New York Rangers: Five best prospects who will play overseas in 18-19

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Vitali Kravtsov poses for a portrait after being selected ninth overall by the New York Rangers during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 24: Patrik Virta, 207th overall pick of the New York Rangers, poses for a portrait during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

5. Patrik Virta, RW, HC Slovan Bratislava

Virta was a the 201st selection of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Being selected in the middle of the seventh round as an overager, expectations for the right wing were as minuscule as possible.

A year after being drafted, Virta came out of nowhere and tallied 14 goals and 12 assists in 49 games in his first season with TPS in Liliga. His second season in Finland’s best pro hockey league found Virta registering the same amount of goals but doubling his assist total to 24 in nine more games.

Virta has exceptional hands in tight. He needs to be covered tightly within 10 feet of the net or he can thread a quick pass in between defenders right on to a teammate’s stick, or blast it by the netminder.

Virta will be playing in the KHL for the first time in 2018-19 with HC Slovan Bratislava. If he can stick there and put up some numbers, his chances at fulfilling his NHL dreams inch a bit closer.

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