Latest Updates on the Top Prospects for the New York Rangers

In August, I released a list of top New York Rangers prospects to watch for in the upcoming season. Four-and-a-half months later, it is a great time to take a look at these talented youngsters, as they are in the midst of the early stages of their seasons.

This list will take a look at the Rangers' top prospects and what they are doing, and I will rank them in order of significance. The Blueshirts have a number of talented forwards, goalies and defenders, so here are the best Blueshirts in training.

7. Ryan Graves, Quebec Remparts (Defenseman)

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Graves is a promising defender.

Ryan Graves is a 6'5", 216-pound defenseman with some promise. The 19-year-old defender has seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 17 games.

When you watch Graves play, it is promising and disappointing at the same time. It is promising because he is a decent skater; he moves the puck well and plays a physical game.

There isn't much more he could be doing at this point, and it is only disappointing because he is everything that Dylan McIlrath, the Rangers' 10th overall pick from the 2010 draft, isn't.

6. Cristoval Nieves, University of Michigan (Left Winger)

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Nieves has come far since his draft year.

Cristoval "Boo" Nieves has roared back into the conversation as one of the Rangers' top prospects. The University of Michigan Wolverine forward has four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 15 games, and he's registered 29 shots on goal.

Last season, Nieves tallied 21 points in 34 games, which was a decline from the 29 points he tallied in 40 games the year prior. Nieves is a smooth-skating, physical forward at 6'3" and 200 pounds, and he projects to be a decent top-six forward with upside.

Look for Nieves to remain in school for his senior year next fall, because there is currently a massive logjam on the wing for the Rangers.

5. Oscar Lindberg, Hartford Wolf Pack (Center)

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Lindberg could become a valuable trade chip.

Oscar Lindberg is one of the Rangers' top prospects who hasn't gotten a chance to showcase his talents in the NHL, but he should get an opportunity in the near future. Lindberg is a speedy two-way center who has been the Hartford Wolf Pack's top player, as he's tallied nine goals and nine assists for an even 18 points.

One of his biggest strengths is his ability to play well in all three zones, and he has an underrated shot. Lindberg projects to be a solid top-nine forward, and if he doesn't get a chance on the Rangers, he would become a valuable trade asset.

4. Brandon Halverson, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (Goaltender)

The New York Rangers decided to use their first pick of the 2014 draft on a goalie, and the decision to draft Brandon Halverson appears to have been a great one. The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound is 16-3-0 with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.

Those numbers are great considering he is playing in the OHL. While the OHL isn't as fast and loose as the high-scoring QMJHL, it still is more offensive than the NHL. Halverson has embraced the starting role in the OHL, and he's currently vying for the starting job for Team USA in the upcoming World Junior Championship tournament.

It is still very early in his development, but Halverson has been a surprising prospect this season.

3. Anthony Duclair, New York Rangers (Left Winger)

Anthony Duclair is still technically a prospect, as he's only played 18 NHL games. He is currently on loan to Team Canada for the WJC tournament and could be returned to the Quebec Remparts to finish his season.

Duclair is still raw and needs to polish his overall game, but he has great speed and an impressive shot. Thus far, he has seven points in his NHL career and projects to be a nice secondary scoring winger. If he returns to the Rangers, he will have to fight for his spot back, but that shouldn't be hard for him to do.

2. Pavel Buchnevich, Severstal Cherepovets (Left Winger)

Pavel Buchnevich is easily the New York Rangers' best Russian prospect since either the late Alexei Cherepanov or Alex Kovalev. The 19-year-old prospect is 6'2" and 176 pounds, and he's currently outpacing what NHL dynamo Vladimir Tarasenko did when he was at this stage of development in the KHL.

As a 19-year-old, Tarasenko tallied 19 points in 42 games with Sibir Novosibirsk. This season with the Severstal Cherepovets, Buchnevich has 21 points in 32 games. The comparison is made because both were prospects who were hyped for their talent and were drafted later than they should've been.

Buchnevich projects to be a different type of player because he is significantly lighter than Tarasenko, but to this point, he has shown that he is just as talented when you factor in age and competition.

1. Brady Skjei, University of Minnesota (Defenseman)

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Brady Skjei is the Rangers' top defensive prospect, and it would be surprising if he wasn't a Blueshirt next season. The University of Minnesota Gopher rearguard is playing well this season, putting up a goal and three assists in 10 contests.

He's also registered 13 shots on goal and has continued to highlight why he is a talented prospect. Skjei stands 6'3" and weighs 206 pounds, and the former U.S. National Team Development Program star skates like the wind. He's been compared to Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh by Rangers director of player personnel Gordie Clark, via Blueshirts United, and he certainly is a prospect who’s really upped his game since being drafted.

Stats via Elite Prospects, OHL.com, AHL.com, and NHL.com unless otherwise noted.