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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) /
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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)
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

Age: 20, 6-foot-2 203 lbs, left-handed defenseman, 12G/27A in 58GP with Saskatoon (WHL, 33GP) and Regina (WHL, 25GP)

Libor Hajek was acquired by the Rangers in a last-minute trade deadline deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The deal included Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to the Lightning for Hajek, Brett Howden, and Vladislav Namestnikov along with Tampa Bay’s 2018 1st rounder and a conditional 1st rounder in 2019.

He played with the Czech Republic in January at the U20 World Junior Championship this year and logged a ton of minutes (around 23 minutes per game). He was relied on heavily against stacked teams like Canada and USA. And he even logged around 31 minutes in the quarter-final against Finland.

Hajek might possibly be the most NHL-ready defensive prospect that the New York Rangers have in their prospect pool. His positioning is excellent and his poise with the puck is fantastic. He’s very much a puck moving defender but will step up and play the offensive side of the game if he determines it’s a good choice.

Hajek’s shot isn’t overpowering but it’s accurate. His skating could use some work but that’s something that will come with the experience of playing in the NHL. There really isn’t any incredible holes in his game and that’ll impress Rangers coaches and management. It might be enough to put him on the last pairing to start the year.

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