Welcome to the 2014 edition of “Top Shelf Prospects”. As we go through the Summer of 2014 I will be featuring a team-by-team look at the top prospects in the NHL. I will go team by team through the NHL bringing you a look at each Teams Top Prospects. I will be following the order of the first round of the NHL draft (as if there were no traded draft picks) and you can find all the articles here. Since we had an extensive NHL Draft preview, I will not be reviewing the players who were drafted in the 2014 draft, as there have been no games since then, and my reports on them will not have changed. What I will be doing is linking you to those articles, as well as taking a look at prospects that were acquired before this year’s draft; their progress, and their chances of making the 2014-15 roster of the NHL team in question. I will also bring you one sleeper pick – a player who was either drafted in the 4th-round or later, or was an undrafted free agent signing who I pick as my darkhorse to make the NHL. For those wondering, the cut-off for what is or isn’t a prospect is typically about 50 NHL games played (including playoffs) or being 25 years old. These are not hard or fast rules though, and I may make some exceptions depending on the circumstances.

The New York Rangers had a slow start in 2013-14 as they played their first nine games on the road while renovations were going on at Madison Square Garden. By January though, they found their game and were one of the hottest teams in the NHL in the second half of the year. In the playoffs they would continue their hot play, all the way to an Eastern Conference Championship. Unfortunately the team would fall in the Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Kings in five hard fought games.

The Off-Season has brought some changes in New York. The Rangers used their second amnesty buyout on centre Brad Richards, while forwards Benoit Pouliot and Brian Boyle left via free agency, and Derek Dorsett was traded to Vancouver. Meanwhile, defenceman Anton Stralman joined Boyle in Tampa Bay and Raphael Diaz is an unsigned, unrestricted free agent. Coming in are free agent signings Dan Boyle and Mike Kostka on the blueline, and Lee Stempniak, Tanner Glass, and Matthew Lombardi up front. The Rangers also got a major coup when they signed former Blackhawks first rounder Kevin Hayes out of Boston College last week.

2014 Draft Picks Reviewed by LWOS: Keegan Iverson, 85th overall

Graduations: Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller,

Top New York Rangers Prospects

Top Prospect Brady Skjei, Defence

Born Mar 26 1994 — Lakeville, MN

Height 6.03 — Weight 206 — Shoots Left

Drafted by New York Rangers in the 1st round, 28th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Brady Skjei had a tough freshman year at the University of Minnesota in 2012-13, but was a lot better as a sophomore. He was a key part of the Golden Gophers team that reached the National Championship game, before falling to Union. He also was part of the US team at the World Juniors.

Skjei is a very good skater. He possesses excellent edgework and agility for a big man. He has very good mobility, balance, and makes quick pivots. Skjei has above average speed and can use it to join the rush, though he really picks his spots with this. His backwards skating isn’t quite at the same level as his forwards movement, though it is still above average. He is good defending against the rush as a result.

Offensively Skjei plays a very smart game. He is an good passer, both in starting the rush and from the point, and seems to always make the safe play with the puck. That said, he isn’t a huge point producer as he also isn’t likely to attempt the more difficult and risky dynamic offensive plays, opting for the simple one and allowing his forwards to do the work. As mentioned he will join the rush and will also pinch in from the blueline to make a play, but really picks his spots in these aspects. Skjei’s slapshot needs work and is below average when compared top offensive prospects on the blueline. There is some offence here, but don’t expect a huge producer, more of a two-way player.

Defensively Skjei uses good positioning, hockey sense and skating to keep attackers to the outside. He also is pretty effective at keeping the crease clear and at picking up loose pucks. He uses his size to limit passes and chances against, and to battle for loose pucks, but he isn’t a big hitter. Instead he plays a more patient game, allowing the play to come to him. Skjei possess the ideal height that NHL teams always seem to look for among defencemen. He is listed at 6’3″ and may still be growing. By adding over 20 lbs since his draft year, Skjei has really made himself more effective in the corners.

Skjei likely heads back to the Gophers for his junior season this fall. Another strong season may persuade the Rangers to give him his ELC early, and to get him into the AHL (or NHL) come March 2015. He’s got some developing to do, but Skjei could become a solid two-way top 4 defenceman in the NHL.

#2 Prospect: Kevin Hayes, Right Wing

I did a full scouting report on Hayes after the Rangers signed him. You can find that article here. I will be adding a #4 prospect to this list as a result.

#3 Prospect: Jesper Fast, Right Wing

Born Dec 2 1991 — Nassjo, Sweden

Height 6.00 — Weight 176 – Shoots Right

Drafted by New York Rangers in the 6th round, 157th overall at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft

Jesper Fast had his first full season in North America this year. He started the season in the NHL, but was sent back down to the minors. After 17 goals and 34 points in 48 AHL games, he got a second chance in the NHL to end the year but was again unable to score. Overall he was held pointless in 11 NHL games. In the playoffs he did pick up his first point, one assist in 3 games.

Fast lives up to his name with good skating ability. He has a strong first step, very good acceleration and solid top end speed. Add to that great agility, and strong cuts, and he is able to elude defenders. He is strong on his feet and very well balanced, allowing him to fight off defenders and get to the net. He is also very good in board battles.

