 12
Editor’s Note: Thank you to the NYR for compiling this great info.
