Ranking the New York Rangers’ top five American prospects
It’s independence Day, so it’s only right if we talk about the New York Rangers’ American players. Who are the top five Americans in their prospect pool?
Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. It’s a day that calls for hanging out with your friends, drinking some beers (if you’re over 21, of course…), eating some burgers fresh off the grill and tossing around those old cornhole bags as you look to crush your competition.
During these cherished festivities, the topic of sports always comes up. This year, I’m sure the topic of LeBron James going to LA (which was a stupid move from a basketball standpoint, by the way) or DeMarcus Cousins and the Warriors will come up.
Hockey, and more specifically, the Rangers, will also come up in conversation too.
The Rangers, to non-Rangers fans, look like a complete mess. Little do they know, while the NHL team might not be great in 2018-19, they are beginning to build themselves back up the right way. The prospect pool is growing fast and furiously, and that is extremely exciting.
So on this Independence Day, let’s take a look at the Blueshirts’ prospect pool –more specifically, their American prospect pool — and rank the top five players who represent the Red, White and Blue whenever they step on the ice.
5. Brandon Crawley, LHD
Crawley, the Rangers’ former fourth round pick from the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, is coming off of his first year in pro hockey. In 64 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 17-18, the defenseman posted a minuscule two goals and five assists.
However, offense has never really been a focal point in his game.
Instead, he’s a rock solid defender who can move the puck up ice with ease. He has a decent size frame at 6-foot-1 and 205 lbs which allows him to take the body and play a physical brand of hockey.
What made his season last year so impressive was the fact that he was left with a skeleton squad on defense in Hartford. Players like John Gilmour, Neal Pionk and Tony DeAngelo all were called up to the NHL due to injuries and trades, which hurt Hartford’s depth greatly.
For a rookie 20-year-old to play as well as Crawley did defensively under these circumstances is extremely impressive.
The Glen Rock, New Jersey native probably projects to be a third pairing defender, but he’d be a solid one at that for sure.
4. Vinni Lettieri, RW
Even though Lettieri got a cup of coffee with the big club last season, he only played 19 games with the Rangers, making him still eligible for rookie status heading into 2018-19.
Lettieri showed some flashes of top-nine potential in both Hartford and in the NHL. He only scored one NHL goal — in his first game, no less — but he hit about six or seven posts in his 19 games, which I’m sure was very frustrating for the Excelsior, Minnesota native.
In the AHL, Lettieri put up some solid numbers. In 55 games, he notched 23 goals and 13 assists and was the Wolf Pack’s most consistent force on offense not named Filip Chytil.
Next season, the crafty wing will have a grand opportunity to crack the top nine on opening night.
3. Joey Keane, RHD
Keane, an overager, was selected by the Rangers in the third round of this year’s NHL Entry Draft.
The Chicago, Illinois native spent the last two seasons with the OHL’s Barrie Colts. This past season, Keane was named an alternate captain, which fits the Rangers search for young leaders.
In 62 games, Keane registered 12 goals and 32 assists in 62 games and notched seven assists in 12 playoff games.
Keane is a slick puck moving defender who is one of the more underrated passing defenseman in the draft. His small frame of 6-feet, 180 lbs, along with being an overager, presumably worried some teams in the draft but the Rangers took a chance on him anyway.
Keane was perceived to be a bit of a reach going in the third round but once you get to day two of the draft, everyone’s draft list is extremely different so if the Rangers really liked him, then he’s a fine pick in the late third round.
He’s probably a few years away from playing in the league and will likely play with the Wolf Pack next season.
2. Ryan Lindgren, LHD
Their are few prospects in the Rangers’ system that are more interesting than Lindgren.
The Minneapolis, Minnesota native isn’t that big for a defenseman at 6-feet, 185 pounds, but he plays like he is.
If you YouTube search Lindgren’s name, you aren’t gonna find many dangles or highlight-reel goals. What you will find is a series of bone crushing hits that will send shivers down your spine.
Lindgren is a throwback defenseman with a twist; while he has a propensity to take the body, he is also excellent at moving the puck.
Lindgren also has future leadership role written all over him. He was named an alternate captain as a sophomore at the University of Minnesota. That is an extremely rare accomplishment, especially at a school like that.
Lindgren played briefly with the Wolf Pack at the end of his sophomore season. In 10 games, the former third round pick notched two goals and two assist, which is surprising production for Lindgren.
He’s not going to put up many points at all. He’s the classic stay-at-home defenseman.
Lindgren will have a very good chance to make the big club out of training camp.
1. K’Andre Miller, LHD
Not only is K’Andre Miller the best American in the Rangers’ system, but he’s also the best defenseman and the best all around athlete in the team’s growing prospect pool as well.
Drafted 22nd overall, the Rangers are extremely high on the Hopkins, Minnesota native. He’s a hulking 6-foot-4 defender who weighs about 200 pounds. Yet, he skates like the wind. As far as physical tools go, he’s the defenseman version of Chris Kreider. He’s an absolute physical specimen.
Miller only started playing defenseman two years ago. A converted forward, Miller took to the position pretty quickly and still has a lot of room to go. He will start his collegiate career this winter with the University of Wisconsin.
The Rangers would love Miller to come over and play with the big club right away but they know it’s best for his development to play at the college level for a few seasons at first.
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In a few years, though, Miller has the potential to be the best overall American player on the club. And who knows? Maybe one of the best in the league, too.