Over the next couple of weeks leading up to the Traverse City Tournament and the New York Rangers training camp, I will be previewing the teams top-4 prospects from each position; starting today with left-wingers.
The Rangers own one of the deepest and most talented pool of prospects, having made some very strong draft selections post-lockout. The organization has become younger, and the Rangers commitment to a youth-movement has resulted in players such as Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi becoming center pieces of the club.
Despite receiving trade proposals for talented forwards and defensemen, the Rangers have stuck to their guns by deciding against making a trade that would impact their future and their prospect group. GM Glen Sather claims that the Rangers has been offered top-tier players such as Mike Ribero and Dany Heatley, but with players such as Dubinsky and Callahan involved in the deal, the club has rejected the possible transactions.
The Rangers have moved on from their past ignorance and neglect towards younger players and draft picks, and experts believe that their recent wise-decisions to stick with their prospects will pay dividends in the near future; and possibly land them a Stanley Cup visit very soon.
I have chosen to kick-off my Rangers' prospect preview with left-wingers. So, without further adieu...
1. Chris Kreider: Considered to be the top prospect in the whole Rangers organization, Chris Kreider, 20, has Blueshirt fans buzzing with excitement at getting a chance to see him play. Unfortunately, the 19th overall pick in 2009 will spend another year in Boston playing for Boston College before turning pro. This past year, Kreider scored eleven goals and thirteen assists in 32 games for BC, and he took 37-penalty minutes. Kreider's speed and offensive talent is what most excites the Rangers organization and fanbase, and most believe that he may become the team's first-line left-winger when he becomes a Ranger. Kreider's decision to remain in Boston for another year was not very popular, but his decision to take a massive amount of summer classes to push his education along proves that he plans on signing with the club next summer. While the Rangers front office insists that Kreider is ready to make the jump to the NHL, the 20-year-old believes that one more year in College will be best for him and his hockey future.
2. Carl Hagelin: Selected at pick 168 overall (round six) in the 2007 draft, not much was expected to come from this Swedish forward. But following two impressive campaigns at the University of Michigan, Carl Hagelin, 22, became an instant hit within the Rangers prospect pool. In the 2009-10 season, Hagelin reached the 50 point mark for Michigan, tallying 19 goals and 31 assists in only 45 games. Last season, Hagelin nearly reached the mark again, recording 49 points in only 44 games. Hagelin was signed by the Rangers in April, and played in five playoff games with the clubs' AHL affiliate Connecticut Whale. The winger contributed with one goal and one assist in the five games, but the Whale were eliminated in the first-round. Hagelin is a talented two-way player, with great ice-vision and playmaking skills. Hagelin will attend the Rangers 2011 training camp in hopes of making the team's opening night roster. Through re-signing Ruslan Fedotenko, the Rangers have the ability to watch Hagelin play a whole season with the Whale, and analyze what type of player he will be at the pro level. Some believe that he could be a strong compliment to 21-year-old center Derek Stepan on the Rangers' second- or third-line in the future, and this seems to be a strong possibility.
3. Mats Zuccarello: Although the 23-year-old winger played in 42 games with the Rangers' last season, Mats Zuccarello is still considered one of the organization's top prospects. The Rangers' won the Zuccarello sweepstakes last summer, as the Norwegian forward was said to receive interest from over 20 NHL clubs. Zuccarello impressed NHL GM's during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, and his successful season in the SEL also sparked some excitement. In 2009-10, Zuccarello recorded 64 points in 55 games with Team MODO of the Swedish Elite League; earning him the league's MVP award. The 5-foot-7, 174-pound, forward began his North American career in the AHL with the Wolf Pack/Whale. In 39 games with Connecticut, he totaled 13 goals and 16 assists. Zuccarello played his first NHL game on December 23, 2010, against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and although the team lost the game in a shoot-out, the Rangers coaching staff got a small taste of what the diminutive forward has to offer. During his time with the Rangers last season, Zuccarello was a key shoot-out scorer, winning three games for the team. In 42 games, he recorded six goals and 17 assists for 23 points. He played in one playoff game with the Rangers before returning to the Whale, where he played in two playoff games prior to breaking his hand. The speedy winger has good ice-vision and he is a great playmaker. He will have the opportunity to make the Rangers out of training camp this September, and after taking off-season skating lessons with Barbara Underhill--the same instructor who helped Brian Boyle become a stronger skater and a 20-goal scorer--making the Rangers' is a strong possibility.
4. Jason Wilson: Finishing off the list of the Rangers' top-4 prospect left-wingers, is rugged power-forward, Jason Wilson. Wilson, 21, was selected by the Rangers in round-five of the 2010 draft. He spent last season with the OHL's Niagara IceDogs, and his 2010-11 Junior campaign turned out to be his best. Wilson began his OHL career with the London Knight's in 2008-09, and was traded to the Owen Sound Attack prior to the 2009-10 season. Wilson was traded once again prior to the 2010-11 season, this time to the IceDogs. Known for his size and skill, Wilson is projected as a third- or fourth-line power-forward, who can score the dirty goal's, and fight if he needs too. Last season, Wilson scored 18 goals and 43 points in 64 games, along with 94-penalty minutes. In the playoffs, Wilson recorded 12 points in only 14 games, and he amassed 19-penalty minutes. His impressive play and improvement in scoring numbers resulted in an entry-level contract with the Rangers organization. Wilson is old enough to spend next season with the Whale, which is a very likely scenario. Wilson could serve as a mid-season recall next season, and the Rangers are interested in seeing how he will perform at the professional level.
Twitter: @NickPerriNYR
Email: nickpnyrwriter@gmail.com
NOTE: In order for a player to be considered a prospect, in my opinion, he must play no more than 50 NHL games. This will be important for future reference.
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