New York Rangers Prospect Preview: Offensive Talent Ready for Next Level

Two days ago, the New York Rangers posted their “Prospect Camp” videos on their website which many fans, including me, watched. So over the next three days I’m going to preview Rangers top prospects for each position. Today I’m going to preview the Rangers rookie forwards.

5. RW Jeremy Williams

The Rangers recently signed Williams to a still undisclosed contract. Williams has played 31 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring 9 goals, 2 assists, and a total of 11 points.

He scored a total of 32 goals and 31 assists for the Red Wings affiliate team last season, proving that he has a dominant scoring touch. Williams will be a key part of a team in his future, and I’m hoping the Rangers will be that team.

4. LW Mats Zuccarello Aasen

Glen Sather signed Aasen in May, but wasn’t officially announced until June. As soon as I heard this kid was signed by the Rangers, I tried to find a jersey with his name on the back of it. Well, I was unsuccessful.

Anyways, he was signed by the New York Rangers for the obvious purpose of having another scorer on the team. Zuccarello Aasen will be at training camp this September and will most likely play with the Rangers during preseason.

He may need a season in the AHL to get used to North American style of play, but if he does make the Rangers this season, I would expect him to play on a line with Artem Anisimov. I think the two could click and play great hockey together.

3. C Evgeny Grachev

The only reason Grachev wasn’t on the roster last season was because of his lack of skill on the defensive side. In his season with Hartford his coaches taught him the importance of two-way hockey, and he became a solid two-way player.

He will make a huge push this September to make the team, and I think he may be a favorite to do so.

But if things don’t work out for him, and he ends up in the AHL, expect him to play on a line with Mats Zuccarello Aasen if he doesn’t make the team either. If he does make the team, he could probably play on a line with Ryan Callahan.

Grachev has speed, shooting talent, good stick-handling. He may work well with the hardest working skater on the team, Ryan Callahan.

2. LW Dane Byers

Byers is probably the biggest favorite to make the team this season because of his NHL experience. In five games with the Rangers this season he totaled up one goal and 31 penalty minutes. He racked up 29 penalty minutes in one game last season against the Vancouver Canucks. He is a team player who isn’t afraid to get rough and has a lot of offensive talent.

Expect him to make the team this season and play on the second or third line with Brandon Dubinsky as his center. If for some reason he doesn’t make the team, he will probably continue to play with Evgeny Grachev, if Grachev is unable to make the team as well.

1. C Derek Stepan

Yes, Stepan will try to make the team this September, and yes he will most likely play with the Rangers in preseason. Will he make the roster this upcoming season? Probably not. When there are more spots open next season, expect Stepan to play in the NHL.

But if the Rangers are struggling to make the playoffs next season I would expect Stepan to be called up to play a few games to show off his skill. Stepan will be a great player in the future. When he makes the NHL, don’t expect him to be a top-line center. It will probably take him a season or two to get to that spot. But he will make it eventually, and be a key part to the Rangers' auspicious future.