Here are my summer rankings. I no longer list what round they were drafted. Once they're in the system they all have the same chance to make it. The Rangers have proved that over the past 5 years.

1) Brady Skjei 6-3, 205 - D - He’s big, fast and physical. Sometimes he doesn’t think the game quick enough and has a brain cramp. He’s 21 and he has all the tools. He played 23 AHL games last year and he’ll be in Rangers camp with a slight chance to make the team.

2) Pavel Buchnevich 6-2, 176 - LW - He was a point-per-game in the World Junior Championships and he had 13 goals in the KHL. His game is improving but he won’t come over until he has a chance to really challenge for a top 9 spot. He has top-end potential and is highly skilled. Next year is the year.

3) Adam Tambellini 6-3, 179 - C - He’s the highest ranking center in the system. To me he projects as a 2nd or 3rd line pivot. Last year he had 47 goals and 86 points in Calgary. That was a talented team and he was one of the straws that stirred the drink. He has great passing skills and a pro shot.

4) Ryan Gropp 6-2, 183 - LW - He has a fast shot. He knows where to go without the puck. He can bury clear cut chances. He was more than a point-per-game in the playoffs for Seattle.

5) Robin Kovacs - 6-0, 172 - W - He’s a versatile winger who can play either side. He’s shifty. He has great puckhandling skills. He knows how to fill the gap to get a scoring chance. He’s been scoring double-digit goals every year he’s moved up the ladder. Can he do this on a smaller sheet?

6) Richard Nejezchleb 6-3, 207 - RW - He has a sniper mentality and had a career high 32 goals last year for Brandon. He played with Ivan Provorov on the power play who could turn pro this year. That’s a plus. He’s fast but still has to play more defense.

7) Ryan Graves 6-5, 215 - D - Even though he’s putting up points in Quebec I believe he’ll need to be a shutdown defenseman to play regularly in the NHL. He has become a supreme shot blocker to go along with his excellent defensive skills. Has to work on his skating as well. Has some snarl.

8) Cristoval Nieves 6-3, 201 - LW - In one more year at Michigan the Rangers could have a real talent here. He has great speed, he’s so much more engaged than his rookie year. He gets back on defense. How much will he score at the NHL level? That’s the question and that is what could make him a 3rd liner.

9) Calle Andersson - 6-2, 207 - D - Solid all-around defenseman who just announced he’s leaving the Swiss league as his Swiss license has expired. He is a good decision maker and can move the puck up the ice well. Let’s see what he looks like in camp. Most likely he starts out in Hartford at the age of 21. He’s clearly overcome a wrist injury earlier in his career.

10) Ryan Mantha - 6-5, 225 -D - He has a hockey bloodline. His shot is improving, he has a good first pass and his skating is improving now. He’s in the OHL so he will need to continue to improve against great talent to have an NHL someday.


Dylan McIlrath is off the list because of the amount of games he’s played as a professional. Same with Emerson Etem.

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