I'm kinda surprised to see Erixon ranked ahead of Kreider. Not to say Erixon isn't talented, but he really has no calling card. He's not an elite skater/athlete, he's not a PP specialist with a big shot, and he's certainly not a physical beast back there. He may very well have better instincts than Kreider, but CK is a bigger and faster dude with a wicked wrist shot.
Erixon is good at everything. His skating is VERY good and he possesses a VERY good shot and one-timer.
Physically, he needs to develop but doesn't that make his performances so far only that much more impressive?
Criminally underrated.
Also, for the people wondering why we are 13th:
Every year we ask why we are so much lower than we expect to be. The reason is because we have a HUGE weakness in our prospect pool. Goalie. The Rangers have 0 true NHL goalie prospects in their entire system. It's not a big deal because Hank is 29 but it is still a weakness that many teams don't have.
Erixon is good at everything. His skating is VERY good and he possesses a VERY good shot and one-timer.
Physically, he needs to develop but doesn't that make his performances so far only that much more impressive?
Criminally underrated.
Also, for the people wondering why we are 13th:
Every year we ask why we are so much lower than we expect to be. The reason is because we have a HUGE weakness in our prospect pool. Goalie. The Rangers have 0 true NHL goalie prospects in their entire system. It's not a big deal because Hank is 29 but it is still a weakness that many teams don't have.
As history has shown you get little value for trading goalie prospects. So I'm fine with us having basically nothing in the pipeline in goal. Any guy we have in the system now has just about zero chance of ever being the starting goalie for the Rangers. So what's the point in spending a lot of resources to find and cultivate one or more? I'll take my chances that Hank stays healthy for another 7 years. We can start thinking about his replacement in 3 or 4. If something catastrophic happens tomorrow we're pretty much screwed regardless, and we have other assets we can move to get a starting goalie. I hate to even think about that.
Every year we ask why we are so much lower than we expect to be. The reason is because we have a HUGE weakness in our prospect pool. Goalie. The Rangers have 0 true NHL goalie prospects in their entire system. It's not a big deal because Hank is 29 but it is still a weakness that many teams don't have.
As history has shown you get little value for trading goalie prospects. So I'm fine with us having basically nothing in the pipeline in goal. Any guy we have in the system now has just about zero chance of ever being the starting goalie for the Rangers. So what's the point in spending a lot of resources to find and cultivate one or more? I'll take my chances that Hank stays healthy for another 7 years. We can start thinking about his replacement in 3 or 4. If something catastrophic happens tomorrow we're pretty much screwed regardless, and we have other assets we can move to get a starting goalie. I hate to even think about that.
Right now there's practically a surplus of starting goalies in the league. If Hank were to go down it would be easy enough to get a mediocre starter to split time with Biron. Still, I shudder at the thought.
Erixon is good at everything. His skating is VERY good and he possesses a VERY good shot and one-timer.
Physically, he needs to develop but doesn't that make his performances so far only that much more impressive?
Criminally underrated.
Also, for the people wondering why we are 13th:
I agree, Erixon is definitely underrated. That's actually one reason why I'm glad we didn't trade him for Nash. The only weakness he has right now is his strength. Everything else is there. He's not amazing at any one single thing, but he does everything well.
I'm telling you right now... Howson is going to look like a total fool in 1-2 years. Erixon has the potential to turn into a #1 d-man. And even if he doesn't, I think at worst he'll be a top 4 who will be a staple on the PP
Rangers need to pursue Frolunda starting goaltender Frederik Anderson. His rights are currently with the Hurricanes.
21 years of age out of Denmark, runs a .942, 1.62 in the SEL, comparable to Lundqvist's numbers at that age.
Will likely get a chance to see him represent Denmark at the world championships come spring.
NYR should look for goaltenders out of Europe, not the draft.
makes sense from our standpoint but for him why would he sign here to be the backup if another team gives him a better change to actually play...guess it depends on when he'd plan to come over
makes sense from our standpoint but for him why would he sign here to be the backup if another team gives him a better change to actually play...guess it depends on when he'd plan to come over
Cam Ward id 27 and is 3 years younger than Henrik.
He comes here he gets to play 20 games a season as a backup to Henrik to prove himself, and if he wants to bolt later for starter money that is his call.
Obviously my point is going to be that anyone we draft now who end up being a starter will probably want out before Henrik retires.
We should draft Subban this year and let him finish Junior and play in all the tournaments and World Championships and then the AHL for 2 seasons and then back Hank up for 2-3 seasons whereupon eventually they split the load and then when he is great...we trade Hank to some other team that need a goalie to win a Cup . He still would be young and he should be well mentored by Henrik . In 6 years time...we probably will have a Swedish team playing in the or against the NHL and Hank can play with them ! Sounds crazy...but you never know what the Future holds !
We should draft Subban this year and let him finish Junior and play in all the tournaments and World Championships and then the AHL for 2 seasons and then back Hank up for 2-3 seasons whereupon eventually they split the load and then when he is great...we trade Hank to some other team that need a goalie to win a Cup . He still would be young and he should be well mentored by Henrik . In 6 years time...we probably will have a Swedish team playing in the or against the NHL and Hank can play with them ! Sounds crazy...but you never know what the Future holds !
