Gone are the days when the best talent only came from Canada. The #1 overall pick the last three years were born in the USA, Switzerland, and Sweden, respectively. Now more than ever elite talent is coming up from all around the world and it’s imperative for each team’s scouting department to keep a close eye on all the best developmental leagues.
As it stands the Rangers are a fairly balanced team. On their current roster they boast eight players from the NCAA, five from the SHL, five from the OHL, two from the WHL, and one each from the KHL, SM-liiga, and Czech Extraliiga.
Using current players to determine the success of a developmental league on a prospect is key in planning for the future. Many of the Rangers aren’t far removed from their former leagues, as the team currently has an average age of 26.2. Every player has their own timeline of development, but what matters is how you perform once you’re in the NHL full-time.
Although they’re in a rebuilding phase, this group is still full of talented leaders, promising prospects and experienced veterans. The question is, which developmental league has produced the best?