New York Rangers Top Prospects 15-11

If you missed them, the previous ranked 20-16 New York Rangers prospects can be found here, if you are all caught up, lets dive into 15-11.

15. Mat Bodie

25 years old, Defensemen, Signed as an Undrafted Free Agent by the Rangers

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Much like Ryan Bourque, Mat Bodie’s time with the Rangers organization could be running out. There is no question he has improved his game, but he still needs more time to develop in the AHL. Bodie is 25 years old and will turn 26 in March, meaning in the off season, it will be his last time where he will become an RFA.

Bodie can absolutely develop into an NHL defensemen, and it’s quite possible he does so in the next one or two years. I just don’t see it being possible that he can crack the Rangers top 6 within that span, but he might be able to make it as the 7th defensemen. The Rangers went with a gutsy decision in the offseason and chose to keep Mat Bodie rather than defensemen Conor Allen in the previous offseason. So far it’s worked well in the Rangers favor, as Allen only has only recorded a disappointing 8 points in 35 AHL games this season. While Bodie has recorded a solid 19 points in 42 AHL games this season.

Bodie is an offensive defensemen and will need to have strong end to the AHL season to standout and have a crack at making the Rangers roster next season. Now of course it depends what the Rangers decide do with their blue line, as Dan Boyle said he is likely to retire and Keith Yandle is scheduled to become a free agent next season. We’ll see what happens, but Bodie would also be great to keep in Hartford for another year and a half.

14. Sergey Zborovskiy

18 years old, Defensemen, 3rd round pick 79th overall.

Sergey Zborovskiy was one of the four Rangers prospects who participated in the world juniors and earned a silver medal while representing team Russia on defense. Other than that Zborovskiy has a lot of work to do to improve his game. There is no question that picking Zborovskiy in the 3rd round was a long reach by the Rangers and there were definitely many better players to chose from.

Zborovskiy is a huge defensemen at 6″4 and 190 pounds. The biggest flaws in his game are without a doubt his skating and moving the puck up the ice. Luckily for the Rangers is Zborovskiy has plenty of time to develop and is almost just 19 years of age. With that being said it’s too early to tell where the ceiling of Zborovskiy’s potential is, but it will be interesting to see how he develops.

This is a pick where we have to trust Gordie Clark, who has done a phenomenal job of finding first round talent in the third round. Zborovskiy of course is no where near first round talent, but we’ll see how he develops. Currently he has 17 points in 41 WHL games so that certainly isn’t bad.

13. Daniel Bernhardt

19 years old, Winger, 4th round pick 119th overall.

Considering how deep the 2015 NHL entry draft was, many 4th round picks felt like like 3rd round picks and some 2nd round picks felt like first round picks. Daniel Bernhardt fits this description and the Rangers in my opinion received a  great valued prospect considering where they were able to pick him. The Bernhardt pick also sums up what Gordie Clark has targeted in previous drafts, and that is “Size and Speed”.

Bernhardt at his 6″3 frame is already an elite skater. He’s pretty much current Rangers forward Chris Kreider in the making with his size and speed. With that being said, Bernhardt has ways to go even though he has two key tools that teams look for in an NHL player. Bernhardt will need to improve his shot, as of right now his shot is nothing special, but it’s not horrendous either.

However if a player is gifted with dynamic/elite skating ability there will always be a place for them in the best hockey leagues in the world. The other parts of their games will eventually come together and improve, I like Bernhardt’s chances of developing into an NHL player, hopefully sooner than later.

12. Brad Morrison

19 years old, Center, 4th round pick 113th overall.

The 2015 draft has the potential to shape up as one of the best drafts the Rangers have ever had, despite not even having a first round draft choice. The start of Brad Morrison’s WHL season this year didn’t start off the way he anticipated it, but Morrison is currently riding a nice hot streak and has recorded 44 points in 49 WHL games. This is including a recent hat trick on he had on January 16th 2016.

Morrison is a highly skilled offensive minded player, and has a solid two way game as well. Morrison is a great skater, has a filthy pair of hands and is a dynamic playmaker. Morrison was drafted just 6 picks before Bernhardt in the 4th round, but is a totally different player.

One thing Morrison needs to do is bulk up more, currently he’s 171 pounds and he needs improve his strength and his physical game. But other than that his skill set reminds of both young centers Scott Gomez and Paul Kariya. Morrison at just 5″11 isn’t the biggest center, but much like Kariya’s and Gomez’s size and skill set, they wouldn’t be the worst comparison for Morrison. Below is some highlights of Morrison prior to him being drafted by the Rangers.

11. Cristoval Boo Nieves

22 years old, Center, 2nd round pick 59th overall.

Taking a step back from the so far so good looking 2015 draft class, it took a while for Cristoval Nieves to develop, but he has earned the 11th spot on the rankings. Yet another player at a 6″3 frame and he has increased his weight to 200 pounds, but he might need to bulk up a bit more to become a bigger threat.  Now aside from that, he has above average skating ability, a shot that can be deadly and he seems to have a reputation of scoring many highlight real goals.

If i had to compare him a current player in the NHL, I’d have to go with a quicker skating Kevin Hayes. Despite Hayes being bigger and more bulk, they both have patience with the puck and great puck handling abilities for their size. Right now there is nothing to suggest that he won’t get an entry level contract offer from the Rangers once he finishes his current season as a senior for the University of Michigan. Nieves is nearly a point a game player this season by having 17 points in 18 games with Michigan, so the odds are strong in his favor. Here’s one of his best highlight reel goals he’s scored.

Next: New York Rangers top prospects 20-16

Still with that being said he will need some time in Hartford to adjust to a higher level, he probably needs atleast one full season there. In terms of position Nieves is currently listed as a center, but he made a shift from the wing to the center in his time with Michigan. Giving Nieves sometime down Hartford will be telling for what position he is better suited to play. At this rate, it looks like Nieves has the potential to become a top 6 forward in the NHL.