Kreider Listed As 10th Best NHL Prospect By ESPN

Adam Rotter over at SNYRangersblog found an ESPN Insider article by Grant Sonier that list New York Rangers prospect Chris Kreider as the 10th best prospect in hockey.  Kreider has been highly regarded in other scouting rankings as he was 18th according to The Hockey News and listed 23rd by Hockey’s Future in their respective rankings this year.  He certainly has the natural talent to be a special player for the Rangers in the future, though ranking him 10th overall amongst NHL prospects seems a bit high given the production that he has come up with in the past year.

According to Rotter, Sonier focuses on skating as the best attribute Kreider has, calling him one of the best skaters in all of hockey.  Skating along with his physical size have been the most cited positives in talking about the potential that Kreider has for the NHL level.  

Sonier believes that despite the production criticisms that Kreider has received, the potential is what continues to hold him so high amongst the prospect rankings.

He says that Kreider is not only one of the best skaters in the NCAA’s, he is one of the best skaters in all of hockey.  This is the year for Kreider to breakout in the production department as well or more will start to whisper about whether the potential and tools that are so touted will turn into actual results on the ice. 

J.T. Miller Invited To Team USA Evaluation Camp For 2012 WJC Team

USA hockey announced the 40 players selected to be a part of their National Junior Evaluation camp this month.  The evaluation camp is held from August 6-13 and New York Rangers first round selection J.T. Miller will be amongst the 40 players in attendance.  The players will be competing for spots on the United States team for the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, which will be played from, Dec. 26, 2011-Jan. 5, 2012, in Calgary and Edmonton Alberta, Canada. 

This camp for Miller, like the Canadian one for Christian Thomas, are excellent steps in their development as it allows them more time on the ice with elite competition while getting world class instruction.  Having these two players playing against the best their respective countries has to offer for a week of drills and scrimmages in hopes of making the WJC team will only further their overall development and increase their preparation for both Traverse City and Rangers training camp next month.