Rangers Roundup: Brian Leetch impressed with Adam Fox, Hunter Skinner signs ELC, and more

Adam Fox Olympics
Mar 11, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) shoots the puck during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers may have lost their last two games, and that’s very disappointing. One thing that can’t be overlooked in those two games is the continued brilliant play of defenseman Adam Fox. He’s starting to raise more eyebrows around the league as a potential Norris Trophy candidate, and has the attention of the last Ranger to win it – Brian Leetch.

Brian Leetch impressed with Adam Fox

“Usually you read the play a second ahead of the player because you can see everything from up above,” Brian Leetch told Rick Carpiniello of The Athletic. “I would say, with Foxy, he’s making the play as I’m seeing it from up above. It’s not like I see the play a split-second before he makes it. He’s making the same play that I can see from 10 floors up. And he’s doing it while guys are all over him and the play’s going fast, and reading the play in those seconds and making the passes.”

Leetch Fox
Leetch and Fox comparisons (Getty Images / FTHN)

Adam Fox this season has been nothing short of amazing. His 29 points have him third in scoring for blue-liners and is 4 points behind Victor Hedman for first place with a game in hand. Just announced today, Fox was voted as one of the NHL’s Three Stars of the Week.

It’s been an impressive run for the 23 year-old defenseman, who has 17 assist so far in the month of March. In the Rangers game against the Flyers on March 25, his five assists tied him for the franchise record for assists and points by a defenseman. An impressive year that still has a ways to go.

Rangers sign Hunter Skinner to ELC

The Blueshirts have signed 2019 4th Round draft pick Hunter Skinner to his ELC starting next season. From the team’s press release:

NEW YORK, March 29, 2021 – The New York Rangers announced today that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Hunter Skinner on an entry-level contract. Skinner will join the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) on an AHL contract for the remainder of the 2020-21 season, and his entry-level contract begins at the start of the 2021-22 season. 

Skinner, 19 (turns 20 years old on Apr. 29), skated in 26 games with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL this season, registering seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points, along with 19 penalty minutes. He ranks third among ECHL defensemen in goals and ranks 10th among ECHL defensemen in shots on goal (74) in 2020-21.

For more on Hunter Skinner check out our interview with him here.

How likely is Jack Eichel to the Rangers to happen? Find out here.

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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