Rangers' Top 20 Prospects POLL (#19)

And Roche the freshman wunderkind takes the eighteenth spot. Two names left.....

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
18) Ken Roche

Who is the Rangers' #19 Prospect?

taylor is the guy.
i'm not sure why wiseman is even on this list and blackburn and ortmeyer were left off?

ortmeyer is playing in hartford right now and could be next season if there is a lockout.

blackburn is still a kid.

whats the deal?

Voted for Chad, and I'm glad to see him getting more votes this time. :)

I vote for Hollweg once again. :yo:

taylor is the guy.
i'm not sure why wiseman is even on this list and blackburn and ortmeyer were left off?

ortmeyer is playing in hartford right now and could be next season if there is a lockout.

blackburn is still a kid.

whats the deal?

I've only posted this a dozen times in the various poll threads, but I'll gladly do it again.

The poll is run according to HF rules concerning prospect eligibility. Ortmeyer played 55 NHL games this season. That makes a rookie season according to NHL rules. He's now a young NHL player according to HF, not a prospect. I'm not even sure if he's eligible to play in Hartford next year if there is a lockout. Same with Blackburn. Betts, Marek, Nycholat, and LaBarbera are also ineligible for one of several reasons: age, time on NHL roster, or number of games played in the AHL/ECHL or an elite Euro league.

As for Wiseman, he's almost 3 years younger than Ortmeyer. Why shouldn't he be on the list?

Went for Kozak. Has the best chance of making the NHL in my opinion. Him and Murray could be a couple of good wrecking balls, maybe our version of Detroits crash line in the future?

For me, this one comes down to one of three guys; Ryan Hollweg and two WOlfpack guys that have gotten very little respect (even from me!!!)---Chad Wiseman and LAYNE ULMER...This is not a reaction ot his GW goal last night...The kid has ben a scorer everywhere, improved big time in Hartford this year, and has been Mr. CLutch most of the year.....Still, I'm remembering Hollweg;s game for the Pack and as a 1st time Ranger prospect and I really liked it (thought he was better then MURRAY) ...

just turned 20 years old, and improved his goal total from 9 to 15 in a pretty good league. Had a big playoff (or tournament) goal too, I believe. He's got nice size too at 6'1 208.

just turned 20 years old, and improved his goal total from 9 to 15 in a pretty good league. Had a big playoff (or tournament) goal too, I believe. He's got nice size too at 6'1 208.

I did too. He has Moore upside than any of those players, IMO ;)

chad wiseman does not deserve to be on the top 20. one i think hes a little old, two hell never be better than a 3rd or 4th liner. whoever is the wiseman groupie on this board is an idiot. i know hes a great ahler, and he scored one goal against the devils, but he doesnt deserve this list

chad wiseman does not deserve to be on the top 20. one i think hes a little old, two hell never be better than a 3rd or 4th liner. whoever is the wiseman groupie on this board is an idiot. i know hes a great ahler, and he scored one goal against the devils, but he doesnt deserve this list

Great, not only do we have intolerance of other's opinions around here lately, we also have childish name-calling....Way to bring this board down..

Great, not only do we have intolerance of other's opinions around here lately, we also have childish name-calling....Way to bring this board down..

I think he's really Lee Falardeau :D

cmon guys ---you now its not like that, but there is one person who is pushing the guy constantly, and we all know the criteria. and i can name 5 guys who will play before chad will on a consistent basis not callups. granted some will come from this yrs draft but chad is more than likely a floater. not a top prospect. were going to be redoing these in a month so. dont get used to chad being there

ps.

same goes for hollweg. one year out of an injury. even though it was a good one does not vault him into the top 20. he wasnt there before the injury, thus he shouldnt be there after

ps.

same goes for hollweg. one year out of an injury. even though it was a good one does not vault him into the top 20. he wasnt there before the injury, thus he shouldnt be there after

At 20 most NHL teams have 4th liners and career AHL defenceman as prospects. We have pretty much the same. Vaulting into the top 10 is something, top 20 is pretty unnoticable. And dont call people an idiot for having an opinion, your merely showing your own stupidity.

