Where the defense prospects stand

Before Friday’s draft it’s a good idea to take stock of what the Rangers already have in the system.  If New York follows suit, then the Blueshirts will pick the best player available regardless of position.  However, it’s worth evaluating where the team’s strengths lie. Kevin evaluated the forwards, so let’s look at the defense.

Tim Erixon

Erixon has been met with a lot of hype since the Rangers stole him (along with what turned out to be Shane McColgan) from Calgary for two second round picks and Roman Horak last year. After two successful seasons with Skelleftea HC in the SEL, Erixon came over to the NHL and was expected to make the club without any time in the AHL, which is exactly what happened. That said, Erixon struggled during his first NHL stint in October, finishing with no points and a -3 rating in nine games before being sent to the Connecticut Whale. Those nine games would be Erixon’s longest stint with the big club, but all was not lost. Erixon dominated the AHL, finishing with 33 points (3-30-33) in 42 games). The Swede is as NHL ready as you can get. Barring a major setback, he should be a Ranger next fall.

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Blake Parlett Press Release

Here is the prss release for the Blake Parlett signing:

RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FREE AGENT DEFENSEMAN BLAKE PARLETT
New York, June 2, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Blake Parlett.

Parlett, 22, skated in 24 games with the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, registering two goals and 10 assists for 12 points, along with 17 penalty minutes.  He made his AHL debut on February 18 at Adirondack, and tallied his first AHL point with the overtime, game-winning goal, in a 2-1 victory at Springfield on March 5.  Parlett tied for third among team defensemen in assists and points, despite playing in only 24 games.  He also tied for fourth among AHL rookie defensemen with two game-winning goals.  Parlett notched a goal in his AHL playoff debut at Portland on April 14, in Game One of their Atlantic Division Semifinal matchup.  He finished the postseason ranked second among Whale defensemen in assists (two) and points (three), and tied for third on the team in assists and fifth in points.

The 6-1, 205-pounder began the 2010-11 season with the Greenville Road Warriors of the ECHL, registering seven goals and 25 assists for 32 points, along with 40 penalty minutes in 46 games.  He led all ECHL defensemen in points, and was tied for the league lead among blueliners in assists at the time of his recall to Connecticut (AHL) on February 17.  Parlett was assessed a fighting major while making his professional debut with Greenville on October 21 vs. Florida, and recorded his first career points with two assists on October 22 vs. Florida.  He was named an ECHL All-Star, posting a plus-four rating in the game on January 26.  Parlett tallied eight points (one goal, seven assists) in his final five games with Greenville from February 5 to February 15, prior to his recall to Connecticut (AHL).  He also recorded one assist in two playoff contests with the Road Warriors.

Prior to turning professional, the Bracebridge, Ontario native skated in 301 career games with Barrie, Windsor and Mississauga of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), registering 28 goals and 88 assists for 116 points, along with 361 penalty minutes.  He established OHL career-highs in goals (11), assists (35), points (46), and penalty minutes (108) with Mississauga in 2009-10.  Parlett led Mississauga defensemen in points, goals and assists, and ranked second on the team overall in assists and fourth in points that season.  In addition, Parlett registered nine points (one goal, eight assists) and 45 penalty minutes in 44 career OHL playoff contests with Barrie and Mississauga.

Rangers Sign Blake Parlett

As per Renaud Lavoie, the Rangers have signed defenseman Blake Parlett to an entry level contract.  The deal is for the league minimum in a two-way contract.  Parlett was initially signed to a minor league deal with the CT Whale on 7/29/2010, and the culmination of his hard work has led to this entry level contract.  In splitting time between Greenvale of the ECHL and the Whale, Parlett put together respectable numbers.  With Greenvale, he put up a line of 7-25-32 with 40 PIMs in 46 games.  With CT, he put up a line of 2-10-12 with 17 PIMs in 24 games. 

In the 2009-2010 OHL season, Parlett played for the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, where he had a good over-age season with the Majors, putting up a line of 11-35-46 and 108 PIMs in 68 games.  The 22 year old, 6’1″, 205 lb defenseman is likely a depth move for the Whale.  Expect him to replace Tysen Dowzak on the depth chart, who I do not believe will be given another contract.  The Rangers still have plenty of space on the 50 contract reserve list.