The New York Rangers continue to sign their young prospects to entry-level
contracts by adding another to the fold.
According to Nick Kypreos via
twitter the latest prospect to sign with
the Rangers is 2010 second round pick Christian Thomas. I predicted that Thomas would get signed two
months ago when I posed whether he
could be in the NHL as early as next season. Thomas was utterly dominant in the OHL this
season for the Oshawa Generals where he recorded 54 goals, 45 assists in just
66 regular season games. If possible he
raised his level even more in the playoffs with nine goals and 10 assists in
just 10 games.
With the Rangers lack of snipers on the roster do not be at all surprised if
Thomas is given every chance to make the club this fall. The combination of having nothing to prove in
Juniors and the Rangers need for offensive weapons gives him a good shot at the
team. If he is not ready, then he will
go back to Juniors because he is not eligible to be in the AHL next season. Given that he is ineligible for the AHL next
year, the decision to sign him was a no-brainer for the Rangers as he would not
count against the contract count or lose any years on his entry-level deal if
he goes back to the OHL.
