New York Rangers: First five players to get promoted
The New York Rangers are known for their depth at both forward and defense. However, situations occur throughout the season that effect the availability of both forwards and defensemen. The Hartford Wolf Pack has a bit of talent that is NHL ready this year.
The NHL season is long and arduous. Play fluctuates throughout the year, and players become unavailable. That’s where the AHL comes into play.
The New York Rangers’ affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, has a fair bit of NHL ready talent this year. However, the big club has a ton of depth at both forward and defense. That leaves a fair bit of talent toiling away at the AHL level.
So many things can happen during the year: players get hurt, coaches get impatient with certain players, players get suspended, etc. The AHL teams are the sources of players used to replace those unavailable. Here I take a look at which players are most likely to be called up by the Rangers.
Filip Chytil
The New York Rangers’ first round draft pick from 2017 got a two game tryout to start the year. After the two lackluster (not totally by fault of his own) games, Chytil was sent down to the AHL. His preseason success and obvious skill set will force his return to the NHL if the opportunity arises.
Chytil won a starting spot out of training camp. He began the year centering the second line. However, in both of his NHL games, he received very little game time.
In his debut against Colorado, the 18-year-old Czech played a measly 7:40. It got worse against Toronto, where he played a paltry 4:59. Simply put, that sample size is much too small to make an accurate conclusion about his readiness.
On the other hand, Chytil showed his impressive offensive skill set in the preseason. He passed the puck well, and made his linemates better. All of that culminated in his game-winning goal in overtime against the Islanders.
Chytil is slated to play on the top line in Hartford. As such, he also stands to get much more ice time. If he continues to impress, the youngster will be back with the big club before we know it.
Cristoval “Boo” Nieves
The Rangers’ biggest lack of depth is at the center role. Luckily, they have an abundance of young centers at the AHL level. Cristoval “Boo” Nieves projects to be a solid bottom six center down the road.
The 2012 second round draft choice played his first full season with the Wolf Pack last year. That comes following a full four season career at the University of Michigan. While never a huge point producer, Nieves excels at quite a few other aspects of the game.
As previously stated, Nieves projects to be a solid bottom-six center with some upside. He plays the game with a great mix of speed and grit that lends itself well to the NHL game. His upside comes from his vision and passing.
Through his career at Michigan and in his first season in the AHL, Nieves used his passing to great success in all aspects of the game. His breakout passes are crisp, and he moves the puck through the neutral zone with clean tape-to-tape passes. In the final third, he creates with that same skill.
Neal Pionk
The Rangers happen to have a ton of depth in defense. However, the NHL regulars range in skill from captain Ryan McDonagh to stopgaps in Nick Holden and Steven Kampfer. If any of the right-handed defensemen falter, NCAA standout Neal Pionk showed that he can step in.
After going undrafted following his first two years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Pionk was signed to an entry level contract this past offseason. In the preseason, Pionk impressed with his smooth skating and work with the puck on his stick, scoring one of the best goals in the preseason. In only two games with the Wolf Pack, Pionk continued his strong two-way play with which he made his name in college.
Playing in both of the Wolf Pack’s opening games, Pionk posted an assist in only his second game. That in itself is a microcosm of Pionk’s game. Pionk made his name on his solid two-way game and his capability to create chances on his own.
Ryan Graves
While the right side of the Rangers’ defense is weaker than the left, it never hurts to have some solid depth. In the case of injury to any starter on the left, I expect Ryan Graves to be called up. While KHL standout Alexei Bereglazov transitions to the North American game, Graves is fully accustomed and ready to make the jump.
Graves seems like the prototypical defensive defenseman. He skates well, checks well, and defends well. However, he has another aspect to his game.
Ryan Graves has an absolute howitzer. In fact, as an AHL rookie, Graves won the AHL’s hardest shot competition, rifling a 103.4 mph slapper into the net during the skills competition. And Graves has only gotten bigger, and stronger.
Graves also has a good bit more experience than his counterparts. Graves is entering his third year as a member of the Wolf Pack. That experience goes a long way in making it in the NHL.
Matt Puempel
Matt Puempel is one of, if not the, most experienced players for the Wolf Pack this season. The 24-year-old winger was picked up off the waiver wire last year after only playing 13 games with the Ottawa Senators. The former first round draft pick went on to play 27 games with the Rangers last season.
While he only played in 27 games, Puempel showed glimpses of why the Senators picked him in the first round. He scored six goals and three assists for nine points, including a hat trick against the Arizona Coyotes. He signed a one year deal to stay with the Rangers this offseason.
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While he didn’t play all that great with the Rangers last season, his NHL experience makes him an attractive player to be recalled. And, unlike the youngsters featured above, the Rangers already know what they’re getting out of Puempel. Do I think he makes the best recall, no; but I could see him being pulled up early on if players struggle or get hurt.