Over
the past few seasons the New York Rangers have shown on the ice that their
system has gotten better both in drafting and developing prospects with the
likes of Anisimov, Stepan, McDonagh, and Sauer joining the NHL regulars. Respect for what in the system continues to
grow as well. Hockey’s Future put out
their annual Organizational
Rankings, and the New York Rangers were ranked at 7, which is an
improvement from last year’s number 9 position.
What makes the improvement in the rankings even more impressive is that
Stepan and Sauer are no longer in the rankings, though McDonagh and Zuccarello
are still eligible to be ranked given games played.
In
the rankings HF had the following to say about the Rangers system…
Strengths: The Rangers have excellent forward prospects, led by
2009 first round draft selection Chris Kreider. In addition to three
diminutive snipers, including Chris Thomas, Ryan
Bourque and Mats Zuccarello, the Rangers also have Carl Hagelin and Roman
Horak, each of whom is expected to be a third-line contributor. New York's
recent drafting and one trade with Montreal in 2009 have also brought some
excellent defensive prospects into the organization, with Ryan McDonagh already
contributing at the NHL level, and Pavel Valentenko and Tomas
Kundratek no more than a year away.
Weaknesses: The Rangers are weak in goaltending prospects, with
only two free agents and a junior netminder in the organization. None of those
netminders projects to be a number one goaltender in the NHL, and there are
questions whether any of them will even be able to serve as an NHL backup in
the coming years.
With
the Rangers offensive inconsistency it is encouraging to see their forwards
listed as the strength of the prospect core.
Chris Kreider, who was ranked first, and Christian Thomas, ranked third,
are the only two of the group that are likely to be consistent top six forwards
in the NHL, but there are plenty of other forwards that can be solid NHL
contributors for the Blueshirts.
The
goaltending prospect issue is somewhat of a concern for down the road, but
Talbot and Stajcer have potential and the problem is not likely to be an issue
until after next year when Biron is a free agent and the Rangers possibly need
another backup goaltender.
