So far I have covered left-wingers, right-wingers and centers during my New York Rangers prospect preview, and today I will finish my preview of their prospect skaters with a list of their top-6 prospects on the blueline.
Note: Ryan McDonagh, 22, and Michael Del Zotto, 21, will not be included, but they are two of the organizations top young talent on defense.
1.Tim Erixon: Acquiring Tim Erixon, 20, was equivalent to having a second first-round pick in this year's draft for the Rangers'. In order to acquire Erixon's rights from the Calgary Flames, the Rangers packaged two 2011 second-round picks and forward prospect Roman Horak. The Rangers received a 2011 fifth-round pick along with Erixon in the deal, which they eventually used to select another winger in Shane McColgan. The Rangers then signed Erixon to an entry-level deal short after, bringing another young and talented blueliner into the organization. Erixon--originally a 2009 first-round pick (23rd overall)--has spent the past four year's playing in Sweden as part of team Skelleftea's organization. His 2010-11 season was his most productive season in Sweden, as Erixon recorded five goals and 19 assists in 48 games, along with 40 penalty minutes. Erixon registered for eight points and 12 penalty minutes in 18 playoff contests as well. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound, blueliner is known for his swift skating ability, and, like most defensemen who come from the Swedish Elite League, he is very smart with the puck and a great passer. He isn't projected to be a puck-moving defenseman, though he has the qualities to become one. Most experts believe Erixon will become a very good two-way defenseman, who can produce 25-30 points a season, while having the ability to shut-down opposing team's top players. Most of the Rangers fanbase and reporters expect Erixon to make the Rangers' out of training camp this season, and play on the team's final defensive pairing with the aforementioned Del Zotto. But if Erixon does not make the cut, and begins his North American career in the AHL, he will learn the Rangers system with the Connecticut Whale and possibly contribute to the team as a mid-season call-up before becoming a regular.
2.Dylan McIlrath: The Rangers' decision to select Dylan McIlrath, 19, with the 10th overall pick in 2010 over defensemen Cam Fowler and Brandon Gormley confused many draft experts, and it also angered most of the Rangers fanbase. But, after reviewing McIlrath's resume and highlight-reel (which includes mostly fights), he instantly became one of Ranger fans favorite prospects. McIlrath skates at 6-foot-5, 215-pounds, and he always uses his body strength to his advantage. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native is nicknamed "The Truck" for his ability to crush opposing players, and he also carries the nickname, "The Undertaker" for his willingness to fight and his fighting skills. Last season, McIlrath played in 62 games with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warrior's, scoring five goals and 18 assists, while amassing 153-penalty minutes. In the playoffs, McIlrath failed to produce a point, but he took 15-penalty minutes in only six games. Following a first-round playoff exit with Moose Jaw, McIlrath was signed to an entry-level deal by the Rangers, followed by an Amateur Try-out contract with the Whale'. In two games with Connecticut, McIlrath took seven penalty-minutes and finished with a minus-1 rating. The big-bodied blueliner projects to be a talented shut-down defenseman, and the Rangers' organization hopes he will become the second Jeff Beukeboom. While McIlrath will battle for a spot on this year's defensive unit during training camp, it is more likely that he spends at least one more season in the WHL to develop.
3.Pavel Valentenko: Here is another talented young defenseman that the Rangers acquired through trade, as Pavel Valentenko, 23, was part of a return package in the famous "Scott Gomez" trade. Valentenko, dubbed "V-Tank", spent the 2010-11 season playing for the Whale', recording five goals and 12 assists in 79 games. Valentenko took 38-penalty minutes and he finished with a remarkable plus-21 rating. He is known for having a very hard slap-shot which has been nicknamed, "The Cannon", and last season he was Connecticut's version of Dan Girardi, as he loves to block shots. Valentenko projects to be a two-way defenseman, who can definitely be a fit on any team's power-play. "V-Tank" will compete for a spot on the Rangers' roster this year, and if he has a similar training camp performance to that of last season then there is a very good chance that he makes the team.
4.Stu Bickel: This is probably the strangest selection on my list, but Stu Bickel, 24, is one of the organization's top young blueliner's, and he will be another competitor during training camp. Bickel skates at 6-foot-4, 218-pounds, and his physical play is certainly his trademark. Bickel was acquired in December by the Rangers, and he made a name for himself as one of Connecticut's top defensemen. In 54 games with the Whale', Bickel scored two goals and seven assists, along with 135-penalty minutes. He finished the season with a minus-2 rating. During the playoffs, Bickel posted one assist and six penalty-minutes in six games. Bickel is definitely an underdog, but he will compete for a spot on the Rangers' defensive unit during training camp.
5.Mikhail Pashnin: Although Mikhail Pashnin, 22, blew off the Rangers for a two-year contract in the KHL with team CSKA Moscow, he still remains one of the organization top defensive prospects. Read more about Pashnin and his decision to stick with the KHL here.
6.Tomas Kundratek: Finishing the list as the Rangers sixth best defensive prospect is Tomas Kundratek, 21. Kundratek was the Rangers third-round pick in 2008, and played two seasons with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers prior to joining the Whale last season. During his time with the Tigers', Kundratek proved to be a strong puck-moving defenseman with great ice-vision and passing skills. In 70 games with Connecticut last season, Kundratek scored two goals and 10 assists, along with 42-penalty minutes and an even rating. In the playoffs he registered for two assists in six games, along with two penalty-minutes. Kundratek could compete for a spot on the Rangers' this season, but it is more likely that he spends the year in the AHL as a possible mid-season call-up.
Twitter: @NickPerriNYR
Email: nickpnyrwriter@gmail.com
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