Lets keep this on topic :dunno:

of the Rangers too, don't forget. This isn't the greatest list of prospects in the NHL. It's quite flawed right now. So #20 is pretty much a long shot. But personally, I think Chad's come a long way. He was drafted in the 8th round (he had decent numbers, but was a bit old when drafted), and he's done OK in the AHL. He didn't look out of place in the NHL. If he becomes a fourth liner, great. No team's top 20 all become first and second liners anyways.

cmon guys ---you now its not like that, but there is one person who is pushing the guy constantly, and we all know the criteria. and i can name 5 guys who will play before chad will on a consistent basis not callups. granted some will come from this yrs draft but chad is more than likely a floater. not a top prospect. were going to be redoing these in a month so. dont get used to chad being there

I dunno about all that. In terms of being NHL ready, I think Chad is one of the closest of the current Pack roster. Granted he will likely never be more than a 3rd/4th line type guy. I thought he was one of Hartford's best players this year and he's only 22, not ancient yet.

Give him a chance, he might surprise you next year.

Potter should get some more recognition as well. Here's a good article from February: http://www.greenandwhite.com/hockey/040219_msupotter_1c.html

big defenseman who's tough to play against, and who's vocal; a leader. Not bad qualities at all.

big defenseman who's tough to play against, and who's vocal; a leader. Not bad qualities at all.


"I think I'm playing with a little more tenacity. More grinding, checking and being physical,'' Potter said. "I leave the goals to (freshman defenseman) A.J. Thelen. "

I'm telling you guys, don't be surprised if Slats trades up from the Toronto pick for #7 or #8 & goes for Thelen.

"I think I'm playing with a little more tenacity. More grinding, checking and being physical,'' Potter said. "I leave the goals to (freshman defenseman) A.J. Thelen. "

I'm telling you guys, don't be surprised if Slats trades up from the Toronto pick for #7 or #8 & goes for Thelen.


That would be idiotic in my opinion. Trading up to get a defenseman? You think Thelen is worth lets say Poti, Soderberg, and O'Neill or any package similar to it?

"I think I'm playing with a little more tenacity. More grinding, checking and being physical,'' Potter said. "I leave the goals to (freshman defenseman) A.J. Thelen. "

I'm telling you guys, don't be surprised if Slats trades up from the Toronto pick for #7 or #8 & goes for Thelen.

Or if Olesz and Ladd are both gone at #6, and if Tukonen isn't on the Rangers' hot list, its all the more reason to expect Sather to go with Thelen with the first pick. I definately would not be opposed to that. When you've got Tyutin and Thelen as possible franchise defensemen down the road, as well as guys like Kondratiev, Pock, Baranka and Liffiton, it makes you feel pretty damn good about your defense corps for the future. Thats six guys who have a solid chance of becoming top 4 defensemen in the NHL.

That would be idiotic in my opinion. Trading up to get a defenseman? You think Thelen is worth lets say Poti, Soderberg, and O'Neill or any package similar to it?

No, but for Poti, an average prospect(or 2nd rounder) & #27, yes I would do that for Thelen.

No, but for Poti, an average prospect(or 2nd rounder) & #27, yes I would do that for Thelen.


so yes or no? you must be forgetting that those picks are players also. Thelen is not worth 3 good assets. At most we would move up to mid teens using Poti only. And take someone like Chipchura or Schremp or Picard or Stafford.

Or if Olesz and Ladd are both gone at #6, and if Tukonen isn't on the Rangers' hot list, its all the more reason to expect Sather to go with Thelen with the first pick. I definately would not be opposed to that. When you've got Tyutin and Thelen as possible franchise defensemen down the road, as well as guys like Kondratiev, Pock, Baranka and Liffiton, it makes you feel pretty damn good about your defense corps for the future. Thats six guys who have a solid chance of becoming top 4 defensemen in the NHL.


