These Are The Top Ten Rangers Prospects

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Lias Andersson

Unlike previous years which saw the Blueshirts playing playoff hockey, the Rangers were able to take a good chunk of this season to strengthen their prospect pipeline as they began their process of rebuilding. With so many new prospects in the pipeline, here is the Forever Blueshirts top ten prospect rankings. This will of course change after the 2018 entry draft.

Filip Chytil – 18 years old, 6’2” – 190 pounds, Center

2017-18 Stats: Hartford Wolf Pack – 11 G, 20 A – 31 points (46 games)

                       New York Rangers – 1 G, 2 A – 3 points (9 games)

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The 21st overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft has done more than enough to prove that he is the Rangers’ number one prospect. Excellent skating, nice release on his shot and he is already showing he isn’t afraid to take chances in the offensive zone or try to beat defensemen 1v1. Chytil has all the tools to be a dominant center for the Rangers down the line. How soon will it all come together? That remains to be seen, however, he has already shown flashes of excellence.

Lias Andersson – 19 years old, 5’11” – 198 pounds, Center/Wing

2017-18 Stats: Frolunda (SHL) – 7 G, 7 A – 14 points (22 games)

                       Hartford Wolf Pack – 5 G, 9 A – 14 points (25 games)

                       New York Rangers – 1 G, 1 A – 2 points (7 games)

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The 7th overall pick in the 2017 NHL entry draft definitely opened some eyes this year. I dare you to find me someone that’s as tenacious on the puck as Andersson. The compete level in Andersson is second to none and he has shown that he can make plays in the offensive zone as well. Andersson is going to be a key part of this Rangers team for years to come and it will be exciting to see what level he can take his game to.

Igor Shestyorkin – 22 years old, 6’1” – 183 pounds, Goalie

2017-18 Stats: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) – 1.70 GAA, .933 SV% – (28 games played)

“The Czar,” as some fans have already begun calling him, had another incredible year backstopping SKA St. Petersburg. He has already won a Gagarin Cup, set numerous KHL goaltending records, made some incredible highlight reel saves, like the one below, and he’s only 22 years of age. He seems, at this point in time, to be the heir apparent to Henrik Lundqvist with the only question being when he will make the jump to the NHL. His KHL contract ends at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season.

Libor Hajek – 20 years old, 6’2” – 203 pounds, Defenseman

2017-18 Stats: Saskatoon Blades (WHL) – 8 G, 17 A – 25 points (33 games)

                       Regina Pats (WHL) – 4 G, 10 A – 14 points (25 games)

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One of the two prospects acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the deadline day deal for Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller, Hajek has the potential to be a great top-four defenseman for the Rangers once he develops. He has already started showing signs that he can be that McDonagh type player. The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell said Hajek was the best defenseman at the 2018 World Junior Championships not named Rasmus Dahlin. That’s high praise for the Czech native.

Brett Howden – 20 years old, 6’2” – 194 pounds, Center

2017-18 Stats: Moosejaw Warriors (WHL) – 24 G, 51 A – 75 points (49 games)

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The second prospect acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the deadline deal for McDonagh and Miller, Howden is a 200-foot center with really good offensive instincts and great leadership qualities. The ceiling for Howden appears to be a second line center but if he turns into something more, don’t be surprised. This is a kid that can score in a lot of different ways and has a nice set of hands. Holding the Moose Jaw captaincy for two years shows he knows how to lead.

Yegor Rykov – 21 years old, 6’2” – 216 pounds, Defenseman

2017-18 Stats: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) – 2 G, 12 A -14 points (53 games)

                       SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL) – 0 G, 6 A – 6 points (7 games)

SKA

Acquired from the New Jersey Devils in the Michael Grabner trade, this is a defenseman who looks like he may be able to slot right into the lineup when he comes over from SKA at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. KHL teams typically don’t give young players lots of ice time but this kid earned it and he’s looked good playing against some great talent in the KHL. Most importantly, he’s shutting down men, not kids. He’s got great size, smart hockey instincts and could thrive in the right system. Rykov could be another guy that could anchor the Rangers blueline for years to come.

Ty Ronning – 20 years old, 5’9” – 165 pounds, Right Wing

2017-18 Stats: Vancouver Giants (WHL) – 61 G, 23 A – 84 points (70 games)

Vancouver Giants

Yup, you read that right. 61 goals. Even for an over-ager in the WHL that still takes a good amount of talent to pull off. This kid loves to score goals and can do it from just about anywhere on the ice. The one knock on him is his size but as we’ve seen in today’s NHL, small guys can do some damage. What’s his ceiling? Probably a really solid middle six forward with a scoring punch. Anything more than that is tough to see but stranger things have happened.

Timothy Gettinger – 20 years old, 6’6” – 216 pounds, Center/Wing

2017-18 Stats: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) – 33 G, 36 A – 69 points (66 games)

Sault Star

A former fifth-round pick of the New York Rangers, 141st overall in 2016, Gettinger had a great season with the Greyhounds in the OHL. SSM was the best team in the OHL this season and Gettinger got to play with other elite talents including Flyers pick Morgan Frost. Gettinger is a big dude and has increased his point totals every season in juniors. It will be very interesting to see just how he continues to develop and what his ceiling might be. If he puts it all together, watch out, the Rangers could have a steal on their hands.

 

Ryan Lindgren – 20 years old, 6’0” – 198 pounds, Defenseman

2017-18 Stats: University of Minnesota (NCAA) – 2 G, 7 A – 9 points (35 games)

                       Hartford Wolf Pack – 2 G, 2 A – 4 points (10 games)

USA Hockey

Acquired from the Boston Bruins in the Rick Nash trade at the deadline. Lindgren loves to use the body and finish all of his checks. Tenacious in the defensive zone, a quality skater and a leader who has worn a letter on his jersey at the University of Minnesota and with the US National Junior team. Lindgren has also looked good in his short stint with the Wolf Pack; and if this kid can continue developing, he could be a great third pair guy on the Rangers who won’t be afraid to rough up the competition.  

Morgan Barron – 19 years old, 6’3” – 209 pounds, Center/Wing

2017-18 Stats: Cornell University (NCAA) – 5 G, 13 A – 18 points (33 games)

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This is the one relative unknown on this list, but he deserves to be included here. After a great showing at St. Andrews College, Barron took his talents to Cornell University and turned in a very solid first campaign there. Barron already has great size and if he can continue getting better, it will just be another guy that the Rangers have successfully stolen in the bottom rounds of the draft.

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