Fast uses his footspeed to get in quickly on the forecheck, and creates his offense this way rather than through fancy plays with the puck. He is good at controlling the puck down low, and keeps possession through making the safe, simple passes. He is willing to wait til the last possible second and take a hit if it means he will be able to make a better play. Fast has a high hockey IQ and understands how to get open and provide a good outlet for his teammates when they get in trouble. Fast has an accurate wrist shot and decent release.

Fast is a two way player who uses his grit and board work to help his defence on the backcheck. He shows relentless puck pursuit on the ice, and creates turnovers through good old fashioned hard work.

Fast will be in a battle with Hayes, and Stempniak for the spot on the Rangers third line that was vacated by Benoit Pouliot’s departure for Edmonton. Still it will be stiff competition, and its possible that Fast spends another year in the AHL and as one of the Rangers first go-to callups when injuries hit.

#4 Prospect: Dylan McIlrath, Defence

Born Apr 20 1992 — Winnipeg, MAN

Height 6.05 — Weight 216 — Shoots Right

Drafted by New York Rangers in the 1st round, 10th overall at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft

McIlrath was a surprise selection at 10th overall in the 2010 draft. He was always a long-term project, even when drafted, and now it seems that after four years, the Rangers, and their fans are hoping to see the results of that project at the NHL level. McIlrath got in his first 2 NHL games last season and finished up his second year with the Connecticut Whale.

McIlrath has outstanding size and a mean streak to match. He is a physical presence on the ice, and opposing forwards must always keep their heads up if skating down his end of the ice. He is always looking to dish out a huge hit. He is also extremely strong and powerful. He keeps the crease clear, and wins the majority of his one on one battles on the boards. He is also a willing fighter, who has won the majority of his fights at the WHL level.

Offensively, McIlrath makes a solid first pass and starts the transition game well. In the offensive zone he rushes plays, and doesn’t seem to want to handle the puck at the blue line, so you see him make a lot of safe passes to an open forward on the perimeter or dumps into the corner. While his point shot is decent, his lack of mobility and inability to open up passing and shooting lanes likely means that he won’t be a big time scorer at the NHL level.

McIlrath has spent the last four years working on his skating, and while its improved to the point that you can say its good for a player his size, the caveat of “for his size” is definitely necessary. His top end speed and acceleration are decent, but nothing special. He has improved his pivots greatly but they are still a bit below average, and his agility is a weak point. McIlrath can be victimized by forwards with speed and offensive creativity. He also gets himself out of position looking for the big hit far too often, and if he misses, he’s toast. Another issue is that McIlrath can be undisciplined and takes too many penalties. In terms of positives his long reach helps him to cut down passing lanes, and he is a willing shot blocker.

McIlrath looks like he’s getting close to NHL ready, but there are still some serious red flags in his game. I, for one, am not convinced he will be more than a 3rd pairing defender at the NHL level, but he will bring toughness to the back end. I’m not sure if this is what the Rangers had in mind when he was picked 10th overall in 2010, but we can’t go back on that now.

Super Sleeper: Ryan Graves, D

Born May 21 1995 — Yarmouth, NS

Height 6.04 — Weight 225 — Shoots Left

Drafted by New York Rangers in the 4th round, 110th overall at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft

A mid-season trade from Charlottetown to Val D’Or really seemed to help Graves as he became a key defender for the Foreurs in their run to the QMJHL championship. He seemed to really improve defensively with his new club, becoming a true shut down defender, while also adding some extra offence.

Blessed with tremendous size, Ryan Graves is a strong defensive defenceman. He is very mobile, and uses decent speed, good edgework and strong pivots to get himself into good positions to block shots, and cut down passing lanes in the defensive zone. He’s also been willing to fight when necessary and has done well in this department the past two years. I would like to see a bit more of a mean streak along the boards and a few more big hit from him though given that size.

Offensively, there isn’t a lot there from Graves though he does have a good breakout pass and a hard shot. He just doesn’t seem to have the puck poise to be a big time offensive contributor and instead decides to play a stay at home defensive game.

An off-season trade means that Graves is on the move again, joining the Quebec Remparts as they gear up for another run at a QMJHL Title.

The Rangers system is lacking depth at this point. This is a team that has moved prospects and picks in recent years to acquire players like Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis, and others; and you had to know that eventually it would catch up to them. Up front Danny Kristo will battle Fast and Hayes for the third line spot that is open, but must make an impression soon. Ryan Haggerty is expected to make the jump to the AHL after a good junior year at RPI. Meanwhile prospects like Cristoval Nieves, and Adam Tambellini have struggled to put up points in the NCAA, though Tambellini had a decent year in the WHL after jumping. The best forward prospect after Fast might be Anthony Duclair who had a 50 goal 99 point season in the QMJHL. He is undersized, but a real speedster. Another talented forward, Pavel Buchnevich will spend another year in Russia, at least. Swedish centre Oscar Lindberg spent his first year in the AHL, and projects as more of two-way player. On defence, Conor Allen is reaching make it or break it age, and looked decent in a short stint with the Rangers last year. There isn’t much else there though other than projects. The goaltending also lacks a high end prospect. Overall there are no blue chip players in the system, and depth isn’t bad up front, but the blue line and goaltending need help. The Rangers must find a way to restock the cupboards soon, but grabbing Hayes was a good first step.

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