Monday, August 22, 2011

Can Andrew Yogan Be The Breakout Rangers Prospect This Year?


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.