The Holiday Break has arrived for most of the New York Rangers prospects so while it might seem a bit early, it is time for a review of what they have done so far. The season got off to a great start but as we reach the halfway point of the 2024-2025, some of the play has slowed down.
Overall the offense could be better as a couple of the key prospects missed time due to injury. But a case can be made that the prospect defensemen have played their position solidly on the defensive side.
If we are going to look at a mid-season MVP of the prospects, then we must talk about the prospect who has also been the biggest surprise and that is Raoul Boilard of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Boilard who was the Rangers fourth round selection in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft earns the honor in part because he is leading all the North American prospects in scoring with a 7-18-25.
Breaking down how Boilard earned his points: 0-2-2 in September, 2-8-10 in October, 3-6-9 in November, and 2-2-4 in three games in December. What stood out for Boilard is the longest he went without any points was two games which happened twice.
Of his seven goals, four came on the power play, and two were game winning goals. The Drakkar center also won 53.7% of his faceoffs which was the deciding factor in why he is our first half MVP.
For the second half, would like to see more goals from Boilard as he scored 22 last season so he is behind his pace from a season ago. A better goal-to-assist ratio is a sign of a complete player but to do that then Boilard needs to shoot the puck more.
Boilard had just two or fewer shots in 18 out of the 27 games that he played in. If you don't shoot, then you don't score. He should try to finish his season around 65 points with a 55% or better faceoff win percentage.
Superstar prospect Gabe Perreault didn't have a bad first half coming in second in prospect scoring with a 7-16-23. What was the difference was that towards the end of the first half, Perreault's offense started tailing off.
After going 1-2-3 against Providence on Nov. 19, Perreault went 1-6-7 over his next six games. Those numbers would be decent for 90% of those who play hockey, but Perreault is way better than 90% of those who play hockey.
What has been missing is watching the Rangers 2023 first round draft pick has been dominating games as he can do. It does sound strange that the player who is second overall in NCAA scoring but Boston College has been struggling on offense to the point where Perreault and linemate James Hagen were split off from Ryan Leonard who was the goal scorer on that line.
Boston College is struggling to score on the power play and that too falls on the shoulders of Gabe Perreault. Perreault is on his way to join the U.S. Under-20 team as they get ready to defend the gold medal they won last year.
If anything the key to anything Perreault does in the second half is going to start by how much rest he can get between the Under-20 tournament, the NCAA schedule, the Beanpot, the Hockey East playoffs, and the NCAA tournament.
It is quite possible that Perreault is being worn down by having so many depending on him whether it is Boston College or Team USA.
For me, the nice surprise was watching Brody Lamb of Minnesota who is having a bit of a breakout season in his junior season. Lamb is 10-7-17 in 17 games but that does not include the six power play goals, one shorthanded goal, and one game winner.
Considering that last season in 39 games, Lamb was 12-15-27 with four power play goals. Last year, Lamb didn't even crack the top 50 NCAA scorers, as of right now is 24th in the NCAA but there is more.
Lamb has been all over the lineup for Minnesota play on both forward spots on the top line, left side on the second, and all three forward spots on the third line. Toss in the fact that he also is used on both the power play and the penalty kill and Lamb is the best utility player in the NCAA.
And do not think for a second that the Rangers are not happy seeing Lamb used like this. This turns Lamb into a legit NHL prospect because the more spots you can play, the more valuable you become to the team.
For Lamb's second half, it is simple just keep doing what he is doing as Lamb is on a pace to go 23-16-39, not earth shattering but in college hockey that is a good season.
Others to Mention
Nathan Aspinall lost time after blocking a shot, the Flint General is 7-12-19 but on a last place team. Not going to pass judgement until we see how he recovers in the second half. But he is 6'5 and has more offense than Rempe and Edstrom combined.
Noah Laba suffered an injury to the lower body early in the season and has not been able to get untracked. Sitting at 1-9-10 in nine games, Laba has struggled on offense but thankfully is 55.3% on his faceoffs which is his backbone to his game.
The holiday break will hopefully give him a chance to heal, and the odds are good that the missed games just might be the push out the door that Chris Drury has been wanting.
Ty Henricks is a fourth line left wing as a freshman at Western Michigan. The Broncos are one of the best teams in the NCAA, so Henricks is paying his dues right now. He will benefit from this and be a better player down the road.
Zakary Karpa is the captain at Harvard, but he bounces from third to fourth line center. His father's skill was not passed down to the son and as a senior it is hard to view him as a legit prospect.