Or he could move down several spots and grab the player he wants and maybe another 2nd round pick as well.

"I think I'm playing with a little more tenacity. More grinding, checking and being physical,'' Potter said. "I leave the goals to (freshman defenseman) A.J. Thelen. "

I'm telling you guys, don't be surprised if Slats trades up from the Toronto pick for #7 or #8 & goes for Thelen.

I'd have no problem with that. Thelen's been steady riser from what I've seen, and this organization still needs a top pairing d-man. Plus, we get rid of Poti.

I'd have no problem with that. Thelen's been steady riser from what I've seen, and this organization still needs a top pairing d-man. Plus, we get rid of Poti.

This draft has a good crop of defensemen, many of them are really not much worse than Thelen. I would rather grab one or two in the 2nd round than trade a ton to be able to draft Thelen.

This draft has a good crop of defensemen, many of them are really not much worse than Thelen. I would rather grab one or two in the 2nd round than trade a ton to be able to draft Thelen.


Yea, let's trade down so we can have 7 second round picks :shakehead

Yea, let's trade down so we can have 7 second round picks :shakehead

7 2nd rounders? right now we have 5 if we don't sign Umberger.

what is wrong with getting 1 or 2 more?

Look at the players that were available in 2nd round last year: O'Sullivan, Urquhart, Eriksson, Baranka, Mirnov, Howard, Liffiton, Fritsche, Stehlik, Bergeron, Hennessy, etc.

This year there will be plenty too GRACIK, LEPISTO, OGORODNIKOV, SINDEL, KASPAR, LISIN, HEDMAN, SODERBERG, GARLOCK, BICKELL, BERTI, TESLIUK, MEIDL, PINEAULT, WHARTON, O'NEILL, etc. are likely to go in the 2nd round or late 1st.

7 2nd rounders? right now we have 5 if we don't sign Umberger.

what is wrong with getting 1 or 2 more?

Look at the players that were available in 2nd round last year: O'Sullivan, Urquhart, Eriksson, Baranka, Mirnov, Howard, Liffiton, Fritsche, Stehlik, Bergeron, Hennessy, etc.

This year there will be plenty too GRACIK, LEPISTO, OGORODNIKOV, SINDEL, KASPAR, LISIN, HEDMAN, SODERBERG, GARLOCK, BICKELL, BERTI, TESLIUK, MEIDL, PINEAULT, WHARTON, O'NEILL, etc. are likely to go in the 2nd round or late 1st.

We have a nice young core of 3rd and 4th line forwards. We have guys who will be 3rd pairing d-men or a little better like Pock, Baranka, Liffiton.. etc...

We need to take the BEST PLAYERS we can get. We need the player who can be a top pairing defenseman or top line forward. I'll trade up for Thelen at 7 or 8 because I'd rather take a shot on a guy who could be a top pairing defenseman as opposed to Poti, and a couple nice 2nd rounders. We have 5 second rounders... We can deal 3 and still have two left to grab the players that we feel have the brightest futures. Thats the beauty of having five 2nds. We have options. We could walk out of this draft with a guy like Ladd/Tukonen/Olesz and Thelen who some say is the best d-man in the draft. In addition we can grab 2 guys who our scouts like the most in the 2nd round. Thats what we need to try and do. I'll take that any day over one of Ladd/Tukonen/Ladd and 5 solid picks. The depth we have - the blue chippers we don't.

We have a nice young core of 3rd and 4th line forwards. We have guys who will be 3rd pairing d-men or a little better like Pock, Baranka, Liffiton.. etc...

