This preseason will be a big one for the Rangers. It’s not all about the big league team and how the revamped blue line and new coach impact the play on the ice. There are at least 3 open roster spots for prospects on the cusp, and we will get insight into which kids are NHL ready, which kids would benefit from more time in the AHL, and which kids should be sold off high. Pruning the Rangers prospect tree will become a priority somewhat soon.
The concept of pruning the Rangers prospect tree isn’t new. It’s something most NHL clubs do, even if they don’t necessary call it that. The general premise is reviewing current roster structure, open spots, and team goals in the near term. Then taking that information to make decisions on prospects that are currently either on the cusp of the NHL and/or beginning to age out.
Current prospects and expected roles
When talking pruning the Rangers prospect tree, the immediate concern is with their wing prospects. Both Brett Berard and Brennan Othmann are turning 23 this season and are on their final year of their respective ELCs. While both are still exempt from waivers, they won’t be much longer. Adam Sykora is a year behind both in age and ELC status.
Sykora and Berard have roughly the same expected role. They are considered middle or bottom six pests. Depth players that would fill critical forechecking roles. Jaro Chmelar and Kalle Vaisanen are also in this bottom-six winger category, though with different play styles.
Gabe Perreault, though a winger prospect, is considered a top of the lineup prospect. Othmann is likely in the same boat, but with more top-six potential instead of top line potential. Newly drafted Malcolm Spence has top-six potential as well, but is multiple years away from the NHL. If anything, he’d be part of the next wave.
On defense, Scott Morrow appears to be NHL ready. Matthew Robertson is the only question mark but he’s also turning 25 this season. He may be considered aged out at this point if he’s not a late bloomer. EJ Emery and Drew Fortescue aren’t signed and would be considered part of the next wave of defense prospects.
Pruning the Rangers prospect tree begins with evaluating what’s in the system related to timeline to the NHL and open roles, both current and expected with expiring contracts.
Prospects aging out
The big question about pruning the Rangers prospect tree is at wing. This is a big year for both Berard and Othmann who are at that key decision point. Are they NHL players? Are they a good fit for Mike Sullivan’s system? If the answer to either question is no, then they need to be pruned before their trade value tanks completely. As always, it’s best to begin pruning the Rangers prospect tree a year too early rather than a year too late.
To be clear, this isn’t giving up on a prospect. It’s finding as much value as possible from an asset that may not be a fit in the immediate future. We as fans cling to prospects, but in the hockey world they are simply assets. Picking on Othmann for a minute, if he isn’t viewed as ready for an NHL job this season within the current system, even if there’s a spot with his name on it in July, then he needs to be moved to recoup value.
Letting your prospects age out just creates more Matthew Robertson situations. The Rangers likely missed their window to move Robertson. It’s best not to do that with Othmann and, to a lesser extent, Berard. As a former 1st round pick with solid AHL numbers, it’s far more critical to recoup whatever value Othmann would have if he simply doesn’t make the club out of camp.
It’s not just Berard and Othmann that are aging out. Sykora, Chmelar, and Vaisanen, all wingers, are one year behind that duo, all with similar roles and expectations to Berard. All can, in theory, be replaced in the system by younger prospects like Spence, Brody Lamb, and Raoul Boillard.
Pruning the Rangers prospect tree is an endless process
Pruning the Rangers prospect tree is more like a revolving door of prospects that don’t fit in the Rangers plans. Let’s say, for example, both Berard and Othmann shine in camp, but Sykora struggles a bit. Chris Drury may look to include Sykora in a trade to either meet immediate NHL needs or simply move him for a different prospect at a different position in a similar situation. Center prospects come to mind right now, but it’s an evolving need.
At some point, pruning the Rangers prospect tree will impact Dylan Garand, possibly Bryce McConnell-Barker, and perhaps even Matt Rempe or Adam Edstrom (if Dylan Roobroeck continues to improve and shifts to wing).
Think of this as how the Rangers dealt with goalies in the Henrik Lundqvist era. Cam Talbot in particular was brought through the system, but when he was blocked he was traded for picks. The Rangers bought low on Antti Raanta and turned him into a starter before he was shipped off. There wasn’t an immediate need, so they pruned the tree. Same applies to prospects.
Not all prospects make it. Even fewer make it with the team that originally drafted them. It’s just the way of life in the NHL.
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