3/7/19: The Rangers prospect group was ranked 2nd overall by Peters at ESPN.
3/6/19: Chris Peters of ESPN.com lists Kravstov at 11, Shesterkin at 33 and Miller at 37 on his list of Top 50 prospects.
1/23/19: TSN ‘s Craig Button lists Vitali Kravtsov at #1 in his ranking of top NHL-affiliated prospects.
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Button writes that Kravtsov is “highly skilled” and an “offensive threat” with a combination of “speed, power, shot and finish.”
He notes that Kravtsov has played some center this season and that his style of play is “similar” to former Ranger Rick Nash.
Button also has Igor Shesterkin ranked 10th and Lias Andersson 28th.
The Athletic’s Corey Pronman has Kravtsov 11th in his mid-season rankings, K’Andre Miller 47th and Igor Shesterkin as his number one goalie.
In The Hockey News‘ Prospect Issue, from earlier in the year, they ranked the top 100 players/prospects under 21 and the Rangers had:
- 66: Lias Andersson: “Lost NHL roster spot to Brett Howden in training camp, but long-term Andersson has a speedy two-way game.”
- 67: Vitali Kravtsov: “Monster playoff effort vaulted him into top 10 of 2018 Draft. Kravtstov has great hands and a hulking frame. His KJL contract ends this April, too.”
- 74: Filip Chytil: “Can carry the offense with his puck skills and speed. Strong play without the puck makes him an intriguing all-around prospect who’s ready for the NHL.”
- 96: K’Andre Miller: “Awesome two-way potential thanks to his athleticism and mobility on the back end. Was NTDP standout.”
In ranking the prospects the Rangers have in their farm system, The Hockey News listed:
- Blue Chippers: Lias Andersson, Vitali Kravtsov, Libor Hajek, Nils Lundqvist, K’Andre Miller, Igor Shesterkin
- B-List Prospects: Ryan Lindgren, Yegor Rykov, Adam Huska, Olof Lindbom
- Sleepers: Morgan Barron, Sean Day, Joey Keane, Jacob Ragnarsson
The Hockey News wrote in a recent issue that Shesterkin is an “agile netminder” and someone that is “worth waiting for.”
Chris Drury said in early January that Kravtsov has “high end skill, elite hockey sense.”
From the Rangers Prospect report on 1/21:
- “Kravtsov was the only teenager who participated in the 2019 KHL All-Star Game. Among KHL players younger than 20 years old, Kravtsov ranks first in assists and points, and is tied for first in goals thus far in 2018-19.”
- “Miller leads Wisconsin in assists, points, and plus/minus rating in 2018-19; in the 20 games he has played, he has been on the ice for 32 of Wisconsin’s 63 goals (50.8%). In addition, Miller is tied for second among NCAA freshmen defensemen in points this season.”
Adam Rotter: While Kravtsov will almost certainly be in North American at the end of this season or next season, there is definite debate about how soon K’Andre Miller should turn pro. Miller is having a terrific season at Wisconsin but he’s still raw, new to defense and has the option to play three more seasons in college. I think it makes sense for Miller to stay at Wisconsin for at least another year, if not two, to continue to develop and harness his abilities. There is just no rush for him to turn pro, especially when he is at a place like Wisconsin where he can work with former NHLers and hopefully follow in the footsteps of another former first round pick/badger defenseman. Ryan McDonagh spent three years at Wisconsin, and then some time in the AHL, before joining the Rangers for good. Chris Kreider is probably the better comparison because when he was drafted he was as raw and oozing with potential like Miller. Kreider spent three years at BC, was up and down for a bit in the AHL and has really only turned the corner towards being a consistent and core player over the past couple of years. With guys like Lindgren, Hajek, and maybe John Gilmour, already in Hartford, the Rangers can afford to wait and let Miller develop in college.