The Rangers have released their first official prospect report. In this edition, Lias Andersson and Vitali Kravtsov lead the way due to their offensive prowess. Followed by Swedish prospects, Nils Lundkvist and Karl Henriksson.
Below are excerpts from the official report provided to the media via the New York Rangers. It touches on all active prospects overseas.
OFFICIAL: New York Rangers Prospect Report 9/8/20
- Lias Andersson tallied five points (two goals, three assists) to help HV71 (SHL) win its pre-season game on Sept. 5 against Linkoping. The Rangers’ first round pick (seventh overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has registered five goals in six pre-season games this year with HV71, and he has recorded at least one goal in four of the six contests. Andersson registered 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 15 SHL games with HV71 to conclude the 2019-20 season, and he tallied a goal/point in six of the final nine games of the season (seven goals, three assists over the span).
- Vitali Kravtsov tallied a goal and led all skaters with six shots on goal in Traktor’s second game of the 2020-21 KHL regular season on Sept. 6 against Kunlun. He also recorded five shots on goal, registered eight shot attempts, and logged 16:41 of ice time (including 5:08 of ice time considered time on attack) while skating in his first game of the 2020-21 KHL regular season on Sept. 3 against Avtomobilist. Kravtsov played on Traktor’s second line at even strength during the first two games of the season, and he also played on Traktor’s top power play unit in each contest.
- Nils Lundkvist tallied a power play assist to help Lulea earn a win in its pre-season game on Sept. 3 against Bjorkloven. The Rangers’ first round pick (28th overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft recorded 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) and a plus-18 rating in 45 SHL games with Lulea last season. Lundkvist’s 31 points and 20 assists in 2019-20 were each the most by an SHL defenseman in his U20 season or younger in league history, and his 11 goals were tied for the most by an SHL defenseman in his U20 season or younger in league history. His 31 points, 20 assists, and plus-18 rating were each the best by an SHL player in his U20 season or younger (regardless of position) last season, and he tallied nine more points and nine more assists than any other player in his U20 season or younger in the SHL in 2019-20.
- Karl Henriksson re-joined Frolunda (SHL) during the past week after playing in two pre-season games with Sweden’s U20 National Team during the final week of August. Henriksson wore the ‘C’ as Sweden’s captain in each of the two games and registered two points (one goal, one assist) over the two contests. The Rangers’ second round pick (58th overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft has recorded two points (one goal, one assist) in three pre-season games with Frolunda this year, and he has played on the team’s top line in each of the three contests. Henriksson registered 41 points (six goals, 35 assists) and a plus-12 rating in 27 games with Frolunda’s J20 team last season.
- Yegor Rykov played his first three games of the 2020-21 KHL regular season with CKSA Moscow between Sept. 2 and Sept. 7. Rykov logged 17:46 of ice time (fourth-most on the team and third-most among team defensemen), including 4:20 of ice time which was considered time on attack (second-most on the team), in CSKA’s 3-1 win on Sept. 4 against Sochi, and he posted a plus-two rating in 16:56 of ice time (third-most on the team) in CSKA’s 3-1 win on Sept. 7 against Barys Nur-Sultan.
- Lauri Pajuniemi notched an assist on the game-winning goal, recorded three shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating while skating in a team-high 20:16 of ice time in TPS’ pre-season win on Sept. 3 against Lukko. The Rangers’ fifth round pick (132nd overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft registered 40 points (26 goals, 14 assists) in 49 games with TPS in Liiga last season.
- Leevi Aaltonen recorded two points (one goal, one assist), both in the third period, notched the primary assist on the game-winning goal, and posted a plus-two rating in KalPa’s pre-season win on Sept. 5 against JYP. The Rangers’ fifth round pick (130th overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft registered seven points (one goal, six assists) in 45 games with KalPa in Liiga last season. Among players who were in their U19 season or younger in Liiga in 2019-20, Aaltonen tied for third in games played, and tied for seventh in assists and points.
- Calle Sjalin notched an assist and posted a plus-one rating to help Leksands earn a win in the Skoda Trophy tournament against Vita Hasten on Sept. 4. The Rangers’ fifth round pick (145th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft split last season between Leksands in the SHL and Vasteras in Allsvenskan.
Full Report Here:
