The New York Rangers have a number of interesting prospects
that could develop over the next few seasons and look to crack the NHL
roster. The depth in the system and the
level of competition it creates will bring the best out in each of them because
of the need to perform at a high level to get their shot. The fact that each will have to be so focused
to what it takes to improve each day helps to foster breakout seasons from
prospects. One such prospect that should
be due for a breakout season is 2010 fourth round selection Andrew Yogan.
When the Rangers selected Yogan in the fourth round
of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft the thought was they were lucky to get a talent
like his at that point of the draft. Yogan
was coming off a very solid 20 goal, 35 assists season in 63 games with
Erie. He was unable to showcase his
talent and show he was a steal at that point in the draft last year as he missed
much of the season because of shoulder surgery.
The injury limited him to just 10 games where he had three goals and one
assist. Yogan signed an ATO with the
Connecticut Whale after the end of the Erie season and in two games for the
Whale he had two goals and an assist.
This summer Yogan was dealt from Erie to Peterborough and
that move should have a large impact on the chances of him having a breakout
season. Offensive skill has never been
the question for Yogan, but his willingness to play a complete game certainly
has and that didn’t sit well with Otters coach Robbie Ftorek’s defensive
mentality. Now with the move to
Peterborough Yogan should have more freedom to use his offensive talents and
produce points. That will certainly
attract the attention of the organization, but Yogan also has to understand
that the Rangers have shown over the past few years they will not tolerate
one-way play under coach John Tortorella.
Yogan can use his natural talent to make special offensive
plays, but he will have to play a simple game and both sides of the ice if he
eventually wants to play in New York.
