Wrapping Up Day Two At Development Camp: McIlrath Offense, Fasth Skill, Prospect Depth Star

The 2011 Rangers development camp continued today, but there was more than just skating going on at the facility.  The prospect practiced this morning and then had a scrimmage in which they played two 20 minute halves.  While the scrimmage itself turned out to be an 8-3 blowout win for Team White, the most evident thing was just how deep the Rangers prospect core is right now.  Huge games from McIlrath, Fasth, Thomas left the writers with plenty to talk about:

In Andrew Gross recap of the scrimmage at Ranger Rants the praise for the early work of Dylan McIlrath continued:

Dylan McIlrath, the 10th overall pick in 2010, was the strongest player on the ice as he led White to an 8-3 win over Blue this morning at the MSG Training Center. McIlrath, known more for his defense and physical play, had a goal and two assists as he displayed a nice shot from the right point.

The work in this morning’s scrimmage follows up the praise for McIlrath’s skating improvement talk yesterday.  More than the points he put up today, the excitement should be over the improvement of McIlrath’s shot over the last 12 months.  He is not going to become a huge offensive player, but with stead improvement and continuing to add strength that shot is only going to become more of a threat from the point.

Jesse Spector singled out Jesper Fasth as the player of scrimmage this morning. 

Jesper Fasth was the star of this morning’s scrimmage at the Rangers’ prospect development camp, scoring two goals with an assist to lead the White team to an 8-3 victory over the Blue.

Fasth was all over the puck, and knew what to do with it, showing off his skill particularly on a stickhandle through the slot to beat Scott Stajcer. He also scored off a very strong crossing feed from Tim Erixon.

Fasth continues to improve and looks like a steal for a sixth-round pick that was very good at the WJC last season and held his own in the Swedish Elite League a year ago.  Another year or two in the SEL and Fasth could become one of the Rangers best prospects and a threat to be a scorer at the NHL level.

Spector also praised the work of McIlrath, and said that Shane McCoglan was the most impressive of the rookies and that the experience of Hagelin is very evident in how he plays.


Beyond McIlrath and Fasth tearing up the board during the game Christian Thomas did what he does best in scoring with a penalty shot goal and an assist.  Andrew Yogan had a goal, Tim Erixon an assist and Pashnin hit everything that moved.  The hitting for Pashnin was not always a good thing as Gross pointed out in his recap because he was so focused on delivering the hit that he lost sight of the more important aspects of the game.

There were just 4-on-4 scrimmages, but the number of prospects who showed well for themselves exhibits the tremendous among the Rangers prospects giving even more hope for the future.



Andrew Gross has a story on what Ryan Borque learned watching the Bruins win the Cup.

Video: Jesper Fasth Goal Vs Russia at WJC

During the second game of the tournament Rangers 2010 6th round pick Jesper Fasth scored his first goal and second point of the tournament. Obviously do not watch the video for the commentary, but it was impressive to see not only Fasth's quickness in transition after the Russian turnover, but the way in which he set himself up for the one-timer before the pass was even made. The move to be prepared to shoot like that shows some goal scoring instincts.

A Look At Rangers Forgotten WJC Prospects Roman Horak and Jesper Fasth

Jesper Fasth (Bruce Bennett/Getty)

Roman Horak

There has been a lot of attention in Rangers fan circles on Chris Kreider and Ryan Bourque heading into the WJC, which is understandable considering they are the more recognizable names and will play for Team USA, but there are two other prospects to watch in Czech Roman Horak and Swede Jesper Fasth.

Horak, 2009 5^th round pick, is currently playing for the Chilliwack Bruins of the WHL.  Horak after having a very effective rookie season last year has taken the next step this season becoming a first line player and producing consistently with a line of 15-23-38 in just 30 games.  He has been so good that he made the TSN players to watch list from Scott Cullen (Bourque and Kreider also listed) who said:

A fifth-round selection of the Rangers in 2009, Horak has become an impact player in his second WHL season and should be counted on to provide offence.

With that improved play the views on Horak as potential fourth line center and phenomenal penalty kill have been changed for many and he is now seen as a legitimate third line threat in the NHL and possibly a top six forward down the line if the level of improvement continues.  

Fasth, 2010 6^th round pick, is currently playing in the Swedish Elite League.  Before the draft the scouting report fromeliteprospects.com;

Fasth is a very good skater with nice acceleration and top speed. He works very hard, forechecks with impressive intensity and also create a lot of offense thanks to his agility and speed. Has decent hockey sense, technical skills and scoring ability, but it perhaps still more likely to develop into a role player.

After starting this season for the HV-71 junior team he would be promoted to the men’s team following a 3G 7A performance in the opening 6 games.  With the senior club he has put up 4G 6A in 26 games thus far.  Fasth with each thing I hear sounds more and more like Carl Hagelin 2.0 which if that turns out will be a great thing for Rangers fans and the organization.  He is yet another potential European steal that has speed and high hockey IQ which is something the Rangers have done an excellent job of finding the last few years.  He is unlikely to be here anytime soon, but leaving him alone over in Europe for a few seasons and it will be like adding a top pick down the line.  Of the four Rangers prospects I am looking forward to seeing him the most because of my lack of seeing him in live game action. 

Both Fasth and Horak will open their respective tournaments against Norway with Fasth playing them today at 4 and Horak getting his shot tomorrow at 7.  While the attention is on both Kreider and Bourque with Team USA (starting tonight at 8 on NHL Network-US) a favorite in the tournament Rangers fans should keep their eye on Horak and Fasth as they are just two more reasons the Rangers fans should be hopeful for the future.