New York Rangers News: Rykov signs and World Championship latest

World Championships latest

Here is an update on the prospects and Rangers at the IIHF World Championships in Slovakia.

Jack Hughes – Hughes finally got on the scoreboard, notching the primary assist on a first period goal by potential Rangers linemate Chris Kreider in Saturday’s 7-1 win over Denmark. Hughes made a very nice backhand pass to Kreider for the goal.  If you want to see the pass and goal, it is :52 seconds into the highlights. below.

Hughes played 12:33 and had two shots on goal.

Kaapo Kakko – Kakko had a goal and an assist on Thursday in Finland’s 3-1 win over Denmark and was held scoreless in Friday’s 5-0 win over Great Britain.  Kakko now has six goals, one behind leader Anthony Mantha and tied with Yevgeni Dadonov and Alex DeBrincat.

Chris Kreider – Kreider has three goals and an assist playing on the top line for Team USA.  He’s a plus four on the tournament.  He scored his third goal on Saturday on an assist from Jack Hughes.

Brady Skjei – Skjei has one goal in his five games, but is a plus five and is playing top defense pair minutes.

Adam Fox – The Rangers prospect is playing on the third defense pair and has one assist in five games.

Filip Chytil –  Chytil has a  goal and an assist in four games.  He sat out the Czech Republic 6-3 win over Latvia on Thursday, but returned to the lineup and got an assist in their 8-0 win over Italy.

Henrik Lundqvist – Lundqvist has started four of Sweden’s five games.  He is 3-1 with one shutout. He has a 2.02 GAA and a save percentage of .911. Lundqvist has been playing well, but the real test will be in the playoff round when the competition is much stronger.

Alexander Georgiev – Georgiev has started one game and had a shutout, but he is second fiddle on Team Russia  to Andrei Vasilevski and it is doubtful he will see any more action unless Vasilevski falters.  Vasilevski has a 0.75 GAA and a .967 save percentage so that is not lilkely.

The playoff round begins on Thursday and all of the teams with Ranger players will make that phase of the competition.  There is some really soft competition in the first round. Italy has lost all six of their games so far while being outscored 45 to 1.  Great Britain is also 0-6 and have allowed 38 goals while scoring five.