New York Rangers: Analyzing Pronman’s Prospect Pool Ranking
Prospect analyst Corey Pronman released his annual prospect pool rankings, and the New York Rangers made the 29th spot. Here is why they do–and don’t–deserve to be that low.
The New York Rangers prospect pool in recent years has never been particularly strong. A lack of first round picks over the last five years has hindered their ability to build anything strong. While the Rangers have found some talent in the middle rounds, they have not typically had more than one or two high potential players in the system.
ESPN writer and highly respected prospect analyst Corey Pronman recently ranked the New York Rangers prospect pool 29th in the league. This surprised some, especially after the Rangers had two first round picks this year. However, in spite of this, such a low ranking is still justified.
At this point in time, the Rangers do have several prospects with NHL potential. Like many of their picks and signings in recent years, though, the potential within is somewhat limited. The Rangers have not had a prospect with superstar potential, arguably, since Alexei Cherepanov.
Recent graduates Brady Skjei and Pavel Buchnevich have been highly successful, but their departure to the NHL weakens the prospect pool. Even when they were in it, though, the two of them were really the only big name prospects the Rangers had,
Let’s take a look at both sides of the coin:
Why Rank 29 Isn’t Justified
Certainly, the Rangers don’t have a top 10 or 15 prospect pool, but it is better than it is credited. Recent picks Filip Chytil and Lias Andersson greatly strengthen it. Sean Day’s terrific physical tools enhance the strength of the pool even more.
Arguably, the Rangers top prospect is still KHL goaltender Igor Shestyorkin. Having a top flight goalie prospect is of massive importance to a team looking to replace an aging Henrik Lundqvist down the road. That goalie prospect being one of the best goalies in a strong professional league only betters that notion.
Recent signings Alexei Bereglazov and Neal Pionk are also likely to make the NHL in the near future. Having defensemen such as those two serves to strengthen a great need: defense. With those acquisitions, the Rangers have helped solidify their biggest weakness.
Why Rank 29 Is Justified
On the flip side of things, the 29th rank is, to a degree, justified. While the Rangers could stand to be a little bit higher, their prospect pool is still in the bottom of the league. Had the Rangers owned a first round pick in even one of the drafts between 2013 and 2016, this may be a different conversation.
Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil are both terrific prospects, but neither of them have star potential. If the Rangers had used pick #7 to select a higher ceiling player like Casey Mittelstadt or Gabriel Vilardi, that alone could serve to raise their league ranking. 2nd rounder Ryan Gropp is also a wild card, having such an up and down WHL career.
Lias Andersson could also be out of the prospect pool very quickly. Conversations about Andersson becoming the Rangers 3rd line center right off the bat are being had more and more frequently. If he leaves the prospect pool that fast, that strengthens the team as a whole, but weakens the system.
Igor Shestyorkin, while expected to be the Rangers next franchise goalie, is, well, a goalie. Goaltending prospects follow very unique developmental paths and generally do not have as much value as forwards or defensemen. A franchise potential goalie one year can sink to a mediocre prospect with one poor year, and vice versa.
Aforementioned signings Neal Pionk and Alexei Bereglazov pose a similar predicament as Andersson: both are very close to NHL ready. If they both make the cut soon, along with Andersson, that strips down the prospect pool quite heavily.
Next: Sean Day's Future With The Rangers
Acquiring young players already so close to the NHL is smart for a team rebuilding on the fly, but strengthening the prospect pool requires top flight prospects. Even if their path may take years before they reach the NHL, the Rangers may have been better for the future by selecting players with higher, more robust production projections.