New York Rangers' top five defensemen under age 25

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The New York Rangers are in the midst of a rebuild, and took steps late in the regular season and into the offseason to add assets.

While the Rangers had previously established a good mix of young and veteran players, they now have created a solid core of veterans who are in their mid-20s.

In addition to this, with their goal to rebuild, they have managed to acquire a group of young players who they will look to as they finish laying the groundwork and take steps into a new era.

While this is true on both ends of the ice, the Rangers decision to trade franchise defenseman Ryan McDonagh in favor of gaining young talent left them with holes to fill on the defensive end.

Rangers’ General Manager, Jeff Gorton, could have looked to fill these holes with some players in the NHL’s unrestricted free agent pool, but up to this point, he has remained relatively quiet.

Based on this decision, it seems that Gorton would rather try to work with the resources the team has. This approach to building will obviously take time, but it means that we have talent in the pool that Gorton thinks is worth waiting for.

Here are some of the defensemen we think could have a big impact on the Rangers’ future.

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – 2018/01/09: Roman Graborenko (L) of HC Kunlun Red Star and Yegor Rykov of HC SKA Saint Petersburg in action during the 2017/18 Kontinental Hockey League Regular Season match between HC Kunlun Red Star and HC SKA Saint Petersburg at Ice Palace on January 09, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Igor Russak/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

5. Yegor Rykov

Yegor Rykov is a Russian native who has been playing for SKA St. Petersburg as a part of their third defensive pair. The Rangers landed Rykov as a part of the trade for Michael Grabner made with the New Jersey Devils at the end of the regular season.

Rykov was drafted by the Devils in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He has a year left on his KHL contract, but has good promise based on where we’ve seen him play thus far.

The biggest impact that comes in regard to Rykov is how well-rounded a player he is. Rykov is very quick despite his size (6’3″, 202), and though there is nothing particularly flashy about his style, he is accurate.

He does a good job reading the ice and can make a good first pass. He has displayed the ability to do the same on the defensive end and uses his stick to break up passes and block shots.

Rykov just needs a bit more time to develop the rest of the game, collect under pressure and use the skill set he has. So the fact that he has one year left in Russia is great for the Rangers.

The bottom line is that Rykov has the potential to develop into a great two way defenseman. He just needs to finish out KHL contract and get some time playing in the states.

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 29: New York Rangers Defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) skates during New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp on June 29, 2018 at the MSG Training Center in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Ryan Lindgren

The Rangers picked up Ryan Lindgren late in the 2017-18 season. He joined the team via the Rick Nash trade at the in-season deadline.

Lindgren played two seasons at the University of Minnesota and is projected to make an appearance at training camp in September.

Lindgren is not known for his offensive numbers. However, he is known for playing a gritty and tough, yet responsible game.

In his 67 games at Minnesota, he recorded just three goals and 13 assists for 16 points.

However, there is evidence that shows this could change. The Minnesota is one of few collegiate programs to use Olympic-size ice.

Rangers defenseman and Minnesota alum, Brady Skjei, was in a similar situation prior to entering into the league, in that his offensive numbers were not all that impressive. Obviously, we know how Skjei ended up. In his rookie season, Skjei recorded 39 points, the most by a rookie defenseman since Brian Leetch in 1988-89.

And in the short time he’s been involved with the Rangers, there has been an uptick in his offensive production. Lindgren joined the Hartford Wolf Pack for 10 games in the 2017-18 season and recorded two goals and two assists for four points.

The bottom line is that Lindgren’s physical, yet defensively responsible game is exactly what the Rangers need. While seeing him have a bit more offensively would be great, he could develop into an asset the Rangers are sorely missing.

REGINA, SK – MAY 27: Libor Hajek #3 of Regina Pats skates against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan at Brandt Centre – Evraz Place on May 27, 2018 in Regina, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images) /

3. Libor Hajek

Libor Hajek is one of the the top prospects to watch when training camp rolls around, as he has shown to have great potential.

The Rangers acquired the 20-year-old Czech native in the trade that moved J.T. Miller and Ryan McDonagh to Tampa.

The Lightning drafted Hajek in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft (37th overall). He has good size (6’2″, 202), but is also a strong skater who has shown to have high end skill.

During the 2017-18 season, Hajek split time in the WHL between the Saskatoon Blades and the Regina Pats and recorded a total 12 goals, 27 assists for 39 points in 58 games. He also played for the Czech Republic in the IIHF World Junior Championships and recorded a goal and seven assists for eight points in eight games.

While he is yet another defenseman who will be looking for a spot on the left side, there is little that Hajek can’t do. He arguably has the highest upside of any defensive prospect in the system, and, from what we’ve seen, a high ceiling.

If developed properly, Hajek could easily become a top four defenseman that could carry important minutes.

NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 03: New York Rangers defenseman Neal Pionk (44) skates during the first period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on April 3, 2018, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Neal Pionk

The Rangers signed Neal Pionk after his sophomore season at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Pionk played his first 48 games of the 2017-18 season with Hartford and made an immediate impact upon joining the Rangers. He has good sense in both zones and is a solid two way player who thrives when it comes to playing the puck in transition.

Though he is on the smaller side (6’0″, 190) the impact of his game comes in his skating and stickhandling ability. His understanding of where he needs to put himself also allows him to break up plays on the defensive end.

This skill set allows him to make plays, exit the zone and push the puck up through center ice.

Despite a recent interview, where he said he became a defenseman because he had trouble scoring goals, he is able to get pucks in front of the net from the blueline and create dangerous opportunities.

In his time with the Rangers, he notched one goal and 13 assists for 14 points in 28 games.

Pionk was selected to join Team USA at the IIHF World Championships played in Denmark in May. Team USA came home with a bronze medal and Pionk scored two goals and recorded an assist in the 10 games played.

Overall, the 22-year-old has shown he is a player that fits the Rangers style of play. He is the only true right-handed defenseman that the Rangers have in the pipeline as well.

Pionk has the potential to become an extremely important piece of the Rangers. So long as he is given an opportunity to grow his game this season, this will become a reality.

WINNIPEG, MB – FEBRUARY 11: New York Rangers Defenceman Brady Skjei (76) takes a shot from the point during a NHL game between the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers on February 11, 2018 at Bell MTS Centre in Winnipeg, MB. The Rangers defeated the Jets 3-1.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Brady Skjei

Since Brady Skjei joined the Rangers in the 2016 postseason, he has established himself as one of the Rangers top defensemen.

While there has been some turnover in resources since he first started, Skjei has always displayed that he has the qualities it takes to serve a top four defensive role.

He is one of the Rangers best players in transition and along the blueline and boasts a career total nine goals and 55 assists in the 162 games of his rookie and sophomore seasons.

As mentioned, the 39 points (five goals, 34 assists) were the most recorded by a rookie defenseman since Leetch.

However, though he has the willingness to play the blueline and can put up points, he is also extremely responsible. He has the sense to read plays and get back in position, and is quick enough to do this successfully, even if there are scenarios where he falls a couple steps behind.

When in the zone, he manages to hold positioning, force players to the out side and successfully suppresses shots.

Next: Five best prospects who will play overseas in 18-19

He has been an extremely valuable defensemen in the past. This year, he will have the opportunity to step into a new, more demanding role, and there is no doubt that as time goes on he will one of the most vital parts of the Rangers defense.

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New York Rangers’ top five defensemen under age 25