• Christian Thomas
• Tim Erixon
• Dylan McIlrath
• J.T. Miller
• Carl Hagelin
• Chris Kreider

Vote below, and we will add this feature when the season starts.

[poll id="57"]

Big news from last week:

• The Rangers came out flat in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, losing the physical battles and just looking over matched. The brilliance of Henrik Lundqvist and the defense kept the Rangers in the game, but they fell in overtime 2-1, when the key Rangers players looked utterly gassed.
• The Rangers fared no better in Game Two, as the Caps stifling defense and the Rangers inability to generate scoring chances led to a 2-0 loss, and a 2-0 series deficit.
• Luckily, the Rangers figured it out in Game Three, making a dent in Michal Neuvirth’s GAA with a 3-2 victory. The winning tally was a lucky bounce off the stick of Brandon Dubinsky, who played much better in the game. Nothing wrong with a lucky bounce getting the Rangers back in the series and giving the Rangers faithful some hope.
• Despite the 2-1 series deficit –much better than some expected–the Rangers are truly missing Ryan Callahan. Cally bring more to the table than points and leadership, as his physical presence is what the Rangers are missing the most.
• The Canadian Juniors playoffs are well underway, and there are several Rangers prospects that continue to impress. Aside from Christian Thomas, who continues to be a staple of these prospect updates, Jason Wilson and Ryan Bourque are stepping up in key roles for their respective clubs as well.
• As for the CT Whale, who qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs despite a terrible start to the season, there are a bunch of prospects who are having excellent seasons. The Rangers seem to have a logjam at almost every position in the organization, which is a great problem to have.

[poll id="43"]

Big news from last week:

• The Rangers made us sweat it out, but they made the playoffs. They stormed back from down 3-0 against Boston on Monday to win 5-3, laid an egg against Atlanta, but rebounded with a 5-2 victory against the Devils. Those two victories, coupled with a Carolina loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday night, were enough to propel our Blueshirts to the playoffs.
• The first round matchup will be against the Washington Capitals, and the Rangers will begin on Wednesday in Washington, and play every other day. It’s a good matchup for the Rangers, but the Caps are red-hot coming into the playoffs. These are not the same Caps, this year they have goaltending and defense.
• Ryan Callahan broke his ankle on Monday blocking a Zdeno Chara slap shot. The loss is huge for the Rangers. It is almost impossible to replace everything that Cally brings to the lineup. With him out, Chris Drury and Marian Gaborik are going to have to lead this team, and take over the roles and responsibilities that were Cally’s before his injury.
• Speaking of Drury, he made his return for the Rangers on Saturday, netting a huge goal to tie the game at one a piece against the Devils.
• The Rangers recalled Mats Zuccarello after the Callahan injury, and the subsequent egg-laying against Atlanta. Zuccarello will bring more offense to an offensively challenged team missing its second leading scorer.
• Brandon Prust won the Steve A. McDonald Extra Effort Award this year. Well deserved it was.
• Vinny Prospal looks to be rejuvenated since returning from his knee injury. He was the one who kept the Rangers in it against Boston on Monday, netting two goals in the second period to keep the dream alive. Without those goals, the Rangers simply aren’t in the playoffs. That’s what veteran leaders do.
• Dylan McIlrath (1st – 2010) and Andrew Yogan (5th – 2010) both signed amateur try-outs with the Connecticut Whale this week when their respective CHL seasons ended. Both made immediate impacts, with McIlrath dishing out some big hits and winning a fight, and Yogan netting two goals.
• The Rangers prospects playing in the CHL playoffs are playing well. Christian Thomas continues to steal the show in the playoffs, and has 11 points in just four games so far. I would be shocked if he didn’t sign an entry level deal when the playoffs end.

[poll id="42"]

Big news from last week:

• The Rangers followed up one of their best weeks of the season with perhaps their worst. Although they won yesterday’s game against Philadelphia, the Rangers dropped two critical games against Buffalo and the Islanders, allowing Carolina back into the playoff race.
• The magic number for the Rangers is five. Any combination of five points gained by the Rangers and lost by the Canes means the Rangers clinch. That means if the Rangers get three points in their next two games, and Carolina loses to Detroit, the Rangers clinch. I still think they make the playoffs, but wins against Buffalo and the Islanders would have made us sweat a little less.
• Mats Zuccarello was returned to the AHL, which solves the question of who will be scratched down the stretch (no one). Zuccarello wasn’t getting much playing time, and it is more important for him to build his confidence while playing big time minutes than to sit on the bench in the NHL.
• The Rangers signed undrafted free agent Tommy Grant last week to an entry level deal. Grant had an amateur tryout with the CT Whale prior to signing, and Whale coach Ken Gernander liked his game, where he had two assists, and he was signed the next day.
• Chris took an in-depth look at the Rangers drafts from 2003 and on. The conclusion is what everyone who follows the organization knows, and everyone else can’t seem to fathom: The Rangers draft well. They will always have the reputation of the team that throws money at big name free agents, and it is probably a good thing that people overlook the Rangers drafting ability. Floating under the radar suits this team well.
• Carl Hagelin and the Michigan Wolverines made it to the Frozen Four. Hagelin will likely be another prospect that signs once his playoffs are over.
• The Rangers prospects playing in the CHL playoffs are playing well. Christian Thomas continues to steal the show in the playoffs, and has 11 points in just four games so far. I would be shocked if he didn’t sign an entry level deal when the playoffs end.

