The Rangers are near contender status, but what will they look like in three years?

The prospects

In the words of team president John Davidson, “OH, baby!” The New York Rangers forward prospect school is something special.

There are four forwards who will be key pieces of the new era in the Big Apple: Vitali Kravtsov, Karl Henriksson, Lauri Pajuniemi, and Morgan Barron.

Vitali, Vitali, Vitali. Thank God Jeff Gorton came to rescue you from Russia. For those who don’t know, after failing to make the main roster out of camp, he returned back to Russia after being a healthy scratch in Hartford. Once back in the KHL, due to disciplinary reasons and poor play, the 2018 9th overall pick was demoted to the VHL. Now, back with Hartford, and already knotting a goal and an assist, he seems back on the right path-hopefully correcting the “non-negotiables” stated by coach Davin Quinn. The talent is there, and he will certainly be a huge piece of the Rangers for a very long time, but he needs to mature on and off the ice.

Taken 58th overall in this past year’s draft, Karl Henriksson is starting to open some eyes. Standing at only 5’9″ with a heavy focus on making plays in the offensive zone, Henriksson’s game is comparable to the likes of Jack Hughes. No, that does not mean the teenage Swede is as good as the #1 overall pick but he does have a ton of upside. So far this season, he has registered 23 points in 17 games for Frolunda HC’s junior team and is set to center Sweden’s second line in the upcoming World Junior Championship.

Alright, this next guy was a sixth round draft two years pick but he has been performing like a first round selection. Morgan Barron, who now captains Cornell, has averaged over a point per game with the Big Red the past two seasons. Even better, he is the ultimate two-way forward, being recognized as a top three defensive player last season and looks poised to do it again. His 6’2″ frame and ability to play both ends of the ice definitely makes him look like he has a future in the big leagues.

Speaking about coming out of nowhere, it’s time to talk about Kaapo Kakko’s former teammate Lauri Pajuniemi. Wow. That is the word I think I have to use to describe this kid’s season with Lukko in the Finnish Liiga. . Another late round draft pick, his current numbers are staggering. Of course, all the buzz surrounding him has been because of his goal scoring. He ranks second in the whole league in goals, first in players U20, and is on pace to set the U20 goals record. The 20-year-old is hitting the back of the net at a record pace. Hopefully, Pajuniemi’s goal scoring ability will translate to the NHL when he does arrive in North America.

It’s surely going to be a wild ride in the New York Rangers organization, but one that looks to have much promise. Now, I ask you to remain by the Rangers side as they undertake this exciting new chapter filled with promise and change.

All in all, there is a process to all of this. These kids need to be signed, developed, and then be successful NHL’ers. If this past year has shown anything, the next three years will bring upon rising stars in the Rangers organization.

Will it take some time for the New York Rangers to be contenders? For sure. But despite that fact, the future is bright, and the Blueshirts, in three to four years, will be a team to be reckon with.