We need to take the BEST PLAYERS we can get. We need the player who can be a top pairing defenseman or top line forward. I'll trade up for Thelen at 7 or 8 because I'd rather take a shot on a guy who could be a top pairing defenseman as opposed to Poti, and a couple nice 2nd rounders. We have 5 second rounders... We can deal 3 and still have two left to grab the players that we feel have the brightest futures. Thats the beauty of having five 2nds. We have options. We could walk out of this draft with a guy like Ladd/Tukonen/Olesz and Thelen who some say is the best d-man in the draft. In addition we can grab 2 guys who our scouts like the most in the 2nd round. Thats what we need to try and do. I'll take that any day over one of Ladd/Tukonen/Ladd and 5 solid picks. The depth we have - the blue chippers we don't.


the problem is that besides Ovechkin and Malkin the next 40 prospects are not that clear cut and not a whole lot better than one another, so there is no point giving up so much for Thelen. This is after all pretty much a crapshoot and Thelen just like any other could turn out to be a bust or suffer a career ending injury.

the problem is that besides Ovechkin and Malkin the next 40 prospects are not that clear cut and not a whole lot better than one another, so there is no point giving up so much for Thelen. This is after all pretty much a crapshoot and Thelen just like any other could turn out to be a bust or suffer a career ending injury.

I disagree... I think a guy like Thelen could be a #1 d-man some day. He's not just as likely a boom or bust that you'd get in the second. Just because people say that AO, and Malkin are the best two before a drop off doesnt mean everyone else is on equal footing. Sure drafting can be somewhat of a crapshoot but I think your gravely mistaken if you think a Ladd, Thelen, Olesz is just as likely to bust as a guy 40th overall. Could they bust? Sure, anyone could, but that doesnt mean they are all on the same level.

As far as just likely to get injured... what does that mean? Sure, anyone could get hurt, but you can't draft scared. If someone gives you a cause for concern thats one thing... but you cant just say its not worth it because he could be hurt. We know what Poti is, and we know a couple 2nds could bring solid hockey players, but we don't need solid hockey players as much as we need a #1 or #2 d-man, and you can't deny Thelen has a much better chance then most to become that guy.

I disagree... I think a guy like Thelen could be a #1 d-man some day. He's not just as likely a boom or bust that you'd get in the second. Just because people say that AO, and Malkin are the best two before a drop off doesnt mean everyone else is on equal footing. Sure drafting can be somewhat of a crapshoot but I think your gravely mistaken if you think a Ladd, Thelen, Olesz is just as likely to bust as a guy 40th overall. Could they bust? Sure, anyone could, but that doesnt mean they are all on the same level.

As far as just likely to get injured... what does that mean? Sure, anyone could get hurt, but you can't draft scared. If someone gives you a cause for concern thats one thing... but you cant just say its not worth it because he could be hurt. We know what Poti is, and we know a couple 2nds could bring solid hockey players, but we don't need solid hockey players as much as we need a #1 or #2 d-man, and you can't deny Thelen has a much better chance then most to become that guy.


Just how much better do you think is Thelen than Green, Fistric, O'Neill, Hedman, Valabik, Wharton, Schultz, Meszaros, Smid, Rogers, Tesliuk, Fransson, Lyamin, etc? Trust me if he was so great he would be ranked a lot higher, but in every ranking so far he is not even in top 7. And my point is that most of these defensemen will likely be at least top 4. Nobody is being scared, but there is just no point making ridiculous trades to move up in a draft in order to draft a guy who might be a fraction better than a guy picked 30 spots lower. If it was only Poti and #36 pick I would do it, but it would cost us a lot more and I would not want to give up that much.

Just how much better do you think is Thelen than Green, Fistric, O'Neill, Hedman, Valabik, Wharton, Schultz, Meszaros, Smid, Rogers, Tesliuk, Fransson, Lyamin, etc? Trust me if he was so great he would be ranked a lot higher, but in every ranking so far he is not even in top 7. And my point is that most of these defensemen will likely be at least top 4. Nobody is being scared, but there is just no point making ridiculous trades to move up in a draft in order to draft a guy who might be a fraction better than a guy picked 30 spots lower. If it was only Poti and #36 pick I would do it, but it would cost us a lot more and I would not want to give up that much.