[poll id="41"]

Big news from last week:

• The Rangers are playing some of their best hockey of the season right now, going 2-0-1 last week to solidify their playoff standing and really make a push to the #6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
• Believe it or not, our beloved Blueshirts actually stand a chance of passing Montreal in the standings and facing Boston in the first round of the playoffs. If they finish in seventh, then they would likely face the Caps. Both are dangerous, and it’s a tough call for who you would prefer they play.
• The Rangers signed an undrafted goalie named Jason Missiaen. This is a relatively minor signing, but it does mean that someone within the organization is likely to be gone next season, especially if the Rangers sign Scott Stajcer as well.
• The Rangers are making this run without their captain, who to be honest, they really don’t miss on the ice. Chris Drury does provide a lot of leadership and is a great locker room presence, but you have to wonder where he would fit if and when he returns.
• Despite the rumors, the Rangers will not open next year in Russia. That’s a sigh of relief there.
• Considering Brandon Dubinsky’s success this year, and his success in the face off dot, the Rangers may be tempted to move Dubi back to center next season. He is excelling as a wing though, and if they can get a legitimate top line center, the potential for him to stay on the top line could be too much to pass up by moving him back to center.
• Matt Cooke got suspended for the rest of the season and the first round of the playoffs for his hit on Ryan McDoangh. Good riddance.
• Chris Kreider made his return to the BC lineup during the Frozen Four, albeit in a losing effort that saw his Golden Eagles eliminated from contention. Carl Hagelin’s Michigan Wolverines are still in the tournament, having qualified for the Frozen Four over the weekend. It’s going to be interesting to see if the Rangers sign Kreider, as signing Hagelin is all but a given right now.

[poll id="40"]

Big news from last week:

• The Rangers went 3-0 last week, extending their win streak to four games. They are on a bit of a run right now, as in addition to the four straight wins, they have won six of seven.
• With two games against non-playoff teams coming, the Rangers have a chance to open up a big lead on the #7 seed. Should they do what they are supposed to do (win against bad teams), the Rangers will have 84 points with seven games to play.
• It is not coincidence that the Rangers four game win streak has coincided with Marian Gaborik’s hot streak, as he now has goals in three straight games, and four of the past five.
• Sean Avery has found himself as a healthy scratch of late. Considering the Rangers recent success, there is a chance he may not even fit in with the team anymore. It’s not that Avery has been playing poorly, it’s just there are plenty of players that have simply outplayed him.
• Considering the makeup of this year’s squad, and the run they are on now, it is possible that the Rangers could play spoiler for a top seed in the playoffs. However, with that success comes a price, and that price is the rising price tag the current RFAs.
• Despite everyone’s criticisms (including my own), Erik Christensen seems to be clicking with Gaborik, and his return to the lineup has coincided with the sniper’s scoring streak. I am not a Christensen fan, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
• The Rangers signed 2008 third round pick Ryan Bourque, and 2010 first round pick Dylan McIlrath this past week. Both are on entry level deals, and it is likely that Bourque will play in Connecticut next season. McIlrath will still be under 20 years old, so for him it’s either the Rangers or a return to Juniors.
• The Rangers are also supposed to have a deal with Carl Hagelin in the works, which will be signed once the Frozen Four ends.
• There are rumblings that the next big prospect to suit up for the Rangers is not going to be Chris Kreider, but will be Christian Thomas. Thomas has dominated Juniors two years in a row, while Kreider has yet to dominate at the NCAA level. Both will be Rangers, but it may be that Thomas has passed Kreider in the NHL-readiness department.

