Welcome to the primary of a three-part collection on New York Rangers prospect rankings. On this collection, I am going to rank my prime ten Rangers prospects whereas offering context on every participant’s growth up to now and what their NHL timeline seems like.
My view on the present group is that Rangers are properly located on the wings and have a high quality goalkeeper prospect, however the defensive group has misplaced numerous power on account of graduates and, as everybody is aware of, they lack middle prospects. I believe when you think about the place the Rangers are of their aggressive cycle, that is an excellent group of prospects and possibly places them round twentieth total league-wide.
As I’ve stated earlier than, whereas I comply with leads very intently, I am removed from an skilled. For those who disagree with something in my New York Rangers Prospect Rankings or have something so as to add, be at liberty so as to add your ideas!
Simply missed the minimize:
Jaroslav Chmelar, RW, Windfall Faculty (NCAA)
Jaroslav Chmelar was a surprisingly productive participant at World Juniors and had a powerful freshman season at Windfall. He is a fantastic ahead who competes and skates properly, and he could possibly be on a fourth line trajectory within the NHL if issues go properly.
Drew Fortescue, LHD, Boston Faculty (NCAA)
Drew Fortescue is a powerful participant in transition, which I think about a very powerful a part of the sport. He can have the possibility to play for some of the thrilling groups within the NCAA subsequent season. and we would think about a No.6 defender if all goes properly.
Kalle Vaisanen, RW, TPS (Liiga)
Kalle Vaisanen has an analogous outlook to Chmelar, though he’s anticipated to play an even bigger function at skilled stage in Finland.
Hugo Ollas, G, Merrimack (NCAA)
Hugo Ollas began the season very properly, fumbled a bit, then placed on a dominant show on the Hockey East event, shutting out BC and taking BU into time beyond regulation. Goalkeeper projections are tough to foretell.
10. Ryder Korczak, RHC, Hartford Wolfpack (AHL)
Ryder Korczak has had an fascinating season developmentally. He was one of many oldest gamers to be eligible for freshman yr in 2021, which meant he solely wanted yet another season within the WHL earlier than he may meet the phrases of the NHL-CHL settlement to play within the AHL (4 seasons of CHL play). Korczak began the season with the Wolf Pack, however struggled throughout his five-game stint and was despatched again to Moose Jaw.
Korczak completed the season ranked thirteenth within the WHL in factors per sport, which is considerably spectacular even contemplating his age, as a result of power of the league this season. Korczak was older than nearly everybody within the league, however he does not flip 21 till September, so I do not suppose taking part in within the league was an enormous anomaly.
Korczak does not have the projectable profile of McConnell-Barker, but when he does, he most likely has the most effective benefit on account of his capability to transition the puck, make performs within the offensive zone and execute energy performs. He is additionally a really sturdy participant within the face-off spot, which is certainly a constructive trait for Rangers followers.
Improvement Path/Timeline: Korczak will instantly wish to show that he can preserve tempo with the skilled stage and produce factors. He isn’t that near difficult for a roster spot proper now and can probably need to spend his whole ELC within the AHL. The hope for followers must be that he can turn out to be a really productive participant on the AHL stage and hone a talent that can venture into an NHL function, as a result of proper now I do not suppose he has one. The almost definitely end result is that he’s an AAAA participant.
9. Bryce McConnell-Barker, LHC, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
Bryce McConnell-Barker was extensively seen as a wonderful worth decide by Rangers in 2022. The well-rounded middle was a part of a Soo deep squad, and plenty of anticipated him to step ahead in 22/23 due to an expanded function and wonderful taking pictures.
BMB does not have the velocity to play greater in an NHL roster, however the remainder of his toolbox is properly balanced and signifies he could possibly be an excellent bottom-six ahead. He took a step ahead by way of manufacturing final season, scoring 30 targets and posting 77 factors in opposition to a really mediocre Soo workforce.
Improvement Path/Timeline: The hope this season will likely be that McConnell-Barker can push 90/95 factors in a starring function and safe a spot in Group Canada’s backside six as a closed middle. He is most likely three seasons away from significantly pushing for an NHL spot, perhaps even longer. However I count on that in direction of the top of his ELC, he’ll push to make an influence within the NHL. On the very least, I count on McConnell-Barker to be an excellent AHL participant for the Wolf Pack.
8. Matthew Robertson, LHD, Hartford Wolfpack
Matthew Robertson is a participant many followers already thought could be an everyday on the huge membership, however a congested left aspect has made it tough for him up to now. The Robertson guide is well-known at this level. He is a fantastic defender who can skate properly and tasks himself as a low-end defender to the subsequent stage.
Robertson took a step ahead final season, doubling his factors whole in fewer video games. I do not suppose there’s going to be a lot offense in Robertson’s sport on the NHL stage, so if he’ll make the leap quickly, he’ll have to indicate extra defensive development on the AHL stage. Zac Jones is actually a lock to make Rangers as he’s not exempt from a waiver, which can push Robertson into an even bigger function.
Improvement Path/Timeline: Robertson will begin the AHL season this yr, however he’ll be trying to set up himself as the primary defenseman to be known as up for damage; he’ll most likely be competing with Mac Hollowell for this function. Robertson’s ELC ends after this season, so Rangers hope he can progress considerably this season so he can play within the NHL subsequent season.
Keep tuned for Half 2 & 3 of the 2023 New York Rangers Prospect Rankings, coming quickly!
