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New York Rangers: Ranking the likelihood of moving top prospects

By Karly Redpath

KOSICE, SLOVAKIA - MAY 12: Adam Fox of the United States skates against France during the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Slovakia group A game between United States and France at Steel Arena on May 12, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
KOSICE, SLOVAKIA - MAY 12: Adam Fox of the United States skates against France during the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Slovakia group A game between United States and France at Steel Arena on May 12, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Libor Hajek #43 of the New York Rangers walks to the ice before his making his NHL Debut against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Libor Hajek #43 of the New York Rangers walks to the ice before his making his NHL Debut against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Additional prospects

In the past three seasons, the Rangers have picked up a handful more of talented young prospects via trade for roster players.

Defenseman Libor Hajek came to the Rangers in the trade for Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller. They grabbed defenseman Yegor Rykov at the deadline in a trade with New Jersey for Michael Grabner. Ryan Lindgren came over from Boston in the Rick Nash deal. Most recently, Jeff Gorton made a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes for one of their top defensive prospects, Adam Fox.

Hajek played in five games for the Rangers last season and scored one goal in his time on professional ice. On top of this, he looked confident playing in his position and added value in his short time in the league (upon suffering a separated shoulder in a game against the Devils on March 9).

Rykov hit career-highs in games played (53), assists (12), and points (14) during the 2017-18 season. Additionally, he led all KHL players younger than 21-years-old in games played during the season, and he also led all defensemen younger than 21 in assists and points.

Lindgren had two stints with the Rangers, appearing in five games. He had a solid first professional season in Hartford.

Fox is perhaps the most exciting of the bunch. The 21-year-old played at Harvard University and recorded nine goals and 39 assists for 48 points. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and was also named First Team All-American. Fox was selected to play for Team USA at the World Championships in Bratislava & Kosice, Slovakia and recorded one assist in eight games.

The Rangers also had picked up Julius Bergman in the trade for Adam MqQuaid. He played in 10 games for Hartford last year and recorded two points, but the 23-year-old defenseman has decided to head back to Sweden and continue his development with Frolunda.

It is great to have a plethora of players, but something’s got to give.

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