With the All-Star break finally having arrived, there is only so much that can be said about the weekend’s festivities. Certain stars drop out of the game, a debate ensues, the skills competition and the game happens and we all move on with our lives.
So with a little bit of down time before the blue shirts take the ice once again, it gives us the opportunity to take a deeper look into the organization. One of those deeper looks involves the teams prospects.
Lets take a look at some of the top New York Rangers prospects that have some upside. We’ll evaluate the Rangers Director of Player Personell, Gordie Clark and his drafting despite having little first round draft picks to work with. Not all prospects of course that make this list are guaranteed to have future with the Rangers or the NHL, but they definitely have some upside.
This mini series will take a look at the top 20 prospects currently within the organization. We will start off with 20-16 with the remaining parts to this series coming out every other day, so stay tuned for the top 5.
Let’s get under way, shall we?
20. Ryan Bourque
25 years old, Winger, 3rd round pick 80th overall.
First off congratulations to Ryan Bourque on being named captain of the Hartford Wolf Pack this season! As for Bourque, he has pretty much reached his full potential playing in the AHL, and he definitely has a shot at becoming solid 3rd or 4th line player. Unfortunately, it appears there is no room for him to crack the lineup. Bourque who is 25, has his RFA rights held by the Rangers until he is 26, meaning his time in the Rangers system is running out.
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The New York Rangers can probably receive a medium to low draft pick in return for Bourque’s. A decision will have to be made on Bourque in the off season, because the way it appears I can see Bourque requesting a trade to be given a better shot at cracking an NHL roster spot elsewhere. On the other hand Bourque would be a great keep in Hartford if he agrees to resign for another year to help develop other Rangers prospects. There is no doubt that he has become a good leader down in Hartford. If injuries occur between now and the rest of the season, he wouldn’t be a bad option to call up and be given the best opportunity to have a future with the Rangers.
19. Niklas Jenson
22 years old, Winger, 1st round pick 29th overall by Vancouver (acquired via trade)
I knew little about Jensen prior to him being traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for Emersen Etem. Many already believe that he’s a bust and will never be able to make it to the NHL. Jensen only had 69 points in 122 AHL games prior to being traded to the Rangers. Which is why people are frustrated that Etem left, who probably has more upside than Jensen.
Looking on the bright side, Jensen was a first round pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2011 and is still only 22 years old. There is no rush for him to crack the Rangers lineup, so they can afford to have him spend some time in Hartford, hoping he finds his game. Jensen so far has been effective on Hartford’s 3rd line, recording 3 points in 6 games. Jensen is a player with size and his shot is probably the best part of his game. Jensen also has a nose for the net and isn’t a bad skater but nothing special.
As of right now, Jensen makes the Wolfpack a better hockey team then they were before he was acquired, if that means anything. An AHL highlight video for Jensen can be viewed down below.
18. Steven Fogarty
22 years old, Center, 3rd round pick 72nd overall.
Fogarty has been impressive so far this year for Notre Dame, as he is nearly a point a game player with recording 18 points in 25 games. Fogarty will need to continue the season at this rate since he is in his senior year trying to earn an entry level contract from the Rangers. If he is able to continue producing at this rate he should be able to earn an entry level contract with the Rangers.
Fogarty is a solid two way forward, but there is definitely room for a ton of improvement. Even if Fogarty earns an entry level contract at the end of his season, he still needs quite a bit of time in the AHL to even be considered able to play in the NHL. However, I think he has some upside, and could become a decent third line center. But first he must finish his season in Notre Dame the way he started it in order to earn an entry level contract from the Rangers.
17. Keegan Iverson
19 years old, Winger, 3rd round pick 85th overall
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Keegan Iverson is in the same boat as Fogarty, as both will try to earn NHL entry level contracts from the New York Rangers at the end of their seasons. Iverson’s offensive production without a question isn’t the greatest and he isn’t the type of player that’s going light up the scoreboard with his amazing offensive skill set. He might not be that type of player, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have any offensive skill what so ever. Iverson reminds me of Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson.
Eyes On Isles
Wilson made it into the NHL as a bottom six forward, who specialized in a physical game and a player who creates energy by sticking up for his teammates. That’s where I think the ceiling is for Iverson, as a bottom six forward who not only can fight, but bring an effective physical game and a solid grinder in the offensive zone that helps sustain pressure on the opposing teams defense. Iverson could be intimidating to play against in many different ways, which makes him more valuable than the typical 4th line goon.
16. Adam Huska
18 years old, Goaltender, 7th round 184th overall.
Just over a couple of seasons ago there was hardly any goaltenders with high potential in the New York Rangers system, and now that’s is starting to change big time. In the 2015 entry draft, a goaltender wasn’t even at the slightest of needs for the Rangers and they still went with Adam Huska. Which was a low risk sneaky 7th round draft choice by Gordie Clark.
Huska has shined and is looking like yet another goaltender steal in the draft by the Rangers. Huska has just dominated in the USHL with a 1.71 goals against average and a sv% of .940. He was then awarded as the Slovakian starting goaltender in the World Junior Championship, and played well despite being on a terrible team.
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At this point it’s tough to say where the ceiling is for Adam Huska, but there is no question that he has been a pleasant surprise. Huska as of right now is a good insurance goaltender just incase something goes wrong with one of the Rangers top goaltending prospects. This is absolutely no reason to undervalue Huska, but if he can continue posting impressive numbers this pick will prove to be another goaltending steal.