Russ Cohen: Rangers Summer Prospect Rankings

Brandon Halverson?

Igor Shesterkin?

Brandon Halverson?

Igor Shesterkin?
- jimbro83

Plus he should knock Gropp down a few spots because he's just a product of Matt Barzal.

nice write up. Im really interested to see if Brady can earn a spot this year, at the least i would think he may be the first call up. Also, I loved what i say of Buchnevich at the WJC... he looks like a premier forward. looks like the rangers are gathering a bunch of speedsters.

Brandon Halverson?

Igor Shesterkin?
- jimbro83

too early to tell?? both looked good at WJC, but its really hard to project goalies so i will leave that to the pros

too early to tell?? both looked good at WJC, but its really hard to project goalies so i will leave that to the pros
- richardson30

ok, but what about Oscar Lindberg then?

Plus he should knock Gropp down a few spots because he's just a product of Matt Barzal.



- eichiefs9

4 first round picks the last two years for Islanders, all look very promising, hell of a job by the Garth

too early to tell?? both looked good at WJC, but its really hard to project goalies so i will leave that to the pros
- richardson30

I think Halversson deserves to be on the list. No doubt the team he played on SSM was very good. But they finished first in the OHL West division in 13/14 with 44 wins. This past season they had they had 54 wins.

This past season for him individually, 50gp: 40w: .913sp: 2.63gaa: 6so.

He has to be on this list.

too early to tell?? both looked good at WJC, but its really hard to project goalies so i will leave that to the pros
- richardson30

Too early to tell for Gropp and Kovacs more so than Halverson and Shesterkin. Halverson should be in this mix, without question.

4 first round picks the last two years for Islanders, all look very promising, hell of a job by the Garth
- jimbro83

The little French Canadian center they drafted, with their second first round pick this season, looks like a projected bottom six player. Barzal and Ho Sang have first line potential, as far as their talent level is concerned, but apparently each have a bit of an attitude issue. To be fair though, I think those criticisms are a bit overblown. Snow has done a really solid job these last two or three seasons.

The little French Canadian center they drafted, with their second first round pick this season, looks like a projected bottom six player. Barzal and Ho Sang have first line potential, as far as their talent level is concerned, but apparently each have a bit of an attitude issue. To be fair though, I think those criticisms are a bit overblown. Snow has done a really solid job these last two or three seasons.
- MidnightMarauder

he really has. I thought the Islanders would add something else this summer from outside organization, but they will continue to be very solid. Quite unlike the team across the river.

he really has. I thought the Islanders would add something else this summer from outside organization, but they will continue to be very solid. Quite unlike the team across the river.
- jimbro83

Rangers, Pittsburgh, Islanders, Columbus and Washington are all making the postseason if all aren't decimated by injuries.

Philadelphia will be average while Carolina and NJ will get mopped up hardcore.

Both goalies are next on the list. I grade goalies harder since it's much harder to make it. I like Shesterkin a bit better right now.

Rangers, Pittsburgh, Islanders, Columbus and Washington are all making the postseason if all aren't decimated by injuries.

Philadelphia will be average while Carolina and NJ will get mopped up hardcore.
- MidnightMarauder

Division is going to be much stronger this season. Pittsburgh just got tougher and added more depth to their bottom six which is where they needed help(besides the obvious answer, defense of course). If Maata and Letang come back healthy and ready to go they're going to be a real tough team to play against.

Oscar Lindberg has played 150 professional games plus playoffs. He's off the list. I do think he makes the team this year.

Oscar Lindberg has played 150 professional games plus playoffs. He's off the list. I do think he makes the team this year.
- Russ_Cohen

Richard Nejezchleb did score 32 goals for Brandon in 2013-14, but dropped down to 19 goals this past season playing for Tri City

clearly he took a step back, not sure how you could have him 6th

Division is going to be much stronger this season. Pittsburgh just got tougher and added more depth to their bottom six which is where they needed help(besides the obvious answer, defense of course). If Maata and Letang come back healthy and ready to go they're going to be a real tough team to play against.
- Cptmjl

Bonino is soft and slow. He is cheaper than Sutter, and his advanced stats are better in comparison, but he is slightly better than average and that's about it. The wild card here is Fehr. If he can stay healthy, after this elbow issue is cleared up, he is a really strong third line player.

Penguins, up front, are as strong as they were in 2013. But their defense is still a serious issue until further notice. Definite lock to make the postseason but I still think the Rangers and Islanders are better on the whole.

Plus he should knock Gropp down a few spots because he's just a product of Matt Barzal.

No

Richard Nejezchleb did score 32 goals for Brandon in 2013-14, but dropped down to 19 goals this past season playing for Tri City

clearly he took a step back, not sure how you could have him 6th
- jimbro83

Tambellini has really progressed; further reiterating how good that 2013 third round was for the Rangers. Speaking of third round picks; watch for this kid Kovacs. He really has potential to be a solid second line player.

Richard Nejezchleb did score 32 goals for Brandon in 2013-14, but dropped down to 19 goals this past season playing for Tri City

clearly he took a step back, not sure how you could have him 6th
- jimbro83

Maybe everyone else below him just sucks

Maybe everyone else below him just sucks
- rangerdanger94

well if that's true then Halverson has gotta make the list

well if that's true then Halverson has gotta make the list
- jimbro83

I see Russ' point; goalies are a tricky category to grade. I think both are legitimate prospects though. Shesterkin and Halverson looked strong last season.

I see Russ' point; goalies are a tricky category to grade. I think both are legitimate prospects though. Shesterkin and Halverson looked strong last season.
- MidnightMarauder

Halverson was a 2nd round pick, so he was already ranked very high, and then he went 40-5-2.

I actually think most people would rank him in top 5 Rangers prospects

Lindberg and McIlrath are absolutely on my list, normal development track for their roles. I expect both make the team this year. Mix of top end projection vs. how close they are to contribute:

1. Brady Skjei
2. Pavel Buchnevich
3. Oscar Lindberg
4. Dylan McIlrath
5. Ryan Gropp
6. Ryan Graves
7. Adam Tambellini
8. Robin Kovacs
9. Mackenzie Skapski
10. Igor Shesterkin

Boo doesn't make the list for me, will be senior and still hasn't put up enough offense to be considered. Nejezchleb hasn't even been signed by the Rangers so my reservation for him, I hope they do though cause we can use some skill in Hartford.

Halverson was a 2nd round pick, so he was already ranked very high, and then he went 40-5-2.

I actually think most people would rank him in top 5 Rangers prospects
- jimbro83

Agreed.

Speaking of lists, Yahoo Sports released their Top 25 rankings in each position.

Pretty interesting that Hagelin ranked higher than Chris Kreider in the left wing category.