New York Rangers Preview: Which Prospects Will Compete for Roster Spot?

While checking out the additions to the roster, for training camp, I thought about these players and wondered which would make the team? As of now the Rangers have thirteen forwards on their roster, which all played in the NHL last season. A NHL team only needs a total of twelve forwards on a team, to fit four offensive lines. Basically the Rangers already have a full team of forwards, with an extra incase a player gets injured, or is having a bad week. It's only good to have thirteen forwards before training camp because you know your team is qualified to play in a regular season game. But, it is bad because this leaves zero spots open, on forward, for all the youth the Rangers were supposed to have playing on the team this season. Wasn't this season supposed to start the "rebuilding" period?

But no worries Rangers fan, there is a way to get out of this mess. How? Well, of the thirteen forwards to play in the NHL last season I can see John Tortorella getting rid of a few of them to open up spots for his prospects. Does Brian Boyle really deserve a spot this season? The Rangers rushed him by allowing him on the roster last season, so maybe allowing him a season in Hartford (or Connecticut) would really help his development. One spot opened. Now we are left with twelve, still needing to erase one more name enabling the Rangers to bring up a prospect. Who can the Rangers erase? Well here are a few options Sather and Trots may be looking at:

1. Waive Todd White to open a spot, and cap space

2. Trade a couple players for less, thus keeping a spot open for a prospect

3. Send some two-way contract players to the minors OR

4. Leave things how they are, and call players up half way through the season

In my opinion, the first and last choices are the best. Though I wouldn't mind number two (trading a few players for less in return). But let's say they go with choice number one, and they waive Todd White. Now with Boyle and White gone, there is one spot open for a prospect. One spot open for about five prospects to try and fit into too. One spot is small, but hey it is better than nothing. So, taking that the Rangers are stuck in this scenario which player will they take? Here are the prospects which seem to be the best options right now:

1. Mats- Zuccarello Aasen (W) - Sather didn't sign him to watch him play two seasons in the AHL, I would expect him to come to Training Camp ready to play and compete for a job on the team. If he is to make the team, that is another scoring threat for the Rangers added on to Gaborik and Frolov.

2. Evgeny Grachev (C) - The number two Rangers prospect has a lot to prove during the pre-season. When he came to camp last season he was all offense, with no regards to playing defense and that cost him a spot on the team. While playing in Hartford he found a two-way game, while being able to throw a few pucks in the net.

3. Derek Stepan (C) - Being the Rangers top prospect I expect him to do pretty well during Training Camp, and the pre-season. But, I do not see the Rangers rushing him to the NHL just yet. One season in the minors wouldn't hurt him.

4. Jeremy Williams (W) - Acquired during free agency, Jeremy Williams is a very talented player. At age twenty-six Williams wants’ to find a job in the NHL. If he is going to make the Rangers, he must show-up playing his heart out during training camp.

5. Dale Weise (W)- Perhaps the most ready for a roster spot, but that doesn't mean he will make it. Weise is big, tough, and has a nat to score. I wouldn't be surprised to see him make the team, but the Rangers have better options than him.

Now to defense. The Rangers currently have six players on their defensive roster that played in the NHL last season. A roster only needs six defenseman to fit a three line rotation but, it is no guarantee that all of those defenseman will be on the team past training camp. Yes, I am talking about Redden and Rozsival (they come up so much that you could make a T.V blooper show out of their names). While Sather continues to try and spot a team to take Rozsival, he will not find one to take Redden. As many fans expect, me included, Wade Redden will be buried in the minors. That would free up a roster spot, and a lot of cap-space. With Marc Staal likely being a free agent by that time, I would have to believe he would be Sathers number one priority. With the money freed-up by sending Redden to the minors, Glen Sather would have the ability to bring back Marc Staal.

The good- Staal is back

The bad- the lone roster spot is gone

So how will Sather and Torts decide to open up a spot? They can trade away a defenseman, send a two-way contract to the minors, or they can decide on a seventh defenseman for the club, thus allowing them to call one defensive prospect to the NHL. If they go with plan number three (choose a seventh defenseman) I’d believe that they would have to options for that. They can put Steve Eminger as a utility seventh defenseman, or they can put Matt Gilroy as a utility seventh defenseman. You take your pick, and I will take mine. Personally, I’d choose Matt Gilroy and perhaps send him to play in the minors, but that's just my opinion.

Regardless of who you chose (or which plan you chose to take) one spot would be opened up, and one prospect dream will come true. But who would it be? Here are some options:

1. Ryan McDonagh- Probably the best choice, as this young rugged defenseman had an outstanding season for Wisconsin, and he could really make a difference for the Rangers at the NHL level.

2. Jyri Niemi- Acquired by the Rangers previous to the draft, I only hear good things about young Jyri Niemi. He has a bit of an offensive punch to him, but is extremely strong in his on end (on defense). If McDonagh is not chosen, I’d expect to see Niemi in a Rangers uniform next season.

3. Matt Mccue- the Rangers landed this rough-and-tough defensive prospect in a trade with the Ducks. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the NHL, but there are better options.

4. Lee Baldwin- Baldwin is another youngster that I hear only good things about. He is a strong skater, and a very strong defenseman with a bright future. Is he NHL ready just yet? Maybe he is, but he will definitely have to show up sharp during training camp.

5. Pat Valentenko- Valentenko has a very bright future ahead of him, and hopefully it holds the Rangers in it. Valentenko is an excellent defenseman, and he knows how to play the body. He also has a bit of offensive talent to his name. He could very well be the one the Rangers pick to play in the NHL this season.

6*. Tomas Kundratek- Honestly, I couldn't keep this kid out. I thought he was one of the best during the Rangers annual prospect camp, and I think he will be one of the best during training camp. He may not make the team this season, but when Mikhail Pashnin comes to play next season I wouldn’t be surprised if both make the team as line mates.

I'm not going to bother playing out a goaltending situation, so here is where I say:

Thanks for the read, hope you enjoyed. Feel free to comment below, and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible (out all day).