EJ Emery's production struggles have reached historic levels

EJ Emery has not had fun with the University of North Dakota this year. In terms of production, he's played 31 games and has an assist. That is a major red flag for the 2024 first-round pick of the New York Rangers. While the Blueshirts need more out of their premier prospect, his struggles have been noted across the fanbase. It caught the attention of a few, who looked at how poor his production has been and how it compares historically.

Unfortunately for Emery, his struggles are historically bad. He has the fewest points recorded by a first-round pick in an NCAA season. That is not good news for the young defenseman. It could shake his confidence if he can't put it from his mind, but the Rangers are generally not well-represented among the top members of this list. The Rangers drafted several of them, which should raise alarm bells regarding how they draft prospects.

Second on the list is Hugh Jessiman, who the Rangers drafted in the rich 2003 NHL entry draft. A New York, New York kid, he was given a chance by the Blueshirts 12th overall, and he responded by scoring a goal and an assist in 12 games for Dartmouth College in the 2004-05 season during the lockout. It wasn't a good look, and he eventually left the organization without playing for the Rangers. He'd subsequently play for the Florida Panthers but never an NHL-caliber player.

Number four on the list is Brady Skjei. Skjei ended up being a fine addition to the Rangers, but he only had a goal and two assists during the 36 games he played at the University of Minnesota in 2012-13. Skjei eventually became a substantial part of the Rangers core before being traded to Carolina, so this lack of production isn't a death sentence for EJ Emery's career, but he does need to improve.