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New York Rangers: Prospect Pyramid at the start of 2019

By David Bruce

VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 30: Vitali Kravtsov #14 of Russia celebrates with teammates Dmitri Samorukov #5 and Alexander Romanov #26 after scoring a goal against Switzerland in Group A hockey action of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship action on December, 30, 2018 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 30: Vitali Kravtsov #14 of Russia celebrates with teammates Dmitri Samorukov #5 and Alexander Romanov #26 after scoring a goal against Switzerland in Group A hockey action of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship action on December, 30, 2018 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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VANCOUVER , BC – JANUARY 4: Vitali Kravtsov #14 of Russia skates against the United States during a semi-final game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at Rogers Arena on January 4, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER , BC – JANUARY 4: Vitali Kravtsov #14 of Russia skates against the United States during a semi-final game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at Rogers Arena on January 4, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /

Top Tier

The top tier of the Rangers prospect pool includes Vitali Kravtsov, the Rangers first round pick in 2018, as well as Filip Chytil. Chytil was included in this for having played less than a full season, as well as their state of being recent draft picks.

The top tier includes players that have a ceiling high enough that they are almost certain guarantees to be top six forwards or top four defensemen in the NHL. Furthermore, their skill level and draft status would imply that anything less than that would be missing their developmental ceiling.

Vitali Kravtsov’s KHL numbers as a teenager playing against men would imply a smooth transition to the NHL is in store for the young Russian. He has proven an ability to play against men at a high level, and has the skill and physicality to make his mark in North America. Filip Chytil has already proven that he can compete in both the NHL and AHL, and was an easy choice for the top tier.

An area that the Rangers have lacked in recent years in terms of prospects has been true star potential. For example, through the last few years, the Maple Leafs top tier may have included Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Timothy Liljegren. Kravtsov and Chytil are the closest things to being that for the Rangers, though.

This tier could grow in quality after this season ends, but the reality is that many other rebuilders, quality wise, have had a tier higher than the Rangers top. Of course, this is a byproduct of being bad enough to gain a top three draft pick. With some luck, the Rangers could find themselves there this summer.

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