Who has been the best Rangers Rookie?
 

Who has been the best Rangers Rookie?

With Only evaluation their rookie seasons and nothing afterwards who has had the best rookie season?

2011-12
Carl Hagelin, 6th round pick #168 overall:
61gp 14g 24a 38pts +22 ....and 3 games remaining.

As one of the NHL's fastest skaters, confirmed at the ALL-Star skills competition, He quickly rose from an AHL tryout to spending most of the season on the Rangers top line. He's solid in both ends and his speeeeeeed kills.


2010-11
Derek Stepan, 2nd round pick #51 overall
82gp 21g 24a 45pts +8

He burst onto the scene with an impressive camp and a hattrick in his first game. His never quit attitude and playing bigger then anyone expected when he was drafted, He helped ease the Rangers need for a #1 center and easily became an instant top6 forward, playing both center and wing.


2009-10
Michael Del Zotto, 1st round pick #20 overall
80gp 9g 28a 37pts -20

Oozing with confidence and coming off his 2nd stellar training camp, he forced management to keep him with his solid play through his first 10 games. Often rushing the puck up the ice and adding an offensive defenseman to the PP point, many of us were in awe as the heir apparent to the throne of Brian Leetch seemed to have, finally, arrived.


**Honorable mentions to McDonagh, Staal, and Sauer who all had solid rookie campaigns but none as stellar or impacting as the above three.**

I know his defense was unspectacular that season, but I have to go with Del Zotto.

I also have to go with DZ. Stepan and Hagelin have been pretty streaky, while besides DZ's poor defense, he's done what was needed from him the whole year.

They have all been great but I say Stepan, 2 very good yrs right off the bat.

DZ is great this yr and in his first he was good but D was blah. Last yr was terrible so not sure how people can give him the nod since he had a trip to the AHL

Hagelin has been fantastic this yr but give it to Stepan based on 2 good yrs

regardless future is bright!

The topic is only rookie seasons.. This year's Stepan, and this and last year's DZ has nothing to do with it.

Can't blame you. At such a young age, 19, few players are capable of being a blueliner in the NHL. Staal went back for a final year of Jr's and didn't come to the NHL until age 20. McDonagh required a start in Hartford to adjust to the pro game and made it at age 21. Girardi got a cup of tea at age 22 but really both he and Sauer did it at age 23. Erixon has gotten a cup of tea at 20 but will likely do it in his 21st year. McIlrath has already been sent back for a final year at Jr.'s and at best will probably make it after a full season in Hartford.

Point is to only compare rookie seasons. DZ's sophomore slump, future projects, etc. aren't intended to be part of the poll.


Exactly. Only rookie year because otherwise you can't compare the players watching each for 3, 2 and 1 years.

It's gotta be Del Zotto, hands down.

Honestly, his first season with the team, how many fans were comparing him with Leetch?

Half on NY thought it. Especially through the first 1/4 of the season. Kid was on fire. He slowed down after. 4g, 5a, 9tps in his first 10 games and 15pts in his first 21.

To stay on that pace would have given him more points than Drew Doughty and 3rd in blueliners to only Mike Green and Duncan Keith. All three were Norris finalists that year with Keith winning the trophy.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=526744

expectations compared to performance, i think hagelin wins. who knew he would have such a solid season?

I feel that Hagelin has had the biggest impact.

Dubinsky

I never expected him to achieve what he has. I figured we were looking at a Freddy Sjostrom part Deux or a Dominic Moore type player. But this kid has smarts and skill that are far and above both of those guys combined.

Emphasizing the OP focus on rookie season only, would seem to be MDZ had best individual stats.

Almost went with Hagelin, who has missed 1/4-1/3 of year before call up, and who has probably had a greater impact and better improved the play of linemates. However, if the focus is truly individual, close to all three, but Mike Dell Zotto at 19 gets the nod.

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I agree, Hagelin has been more impactful IMO

Look no further than Stu Bickel.

How do I vote? :help:

If I had to make a choice, I would say that Del Zotto had the best rookie season of all the players mentioned. While all of our players have really good futures to look forward to, I would say that Del Zotto is the one player that we can least afford to lose for an extended period of time because of his skill level offensively.

gotta go with Steps. i know right now Hags is playing better this season but Stepan is just a player you want because he will consistently post 50+ points a season. i don't think Hagelin will. Although i hope i'm wrong.

DZ, Stepan, Hagelin in that order. I'm in the minority obviously but I'm not terribly impressed with Hagelin. Sure he has speed but it seems like he doesn't have a clue what to do with it. His shot is mediocre and his creativity leaves something to be desired. His play on the cycle is pretty weak as well. His speed does open up a lot of room for Gaborik and Richards on the ice though. I do think there is a lot of potential from this kid. He just needs to mature a bit.

Voted Hagelin, but this is what I was thinking. Dubi fought his way up from being the fourth line center to playing with Jaromir Jagr. He had a very Callahan-like rookie year, where it seemed like he made an impact every time he hit the ice. Renney was not someone who was eager to play kids over vets, but Dubi managed to steal ice time from Gomez and Drury for large chunks of the season.


Tough call between Hags and MDZ, but I went with Hags for being more consistent all-around.

I went with Hags. Maybe because I didn't see him coming but he's been really impressive to me.

We can only hope Krieder is as good as some say he is...

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