Rangers' Top 20 Prospects POLL (#18)

Giroux finally gets the nod. I've only been voting for the guy for six rounds now. Let's move on to round number eighteen. It's intersting that Corey Potter is the only guy in the poll who hasn't gotten a vote yet. (Nasty Nate Guenin and Big Mike Walsh received votes in earlier rounds.)

Looks like it's going to be five guys (Hollweg, Kozak, Roche, Taylor, Wiseman) duking it out for the last 3 spots in the top 20.

The Rangers' propsect rankings are as follows:

1) Fedor Tjutin
2) Henrik Lundqvist
3) Josef Balej
4) Hugh Jessiman
5) Thomas Pock
6) Petr Prucha
7) Maxim Kondratiev
8) Jarkko Immonen
9) Ivan Baranka
10) Garth Murray
11) Nigel Dawes
12) David Liffiton
13) Dominic Moore
14) Marcus Jonasen
15) Dwight Helminen
16) Bryce Lampman
17) Alexandre Giroux

Who is the Rangers' #18 Prospect?











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Voted for Falardeau. I know, Slats could have done better with this pick, but that doesn't mean, Falardeau is crap...

I voted for Chad again. I'm really surprised he's not getting any more than just 4 or 5 votes in these polls.

Roche. As mentioned he will climb the charts in years to come and could be a real solid player. To me the other guys have potential ceilings that are not as high.

Kenny Roche. Progressed nicely last season, hope he can continue that in the future.

For me, it's between Roche, Hollweg and Dylan Reese as a write-in...I reallly like the way Hoolweg plays the game but have been impressed with both Roche and Reese when I've seen them play...SInce Reese has no chance, I'll go with Roche then Hollweg for #20....

Also, I think I'm guilty of doing to Wiseman what I thought others were doing to Giroux---ignoring a well rounded player that will probably be in NY next year (if there is a season)...

Again, why no love for Kozak? Because not many people know of him? The kid was taken in the 2nd round of a very deep draft year. A draft year where there was 1st round talent in the 3rd round. Heck, we took Baranka in the 2nd round. Just becuase the kid likes to drop the gloves, does not mean that all he is good for is 4th line goonery. I think that he is a much better prospect than either Hollyweg or Wiseman. He may even be better than Jonasen. I have not read much that I do not like about him.

Again, why no love for Kozak? Because not many people know of him? The kid was taken in the 2nd round of a very deep draft year. A draft year where there was 1st round talent in the 3rd round. Heck, we took Baranka in the 2nd round. Just becuase the kid likes to drop the gloves, does not mean that all he is good for is 4th line goonery. I think that he is a much better prospect than either Hollyweg or Wiseman. He may even be better than Jonasen. I have not read much that I do not like about him.

I'm going for Roche here and probably Wiseman at 20. I completely understand draft position on Kozak TB but haven't read enough on him or seen any video footage to really vote for him. If you can forward some good material my way, you can turn my vote... maybe :dunno:

I voted for Taylor.

But I have a question about Hollweg. I know I saw a link about him signing last week with the Rangers but how come there is nothing on newyorkrangers.com? I would have thought something would have been mentioned by now!? :dunno:

Anyone with definitive info?

Again, why no love for Kozak? Because not many people know of him? The kid was taken in the 2nd round of a very deep draft year. A draft year where there was 1st round talent in the 3rd round. Heck, we took Baranka in the 2nd round. Just becuase the kid likes to drop the gloves, does not mean that all he is good for is 4th line goonery. I think that he is a much better prospect than either Hollyweg or Wiseman. He may even be better than Jonasen. I have not read much that I do not like about him.


Kozak wasnt taken in the 2nd. he was drafted late in the third round(#95 overall). I think you are confusing him with david lifton, another player we got at the trade deadline from colorado

Again, why no love for Kozak? Because not many people know of him? The kid was taken in the 2nd round of a very deep draft year. A draft year where there was 1st round talent in the 3rd round. Heck, we took Baranka in the 2nd round. Just becuase the kid likes to drop the gloves, does not mean that all he is good for is 4th line goonery. I think that he is a much better prospect than either Hollyweg or Wiseman. He may even be better than Jonasen. I have not read much that I do not like about him.

Imo hes not got the potential of Roche. Its not because he drops the gloves that hes fallen so far down this poll. Its because he had 23 points in 54 games at the junior level. We have lots of 4th liners/4th liners with 3rd line upside. Im not saying hes a bad player because I like guys that play like him but imo talent has to come over grit in this as grit is more readily available then skill. As ive mentioned just MY opinion.

I voted for Chad again. I'm really surprised he's not getting any more than just 4 or 5 votes in these polls.

I've been right there with you the past few rounds MP. I guess it goes back to the different parameters we all use when casting our vote. How he ends up ranked lower than Giroux though, who's the same age, is beyond me.

Roche..... for about the 5th time now...

I voted for Hollweg, but I gotta question. How come no one is mentioning Weller as a solid prospect? He really improved and I believe he played in a few games during the preseason. I hope he gets a look maybe a better dman than Purinton is. Look at Weller's stats. He can play both LW and Defense and has not complained.

Craig Weller
Positon: LW and D
Height and Weight: 6'4 224
Age: Just turned 23


02-03 Charlotte ECHL 48 3 11 14 84 - - - - -
02-03 Hartford AHL 11 0 0 0 8 2 0 0 0 0
03-04 Hartford AHL 68 5 9 14 +10 86
03-04 Playoffs AHL 10 2 1 3 +1 22 1 0 1 11 .182

He really improved alot and was one of the final cuts in training camp this year. What you guys think? I know McGill raves about him alot.

I voted for Hollweg, but I gotta question. How come no one is mentioning Weller as a solid prospect? He really improved and I believe he played in a few games during the preseason. I hope he gets a look maybe a better dman than Purinton is. Look at Weller's stats. He can play both LW and Defense and has not complained.

Craig Weller
Positon: LW and D
Height and Weight: 6'4 224
Age: Just turned 23


02-03 Charlotte ECHL 48 3 11 14 84 - - - - -
02-03 Hartford AHL 11 0 0 0 8 2 0 0 0 0
03-04 Hartford AHL 68 5 9 14 +10 86
03-04 Playoffs AHL 10 2 1 3 +1 22 1 0 1 11 .182

He really improved alot and was one of the final cuts in training camp this year. What you guys think? I know McGill raves about him alot.


In the few Hartford games i've seen this season, he never stood out.
I'll need to watch him more to get an opinion.

BTW, we should add Joey Crabb to this list, he's just as good, if not better than some on the list so far. Great agitator(he even looks like Barnaby), with offensive skills: http://www.coloradocollege.edu/Athletics/Hockey/roster/2003/Crabb.cfm

I voted for Hollweg, but I gotta question. How come no one is mentioning Weller as a solid prospect? He really improved and I believe he played in a few games during the preseason. I hope he gets a look maybe a better dman than Purinton is. Look at Weller's stats. He can play both LW and Defense and has not complained.

The only defensemen in the NHL or AHL worse than Purinton is Pilon so Weller has him beat there. Weller hasn't really stood out and out of people on the list I do have higher hopes for picks 1-18 so far.

I voted for Crabb for the last opt-in. Good size, decent skill, and a pest to play against. Nothing more than 3rd-4th level upside, of which we have a lot of, but what do you expect from a 7th rounder?

Yet another product of the USHL Green Bay Gamblers acquired by the Rangers. Does Slats have a kickback scheme going with them or something?