Will a New York Rangers rookie break a 31-year Calder Trophy drought?
It’s no secret that the New York Rangers’ young core is talented, but how each of the following young stars fare in their first season is still to be seen.
In 1989, New York defenseman Brian Leetch took home the coveted Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the leagues best rookie. Now, as an advisor to the team, he will have the luxury of seeing unprecedented youthful talent take the Madison Square Garden ice.
There are three names that are expected to headline New York’s rookie class this year: Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, and Adam Fox.
Despite the expectations that the trio will make the team, we have to remember that this is a crowded roster and there is a legitimate chance of that they might not crack a roster spot or may see some time in Hartford.
Despite that reality, let’s see where each player ranks in his chances of having a breakout season, and possibly doing what hasn’t been done in over three decades by a New York Ranger.
Kaapo Kakko, the favorite
There isn’t much to be said about the second overall pick that hasn’t been stated before. This “kid” is a generational talent.
His 38 points in 45 games for TPS Turku in the Finnish men’s league, was astounding. As a 17-year old playing among men, he more than held his own. He also lit up the international scene by becoming the first player to win gold in the U18, World Junior, and Men’s World Championships before being drafted.
Kaapo Kakko.
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 16, 2019
That's it. That's the tweet. #FINDEN #IIHFWorlds @leijonat
Stay up to the minute with game action on the IIHF App:
https://t.co/PDQtNtuJxc
▶️ https://t.co/yImldTg3TU pic.twitter.com/Q6HId5C0FC
His numbers say a lot, but his physical and mental attributes are what makes him an elite player. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 190 pounds, he has the size to make an immediate impact.
The Finnish 18-year old is a confident young man and that was shown in his NHL Draft interview in which he said, “I’m good in the offensive zone, I can score and create chances, and am good with the puck. I guess those are my strengths. Hopefully I’m ready for the NHL.”
And Kakko himself isn’t the only one praising his skill. Rangers President John Davidson “couldn’t be more excited about where we are sitting right now,” and GM Jeff Gorton felt as if selecting Kakko made them the true winners of the draft.
If Kakko, though, would like to capture the hardware this year with the Calder Trophy, a career season would likely be needed. The last four forwards to win the Trophy have average over 72 points per season.
Out of all the Ranger prospects, Kaapo Kakko has the skill to be the next NHL superstar. The question is if it happens, how long will it take?
Vitali Kravtsov, the dark horse
Kravtsov’s selection in the 2018 Draft puzzled many Rangers fans, but the ninth overall selection has managed to turn that confusion into excitement. The 19 year old is a powerful, yet graceful winger with sky-high potential. Similarly to Kakko, Kravtsov has NHL-ready size, strength, and a clear confidence.
“I feel like I’m a smart player and was able to overcome the fear of making mistakes playing a full season in the KHL. I think that will translate well over to any league in the future. I got the experience against big, strong men,” said Kravtsov in an interview with NHL.com.
He put up decent numbers in his pre-draft season, but really made his mark in the playoffs, registering 11 points in 16 games. It’s one reason why Kravtsov was ranked the top prospect in the world by Craig Button of TSN in January.
Kravtsov got off to a hot start this past season, registering 17 points in 32 games, establishing himself as a dynamic playmaker as a teenager.
His eye-catching statistics as a teenager were comparable to those of current NHL stars Vladimir Tarasenko, Evgeny Kuznetzov, and current Ranger Artemi Panarin.
Even with all these great stats, it was mind-blowing to many when Kravtsov stepped onto the ice at this year’s developmental camp. Not only did the young Russian shine on the ice, making great play after great play, but his off the ice skills were massively impressive.
Good Friday morning to this pass by @NYRangers prospect @kravtsov only pic.twitter.com/VopKNkJCxC
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 28, 2019
As Jeff Gorton stated it, ” “He’s an impressive young man, on and off the ice, and I think today you could see that,” Gorton said. “He obviously came here to show you guys he could speak English and he wanted to speak to you all in English – I think that says a lot about who he is, and where he’s going.”
Can Vitali Kravtsov win the Calder? The short answer is maybe. The Russian winger is skillful, dynamic, and will certainly make his presence felt on Broadway.
Adam Fox, the one we may need to wait on
The Long Island native, after three years of uncertainty, finally found out that his future will be with the team he rooted for as a child when he was dealt to the Blueshirts for two picks this April. He later signed a 3-year Entry Level Contract.
From an early age, Fox was known to be special, but no one would have predicted that the Jericho, New York product would become an elite, prized prospect.
This past season, he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player and was a first-team All American.
He recorded 48 points in 33 games and led the NCAA in points per game. He is the first defenseman to lead the nation in power play goals in over 10 years.
Late in the season, Harvard coach Ted Donato told the Boston Herald about what Fox meant to the program.
“I think a true mark of a great player is that they make others around them better. I think Adam really typifies that unique style of guy,” Donato said. “He plays with poise and composure. It filters right through the rest of the team. He really has that sixth sense of what’s going on out there. He just reminds me of some of the great players that I was fortunate to play with and coach both at Harvard and beyond.
With the Rangers’ recent buyout of Kevin Shattenkirk, it is evident that the front office believes that Fox, being an offensive minded right-handed defenseman, can become a full-time NHL defenseman who can rack up points while quarterbacking the power play.
The reason I am reluctant to think of him as a serious Calder contender is due to his high risk play. In college, he was able to move freely with the puck and find the open areas, but now, being an undersized rookie, he will have to adjust to a faster, more physical play.
Fox very well may explode for numbers similar to those in his career season with Harvard; or come close to it.
Can the high-flying d-man score at the same level he did at Harvard? Expectations may be high, but we won’t know until he steps on NHL ice.
It’s no wonder why the Rangers have been recognized as having the deepest prospect pipeline, possessing four of the top 50 ranked prospects. This rebuild is quickly winding down and it will surprise no one if Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, or Adam Fox will bring home the first Calder Trophy to Madison Square Garden in years.
light. More. How crazy is that Kevin Hayes contract?