While the New York Rangers continue to focus on putting together next year’s team, we catch you up with news on a pair of prospects.
Filip Chytil on Czech Republic’s Top Line
New York Rangers prospect Filip Chytil is wearing the “A” on his jersey as he skates on the Czech Republic’s top line in preparation for the World Junior Championships in December.
Playing in an exhibition game against Finland, Chytil scored his first goal on a pretty backdoor feed from Martin Kaut. Alex Nunn of Pro Hockey News has the video.
That wasn’t the only highlight provided by the Rangers’ first-round pick (21st overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft. ESPN’s Corey Proman provides the highlights of Chytil’s fancy stick-handling.
It might only be exhibition play, but it’s hard not to get excited about a guy who can shoot and handle the puck like Chytil can.
Cristoval Nieves Has His Sights Set on Opening Night
Injuries limited Nieves to just 40 games in his first professional season playing for the Hartford Wolfpack. He finished the year with 18 points, netting 6 goals and providing 12 assists. He was called up for one game for the Rangers last year and had 11 minutes of playing time against Vancouver. Nieves feels he learned a lot this year and has his sights on making the opening day line up with the Rangers.
He was called up for one game for the Rangers last year and had 11 minutes of playing time against Vancouver on Nov. 15. He finished the game minus-1, winning three-of-seven faceoffs.
Despite the injuries, Nieves feels he learned a lot this year and has his sights on making the opening day line up with the Rangers.
“I think it was a good first season,” Nieves told Matt Calamia of the team’s official website Monday at the organization’s Junior Rangers youth hockey camp. “It was definitely frustrating at times when I wasn’t playing as well or wasn’t fully healthy all the time, but it is what it is. I’m kind of glad I got that kind of season out of the way because hopefully, it’s just up from here now.”
Nieves was skating with the Junior Rangers as the third week of camp began for the youngsters. He even gathered everyone together for a selfie on the ice. It looks like fun was had by all.