HF: Rangers rank 17th in team prospect rankings

Hockey’s Future released its updated tea prospect rankings, and the Rangers have fallen quite a few spots to #17 overall. A few years ago, the Rangers were much higher in these rankings, but have dropped as many of their top prospects (Michael Del Zotto, Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin, etc) have graduated from the prospect ranks.

One of the main strengths HF notes is that the Rangers have built their prospect depth based on speed. When three of the top five prospects are Brady Skjei (fast), Chris Kreider (faster), and Jesper Fast (fastest), then that speed thing is kind of in your face obvious.

The ranking includes the usual quip about the Rangers not having any real successor to The King’s throne, but there’s no real need at this point. The lack of depth is worrisome, but that’s it with the goaltender position. There’s a new quip about not having a top center in the system, but with Brad Richards signed until I’m 40 and Derek Stepan backing him up, there’s no immediate need there either.