Prospect updates and updates on a potential new roster addition in today’s New York Rangers Blueshirt Beat.
The official New York Rangers Twitter account posted some updates on the Rangers prospects that have already begun playing. The prospects mentioned are all playing in Europe, but an interesting note is that it appears this year’s first round pick Filip Chytil will once again play in the Czech League.
Top goaltending prospect Igor Shesterkin opens up play in the KHL after a monster season last year. The 2014 draft choice went 31-4-1 last season to go along with a 1.64 GAA and a .937 SV% and eight shutouts, which were all career highs.
The Rangers appear to be very high on him, although it’s unclear on when he will make his North American debut.
“His best attributes are his ability to read the play, stay composed and control rebounds,” said Nickolai Bobrov, the Rangers’ Director of European Scouting. “[He is] a very technically sound goalie. He is mature beyond his years and is a proven big-game player.”
In other news, it appears the Rangers have emerged as a front-runner for Harvard Center Alexander Kerfoot. Obviously, the quick connection is the void at center, as well as Kerfoot being Jimmy Vesey‘s former linemate at Harvard.
Kerfoot is a small, quick and skilled center but the jury is out on whether or not he can be a successful NHLer. He put up respectable numbers at Harvard and progressed every year, finishing as a Captain and a Hobey Baker Finalist.
Read more about Kerfoot and his interest in the Rangers here, in Frank Curto’s article.