New York Rangers Draft: Gettinger’s Size Can Lead to Big Things
By Mike Ries
The New York Rangers Selected forward Tim Gettinger in the Fifth Round with the 141st pick overall. A native of Olmstead, Ohio, the 6’6″ 205lb forward has played for the Soo Greyhounds for the past 2 seasons and has developed into a strong two-way forward. As with the Rangers first pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft Sean Day, he had fallen from a mid second round pick (depending on the draft listings anywhere from 51st overall to 73rd overall) into the Rangers lap at 141, and the Rangers took the best player they thought could fill a void in the future.
He is projected as a long-term project, with at least one more year of Major-Junior seasoning and possibly a second year as an overage player in the OHL. His fall in the draft rankings to where he was actually picked was caused by a combination of a poor second half of his OHL season and the penchant, it seemed by NHL General Managers to pursue European-based players and American born players playing in the USHL and NTDP.
Gettinger has very quick feet for a big man and good hands
Tim has the ability to play both wings and is very responsible on the defensive side of things. The biggest debate is his skating ability, having watched him over the past 2 seasons I believe it’s a combination of his lanky frame and young age being awkward with his size, as he has not filled out and will grow into a monster in the next few years.
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He has great hands for a big man as his goal total increased from 10 in his rookie year to 17 this past year. Being named an assistant captain in his second year is quite an accomplishment for an 18yr old in the OHL and reflects his character and leadership abilities. He doesn’t possess an NHL caliber shot as of yet, but that may come with time as he progresses.
He is Projected as a Bottom Six Forward
Without natural scoring ability, if he relies on a gritty style along with his size he may well turn out to be a good penalty killing forward and a player who is matched up against the oppositions top two lines. As with any prospect, though, it is all in how he progresses through the Rangers’ system and how he adapts to the coaching at the ECHL and AHL level. He will get a long look at New York Rangers rookie camp and may even see time at the main camp. He will be asked to play in different roles through camp so the Rangers brass can get a better feel of what they have in Gettinger.
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Seasoning is What Gettinger Will Need
On the outside, it looks like he is about 4 years away from donning a New York Ranger jersey on a regular basis. As he fills out into his body, it will be interesting to see if his skating ability improves and if he works on his shooting ability. He has all the tools to be an NHL player, it is just a question if he will develop into one.