Some of those guys I like more then others, but I personally think Thelen is a head above them. I'm not saying trade up at all costs, but we could afford to overpay a bit if need be. I would send #26, one of our 2 lesser seconds, and a player to get him. If the player is a little better, then I would turn the 26th to 36th.

thelan might end up in the top five and if we could ever get him at 7 or 8 it could go down as the steal of the draft.

Some of those guys I like more then others, but I personally think Thelen is a head above them. I'm not saying trade up at all costs, but we could afford to overpay a bit if need be. I would send #26, one of our 2 lesser seconds, and a player to get him. If the player is a little better, then I would turn the 26th to 36th.

And in any case we do not have a weakness on defense (in prospect terms), so I believe there is no reason to rush and overpay for a defenseman prospect, especially a one who is unproven yet. We must try to draft skilled hard working forwards with some size that can develop into top 2 liners. But definitely get several big defensemen that fall into our lap. 2nd round is a strength for us now, we can really come away with some steals, no need to turn it into a weakness and trade half those picks away.

thelan might end up in the top five and if we could ever get him at 7 or 8 it could go down as the steal of the draft.


it would only be a steal of the draft if he develops into a next Jovonovski or Aucoin. And we wouldn't know that for several more years. But it would be even bigger steal if the same turns true for a defenseman we take in the 2nd round.

it would only be a steal of the draft if he develops into a next Jovonovski or Aucoin. And we wouldn't know that for several more years. But it would be even bigger steal if the same turns true for a defenseman we take in the 2nd round.
dude if the rangers trade 2 second round picks they still have three more. i doubt it would even cost that much to move up from 24 but even if it did who cares?

I think one team that really wants a defenseman like Thelen(I think they are really lacking defenemen prospects) is Carolina. We could take advantage and move down 2 spots and get a 2nd rounder in return, we could throw in the likes of Heerema and Stals if they are interested.

I think one team that really wants a defenseman like Thelen(I think they are really lacking defenemen prospects) is Carolina. We could take advantage and move down 2 spots and get a 2nd rounder in return, we could throw in the likes of Heerema and Stals if they are interested.
no team is interested in garbage like herema and stals. the rangers don't need anymore second round picks.

dude if the rangers trade 2 second round picks they still have three more. i doubt it would even cost that much to move up from 24 but even if it did who cares?

I care, I want 5 or 6 steals like Baranka and Tyutin.

no team is interested in garbage like herema and stals. the rangers don't need anymore second round picks.

You can never have too many picks, if we get a lot we could use a few to trade up into early 20's or late teens.

I care, I want 5 or 6 steals like Baranka and Tyutin.
perhaps in a deep draft you can get that but a second round pick this year is like a 4th or 5 any other year. why do you think teams were so willing to give up a second round pick this year? two teams have a total of 8 or 9 second round picks between washington and the rangers. the rangers need to get as many high picks as they can. i would give up every pick for a chance to get olesz and thelan. i think most rangers fans would too.

perhaps in a deep draft you can get that but a second round pick this year is like a 4th or 5 any other year. why do you think teams were so willing to give up a second round pick this year? two teams have a total of 8 or 9 second round picks between washington and the rangers. the rangers need to get as many high picks as they can. i would give up every pick for a chance to get olesz and thelan. i think most rangers fans would too.


no you are wrong, this draft is as deep as any, it just lacks great talent in top 10 or so. Last year's top 10 were much stronger. This year's 2nd rounders is as deep as any.

Note to Mods: Please close this thread, as this round of the poll is over.

no you are wrong, this draft is as deep as any, it just lacks great talent in top 10 or so. Last year's top 10 were much stronger. This year's 2nd rounders is as deep as any.
dude this is the weakest draft in years. do some research.

dude this is the weakest draft in years. do some research.


Yeah sure, just like 1999 was one of the "deepest". :shakehead