He also could restock your team with a couple of gems when the time comes . He could be rented out for a playoff run at a Cup for somebody else if he was going to be a UFA and then come back and resign with us ...win win . Chances are he will have a no move clause and he won't be heading anywhere but back to Europe when he gets tired of it all .
He also could restock your team with a couple of gems when the time comes . He could be rented out for a playoff run at a Cup for somebody else if he was going to be a UFA and then come back and resign with us ...win win . Chances are he will have a no move clause and he won't be heading anywhere but back to Europe when he gets tired of it all .
He also could restock your team with a couple of gems when the time comes . He could be rented out for a playoff run at a Cup for somebody else if he was going to be a UFA and then come back and resign with us ...win win . Chances are he will have a no move clause and he won't be heading anywhere but back to Europe when he gets tired of it all .
Considering your username, I'm a little surprised to see you advocating for eventually trading away someone who should be a career Ranger.
I agree, Erixon is definitely underrated. That's actually one reason why I'm glad we didn't trade him for Nash. The only weakness he has right now is his strength. Everything else is there. He's not amazing at any one single thing, but he does everything well.
I'm telling you right now... Howson is going to look like a total fool in 1-2 years. Erixon has the potential to turn into a #1 d-man. And even if he doesn't, I think at worst he'll be a top 4 who will be a staple on the PP
Erixon IMO has the potential to become a Kris Letang type D-man once he improves his strength. He won't be great at everything, but like Letang, will be a good all around D-man.
anyone know anything about Jeremy Welsh out of Union college, was reading the top collegiate free agents on the main boards before and the article said the rangers have interest in signing him. just wondering if anyone knows of the kid and has heard anything about the rangers interest.
I didn't want to start it's own thread, and not exactly sure where I should put it, so I decided to put it here!
An article on the main page is about the top college hockey non-drafted free agents and the NHL teams that may be interested. The article states that the Rangers have bene watching Jeremy Welsh from Union College. Pretty big guy at 6'3" 210lbs. Has 22 goals and 35 points as a junior in the ECAC. He plays center and LW and has a 60% faceoff winning percentage. Here is the description from the article:
"Welsh is a player that has the ability to dominant a game. He has size (6'3, 210 lbs); a pro-style shot, great net presence, and can finish plays exceedingly well. And it is those attributes that have gotten the attention of NHL teams. What makes Welsh so dangerous is his ability to capitalize on rebounds and deflections, where many of his goals have been scored. He utilizes his size, strength and reach to great advantage, particularly in tight areas."
Analysis / Comparision, please. Because maybe the current crop is somewhat lighter in high-end talent I just don't remember what prospects the Rangers had three years ago that would make them significantly better.
Objectively, we don't have the depth we had a couple years. We still have a few good guys on top, but beyond the top 7-8, it is mostly crap with potential to become no more than a marginal NHLer, and more likely never seeing the NHL.
In the past we would be voting on our 13th or 15th best prospect, and still see high quality there. No more.
I suspect our prospect qualify drops as guys like Hagelin graduate, replaced by the last pick in the first round. This won't just happen this year. Next year Erixon and likely Kreider will graduate, only to be replaced by another late first rounder.
On the other hand, we have one of the youngest teams in the league, and unless we trade youth for she, it will continue to be so for the next few years.
But the days of us having top-5 farms are probably gone... unless several of our high risk prospects like St. Croix, Thomas and Fasth all suddenly become blue-chippers.
But the days of us having top-5 farms are probably gone... unless several of our high risk prospects like St. Croix, Thomas and Fasth all suddenly become blue-chippers.
The prospect pipe line is in good if not great shape. The Nash deal would have decimated it. So, this is a timely discussion, and a happy one. Howson may have just made the biggest mistake by an opposing GM in our favor since Bob Gainey.
I know everyone is aware that Hagelin is a 6th rounder. That being said, chances are good we have another surprise or two waiting for us in the cupboard.
The Rangers are quickly proving that anyone trying to rate their prospect system will likely be wrong to the negative side in their assessments. Prejudices and bias that were on display during the run up to the dead line will only under score this and make it more entertaining.
And we should not forget about the reclamation pipe line. Stralman is the star in that regard this year. He is just the latest example of how good the Rangers have become at this.
The Rangers are now one of the better Organizations at developing prospects, finding diamonds in the rough, and just simply pulling rabbits out of a hat. It's true and the record strongly reflects it. These guys are really hitting their stride and are on a major role.
The day is fast approaching, imo, when a deal for a player like Nash or the signing of a Parise is irrelevant and contrary to the Rangers interest. Except only in extraordinary circumstances. Players and prospects will be banging on the door to be Rangers. Never a bad thing.
Again and again I will make this point. The Rangers success comes from and will continue to come from the fact that they are building from within.
Erixon IMO has the potential to become a Kris Letang type D-man once he improves his strength. He won't be great at everything, but like Letang, will be a good all around D-man.
I agree Erixon has the chance to be a very good all around Dman. But he will never skate like Kris Letang. Letang is one of the best skaters in the league.