[poll id="39"]

Big news from last week:

• The Rangers went 1-1 last week, with a strong showing in San Jose that followed an equally poor showing in Anaheim. In games where every point count, the Rangers got two big points, but managed to give two away against the Ducks.
• Carl Hagelin is well on his way to being a Ranger in the future, but that future is unfortunately not going to be this season. The CCHA playoffs began, with Hagelin contributing two assists in their opening round win against Bowling Green. It would have been nice to see Hagelin suit up for the Rangers this season, but as long as Michigan keeps winning, he will stay there.
• At some point, the Rangers are going to have to find some skilled teammates to skate with Marian Gaborik. Skill is important, but chemistry with the sniper is even more important. The Rangers need to jump start Gaborik if they want to win, but do they have the right personnel to do so?
• Artem Anisimov is having a great season, even if he was the subject of many trade rumors. I don’t think he’s a part of the long term plan in New York, as there seems to be a logjam at center with the emergence of Derek Stepan and Brian Boyle. A shift of Stepan to wing changes that, but Anisimov is going to be a solid player soon, regardless of where he ends up.
• Brian McCabe hasn’t impacted the powerplay success rate, but the powerplay has looked better of late. It’s tough to argue with the numbers, but the new powerplay at least passes the eye test, for now.
• The Rangers have a few games in hand on the teams chasing them, which is causing a bit of a crunch for the playoffs. The Rangers need to continue winning. With 12 games remaining, the Rangers will need 14 of a possible 24 points to hit the magic number of 90 points. That means seven wins, which is a tall order considering the remaining schedule. This team is capable of a run like that though. I still believe they will make the playoffs.

[poll id="38"]

Big news from last week:

• I’m baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.
• The cruise was awesome, the islands were awesome, everything was awesome.
• This injury bug thing is getting old. It’s now even affecting the Ranger prospects, as Chris Kreider is out for the year with a broken jaw. Martin Biron broke his collar bone, and is done for the year as well. This is getting ridiculous.
• The trade deadline came and went, and the Rangers picked up Brian McCabe for spare parts (Tim Kennedy, third round pick), and John Mitchell for a seventh round pick. The McCabe trade was masterful, and I still don’t know how Glen Sather pulls off trades like this. Mitchell brings forward depth, which was necessary because of the injuries at the NHL and AHL level.
• Although the Rangers sit as the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference, their lead is only three points on the #9 seed (Carolina). The #8 seed (Buffalo) has three games in hand on the Rangers, and the ‘Canes have two games in hand. That #7 seed can easily turn to a #9 seed in the matter of a week.
• Did I mention how awesome my cruise was?

[poll id="37"]

Big news from last week:

• The Rangers went 1-2 last week, with an impressive shootout win over the Kings to start the week. However, that win was overshadowed by a lackluster showing in New Jersey, and another loss at the hands of the Flyers. The Rangers have hit a point in time where they are crashing back to Earth. Let’s be honest, the Rangers overachieved all year, and this is simply regression to the expectations.
• The injury news for the Rangers just keeps getting worse. This time, Marian Gaborik is out with a concussion. It looks like Gaborik has been playing with the injury for some time now, which may explain some of his performances of late. Kris Newbury has been recalled again to serve as the injury replacement.
• The Tomas Kaberle saga finally ended, as he was traded to the Bruins. This is good thing for the Rangers, as it prevents them from overpaying for him. There was a lot of action last week on the trade front, but the Rangers have been standing pat. Slats won’t mortgage the future for a rental.
• Derek Boogaard is hoping to play this year. I still don’t know where he would fit in this year.
• Henrik Lundqvist got his 200th win of his career in that victory over the Kings. Fitting for The King that this milestone comes against The Kings.
• Many Ranger fans seem to forget that the NCAA prospect that is most ready for the NHL is not Chris Kreider, it is Carl Hagelin. Assuming the Rangers sign him, he is going to be a prime candidate to make the roster next year.

[poll id="36"]

Big news from last week:

• After losing six in a row, the Rangers righted the ship in emphatic fashion, dominating the Penguins for the majority of their 5-3 win on Sunday. The score was closer than the game itself, as the Penguins scored two of their goals in the first five minutes. After that, it was all Rangers, who rebounded nicely after an epic losing streak.
• TSN looked at potential trade targets for the Rangers come deadline day. They all seem to center around a veteran powerplay point presence, which isn’t really surprising. As for the prospects that the Rangers are likely willing to part with for a rental, I analyzed that here.
• The Rangers got more bad news on the injury front, as Chris Drury had knee surgery and will be out for six weeks. Many will feel that the Rangers are better off without him, and on the ice there may not be a significant difference. But Drury has been great in the locker room and has been someone the kids have looked up to. His presence will be missed in the locker room more than on the ice.
• Marian Gaborik has had an off year, and there is a lot of truth to the news that Glen Sather is listening to offers for Gaborik. Naturally, he is listening, it’s his job. There is a difference between listening and shopping. Although he’s been having an off year, we should realize that Gaborik is a one of a kind talent, who happens to be struggling. We need to back our stars, not boo and trade them.
• The Rangers will pass on Sheldon Souray. Crisis averted.
• Christian Thomas is starting to put significant distance between himself and the other Ranger prospects in this year’s scoring race. He’s looking like he’s going to be another 2nd round steal by the Rangers.

[poll id="35"]