Saturday, July 31, 2010

Ranger Prospects Not Being Given a Chance

Jess Rubestein at The Prospect Park says he doesn't buy what the Rangers are selling regarding giving young guys a chance this year...

"Missing the playoffs could be something to handle if there was a long term goal that was being built upon. But sadly despite the hype, Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan and Evgeny Grachev might have to hope for serious injury or an early exit from playoff contention in order to have a shot at wearing Ranger jerseys for more than a cameo appearance next season."

...i hear what Jess is saying, but a lot of these prospects probably aren't ready for a full time role with the Rangers this season, so getting loads of playing time down in Hartford combined with some "cameo" appearances for the Blueshirts may not be the worst thing.

...i've been on the give the prospects a chance bandwagon all summer, but I think easing them in while fine tuning their game in Hartford is probably the best way to go. Plus lots of contracts are up next year including Dubinsky, Callahan, Boyle, Prospal, Frolov, Gilroy and Emminger meaning there should be plenty of room for increased playing time with an eye on 2012 (when Drury, Avery and Rozy come off the books) for these guys to play a serious role.

...maybe I'm naive but I do think the Rangers have a long term goal for our prospects and I for one am excited for it.

...what do you think? Do the Rangers have a long term goal for their prospects?

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8 comments:

Jesse said...

All of us know that there won't be a lot of prospects up with the rangers this year. Jess Rubenstein even wrote an article a few weeks ago titled "2010 won't be prospect friendly." I don't know why he seems angry about it. I've accepted that. As you said, Kevin, most of our prospects aren't even ready, so I'd rather wait until they are, rather than them just getting 5 minutes on the 4th line. Let them develop further, and when they're ready, hopefully the wait is worth it.

Unknown said...

I agree. In the last couple of years, the prospects with the most potential have been brought up to the Big Show. This year, one or two more might make it. And none of the more promising have been traded away for NHL retirement candidates. Incredibly enough, It really does seem that the Ranger front office is thinking long-term instead of short-term. With expiring contracts and upcoming prospects, the next couple of seasons could very well result in a REAL contender.

Rob Y said...

You said it perfect at the end. We have a lot of room coming the next two years when a lot of our contracts and two big contracts expire. This is the year hartford really molds our youth. I wouldn't be surprised to see hartford take there championship in the ahl this year. A year down in hartford for our big prospects is gonna do some big things for them. Its very hard to transition from college to the nhl, that's what the ahl is for. Out of those three listed grachev has the biggest chance to make the team, and on another note, I think torts is pushing for anisimov to push for number one center this year, and if he's not he will definitely be our second line center say with a russian winger like frolov. He scored 13 goals with very limited ice time last year especially when he was dropped to the 4th line. I expect him to score 20 and hit the 50 point mark this year.... you heard it from me first mrk my words.......

LI Joe said...

jess seems to talk from both sides of the mouth. he has stated mdz should not have been a ranger last year and yet he is bemoaning that stepan is not going to get a chance. well the college season is 1/2 the length of a pro season. the ahl will serve him well.

the only thing i can think of is since mdz was juniors and i believe jess watches that more than the college game. so since stepan is a college guy that could be why jess is pushing for him to get into nhl.

seems like he is just another impatient fan.

Dennis said...

I saw Grachev a few times last year on the Wolfpack and he wasn't that impressive. I highly doubt if he makes the Rangers this year.

My big concern with this team is less about what they say and more about what they do, and what they have been doing is keeping prospect in the AHL too long, to the point where they lose their confidence and managements confidence in them.

I could totally see them keeping Stepan and McDonagh in the AHL for several years and then trade them away because they couldn't find a roster spot.

Rangers are also impatient. They might give these kids a few weeks to see what they've got but if they don't exceed expectations, they're sent down. They need to play these youngsters no matter what happens, like they did with DelZotto. But you know that won't happen.

ry-man said...

only camp will tell where the prospects stand.

LTP said...

Jess is a blowhard & has always been I swear to hear him talk is repulsive, he repulses me more than does Carp who is another in the long line of know it all douche bags who pontificate about our team & yet are to scared to put in print anything that might go outside of the popular belief. Jess Rubenstein should just stick to kissing ass in the press box like he does every night to see him begging for some scoop to the beat guys is hysterical & leave the Ranger talk to the true fans. I follow our prospects as close as I do the big team & Ryan McDonaugh & Derek Stepan will make this team & make an impact on the roster out of camp imo.

Anonymous said...

I love the New York Rangers Blog, but I am constantly amazed when a
post from the know nothing Jess rubenstein is posted. I would say that
I am the average ranger fan, and it is apparent to me that this guy
knows nothing about hockey. He was against the gaborik signing last
year, and now acts like he said nothing about it. He is constantly
stressing how Sather is such a bad GM because he always wants to win.
Last time I checked that is his job, to win! Jess is also constantly
writing about no name prospects as if they were drafted in the first
round. If I have to read another post about Sam Klassen I might throw
up. He acts like prospects are a sure thing, when we all know that
nobody knows how these things will truly work out. Here is a
revolutionary idea, Derek Stepan may be the next Brandon Dubinsky, an
overrated third line center who everybody loves because e is home
grown. Maybe he will be the next Mark Messier, but nobody knows and
that's the point. We all cry that this team loses every year, but
putting too many eggs in the unproven prospect basket is surly not the
way to success. Prospects need to be brought along slowly and
incrementally. Having three rookie defensmen is no way to win, which
is by the way the reason why we play the games. Also, none of the
above rant touches on the fact that Jess Rubenstein will never be
anything in the world of sports journalism, simply because he writes
like my third sister. Maybe this guy should spend less time scouting
career minor leaguers and more time in the spell check box on word.