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New York Rangers’ top five defensemen under age 25

By Karly Redpath

HERNING, DENMARK - MAY 11: Neal Pionk of United States skates against Korea during the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship group stage game between United States and Korea at Jyske Bank Boxen on May 11, 2018 in Herning, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
HERNING, DENMARK - MAY 11: Neal Pionk of United States skates against Korea during the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship group stage game between United States and Korea at Jyske Bank Boxen on May 11, 2018 in Herning, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /
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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)
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.

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