Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park takes a look at a number of Ranger prospects including the first games back for World Junior Championship gold medalists Derek Stepan, Ryan Bourque and Chris Kreider...Derek Stepan (2008 2nd) has been a player on fire for the last couple of months and Friday evening was no different. Stepan in his first counting game action since winning the gold medal as part of Team USA had a goal as well as 2 assists as 3rd ranked Wisconsin defeated 8th ranked Colorado College on the road 4-0...Stepan has played himself into Hobey Baker consideration as wouldn't it be nice if the Rangers laid claim to back to back Hobey Baker winners?
Ryan Bourque
Like Patrick Roy or not, one has to give him credit for knowing how to use his players. While just about every other coach put their World Under-20 players right back to work; Roy gave Ryan Bourque (2009 3rd) a couple of games off to rest.
It paid dividends as Bourque set up the tying goal and scored one of his own as his Quebec Remparts came from behind to defeat the Gatineau Olympiques 4-3 in the shootout.
Chris Kreider (2009 1st) was scoreless but took 3 shots and was a +1 as the 12th ranked Boston College Eagles had little trouble with the Maine Black Bears 6-1. The name of the game is winning so when your team is 12-6-2 like Boston College is then nobody can complain about the numbers that Kreider is or is not putting up.
...nice to see no World Junior Championship hangover for these guys.
4 comments:
Don't let Kreider off easy. He has 5 points in 17 games at BC. I've seen him play a hand full of times at BC and he is not even noticeable.
Jason, what's with you hating on Kreider? He's a freshman--a kid--and developing nicely. His WJC performance was great and now he's back to learning the ropes against players who are mostly older in a good BC system. Relax.
I'm with you James. No need to hate on Kreider especially after his performance at WJC.
I hate his pick in the draft. They took too much of a risk for a first rounder. He is playing against good players at BC (most of them won't even come close to the NHL) and he hasn't done much. You look at a Colin Wilson, A Gilroy, A Ryan Shannon, Patrick Eaves and they were the best players on the ice while they were freshman. I just think they should have played it more safe with their pick. Maybe a Jordan Shroader. The Rangers take too many chances with their high draft picks. Anyone remember Billy Ryan. They drafted him out of high school same as Kreider. Billy did decent of the U of Maine and hasnt even come close to making the NHL.
He got some points in the JR tournament by beating up on countries like Zimbabwe.
My gut tells me this kid is a bust.
Post a Comment