Blue Line Station
Fansided

New York Rangers: Ranking the top five rookies who could make the team

By William Borowski

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 26: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers skates against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on March 26, 2018 in New York City. The Capitals defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 26: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers skates against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on March 26, 2018 in New York City. The Capitals defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 29: New York Rangers Right Wing Ty Ronning (59) 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)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 29: New York Rangers Right Wing Ty Ronning (59) 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: Ty Ronning

Age: 20 (21 in Oct.), 5-foot-9, 172 lbs, right-handed right wing, 63G/23A in 73GP.  (WHL, 70GP) (AHL, 3GP)

Ty Ronning was drafted by the Rangers in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The Vancouver Giants leading scorer had a historic season this year in the Western Hockey League notching 63 goals in 70 games.

Ronning is very deceptive when he skates and is incredibly fun to watch with the puck. He never gives up on a play and forces the opposition to rush. Ronning’s shot is probably his best asset in front of his work ethic and hockey sense.

The only thing he truly lacks is size but from what we’ve seen through players around the league such as Mats Zuccarello (5-foot-7, 179 lbs), Johnny Gaudreau (5-foot-9 157 lbs), and Brad Marchand (5-foot-9 181 lbs) who are all around Ronning’s build, that doesn’t really matter as long as everything else checks out.

Ronning’s mental toughness was tested before the 14-15 season in which he broke his collarbone during the preseason and was forced to watch from the sidelines while his team played the season through. He had returned late and his point totals were disappointing. Just two points in 24 games (one goal and one assist).

How did he bounce back?

In the 2015-2016 season, he scored 31 goals and tallied 28 assists in 67 games.

Ty Ronning could be the dark horse in cracking the 4th line this year and working his way up to the higher lines in the coming years. His wrist shot in incredibly underrated and he can use his speed and hockey sense to find open areas when he does not have the puck in his possession.

Home/Analysis