Yesterday we went by Half 1 of my 2023 New York Ranges Prospect Rankings, and right now we enter Half 2. Half 1 had a couple of surprises, with Ryder Korczak making the highest 10 and Matthew Robertson barely in dialog. At this time, we’re wanting on the subsequent 4 prospects on the checklist, and maybe quantity 4 could shock you, as a result of primarily based on the feedback, some have been anticipating him to be within the high three.
As I’ve mentioned earlier than, whereas I observe leads very carefully, I am removed from an professional. In the event you disagree with my rating of Rangers prospects or have something so as to add, be at liberty so as to add your ideas!
7. Dylan Garand, G, Hartford Wolfpack (AHL)
Dylan Garand is a goaltender with a terrific pedigree and a monitor file that signifies he’ll be an NHL starter in due time. I am no professional on goalkeepers – though I believe Rangers followers are extra educated about separating the nice from the dangerous with goalkeepers than most followers due to their historical past – so I will not faux I can impart the nuances of Garand’s recreation.
Garand’s statistical profile is really spectacular, as he by no means dipped under .920 sv% in his final three years within the WHL, backed Canada to a gold medal forward of 2021 lottery choose Sebastian Cossa and gained CHL Goaltender of the 12 months in 21/22.
Though his .894 sv% didn’t bode nicely for a robust first professional season, Garand developed into his function as a mean staff all year long and finally supported the Pack on their playoff run, posting a powerful .935 sv% and two shutouts within the eight video games he began.
The knock on Garand is that he is just a little undersized at round 6’1″, however he is been profitable thus far attributable to his athleticism and skill to learn performs correctly.
Improvement Path/Timeline: Garand will play two extra seasons with the Wolf Pack, hopefully taking over the beginning function this coming season earlier than changing into some of the dominant goaltenders within the AHL in his 22-year season (he turned 21 in June). Rangers followers will wish to maintain a watch out for Garand; In two years, Rangers should resolve whether or not to increase Shesterkin on a large contract or transfer on.
This resolution could seem apparent in the mean time, however Garand has beginning potential and if he continues his rise, he’ll make a troublesome resolution. The more than likely end result is that he’s a top quality goalkeeper.
6. Brett Berard, LW, Hartford Wolfpack (AHL)
Brett Berard capped off a profitable three-year school profession at Windfall by becoming a member of the Wolf Pack for his or her playoff run. Berard was a draft choose that had Rangers followers excited and impressed for Crew USA on the 2021 World Junior Championships, the place Crew USA shut out Crew Canada to win gold. Berard constantly stood out on this event, displaying that he may lead play in Crew USA’s loaded ahead group.
Berard did not higher his spectacular second season in factors per recreation, however his MO as a prospect was by no means going to be so high-scoring ahead. Berard has constantly proven he can overcome his small body together with his skating and motor expertise, which he {couples} with sufficient ability and intelligence to provide precious factors.
He is a terrific participant within the transitional phases of the sport, and he is some of the tenacious forecheckers I’ve seen. He is a participant who will make Rangers quicker and more durable to play towards. I had him listed as a 2020 second-round choose, placing him at 55 in a category I knew very nicely, and I believe he would have introduced worth there. For me he has developed as anticipated and I’m assured he could make the transition to skilled play.
Improvement Path/Timeline: I believe Berard shall be a enjoyable participant to look at within the preseason, however for me, he is a participant who will want no less than one AHL hockey season, and doubtless two. If all goes nicely for Berard, he might be a stable ahead in the course of the six, however he is more likely to be an NHL-level ninth ahead who supplies glorious vitality and defensive play. I see him as a fan favourite, and together with his work ethic, I believe he is nearly a lock to play within the NHL.
5. Will Cuylle, LW, Hartford Wolfpack (AHL)
Will Cuylle wasn’t a preferred second-round choose in 2020 (attributable to similarities within the ill-fated Carl Hagelin/Ryan Gropp draft), however three years later it seems like Rangers have been proper to take an opportunity on the ahead, who underperformed in his draft season. After a robust last season within the OHL, which included a 40-goal season and a last-six function with Crew Canada, Cuylle joined the AHL Rangers franchise for his first full skilled season (he performed 18 video games for the Pack within the OHL’s canceled 20/21 season).
Just like the Wolf Pack, Cuylle began comparatively slowly at skilled stage, though he adopted the low-scoring Pack in scoring by the primary half of the season. However because the Wolfpack’s requirements rose, so did Cuylle’s. He had a terrific second half of the season, which included a number of multi-point video games to assist propel the Wolfpack to a playoff berth.
Though 45 factors in 69 video games is just not a terrific prospect, however given the context, it was a powerful season for the 21-year-old as he led the staff in targets and completed second in factors. He even gained a four-game spell with the massive membership final season.
Improvement Path/Timeline: Though Cuylle gained all 4 video games final season, Drury’s strikes within the offseason imply Cuylle is extremely unlikely to make the opening evening roster. Cuylle will probably spend one other season as one of many Wolfpack’s finest gamers; for me, an enchancment would imply Cuylle pushing in the direction of a point-per-game tempo.
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how he suits right into a staff that may have youthful forwards, like Othmann, Berard and Sykora. I believe Cuylle is the striker more than likely to be known as up if there may be an damage this season, however he’s prone to be on Rangers full-time roster in 2024. I see him as a last-six striker with 20 targets upside attributable to his body and taking pictures.
4. Zac Jones, LHD, New York Rangers
Zac Jones might be the perfect recognized of the Rangers prospects on this checklist. The 2019 third-round choose performed 38 video games on the NHL stage over three seasons, gathering 8 factors within the course of. Jones by no means actually received round to incomes Gallant’s belief final season, although he was probably the greatest puck-moving defensemen on the staff.
He did, nevertheless, have a terrific season at Hartford, posting 31 factors in 54 common season video games, and led the defensive group in scoring in the course of the playoffs. The knock on Jones is that he is an undersized participant, however I believe the skating expertise, puck expertise and hockey savvy make Jones a possible No. 4 defenseman who can execute an influence play.
Improvement Path/Timeline: We’re reaching breakthrough territory on the subject of Jones as a Ranger. He’ll flip 23 in October and his waiver-exempt standing has expired, that means he can now not return to the AHL with out going by waivers. That makes all of it however sure that Jones shall be on the roster initially of the season, as Drury will not wish to lose him for nothing.
The hope is that Jones may have the chance to rotate by the roster all through the season, and when he does, it is fairly clear he ought to have a shot at operating PP2.
