New York Rangers Blueshirt Beat, 8/24/17: Kerfoot Signing and Prospect News
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: Lias Andersson poses for photos after being selected seventh overall by the New York Rangers during the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Read all about some schedule updates for some prospects, the Alexander Kerfoot signing, and more in the Blueshirt Beat.

It appears Harvard Center Alexander Kerfoot has signed elsewhere as the Colorado Avalanche has won the sweepstakes. Kerfoot will most likely get an extended look as a Top Six option with their team, as players like Duchene and Mackinnon have often been moved to wings. It seemed logical, the fit between Kerfoot and the New York Rangers, with the center void and the Vesey connection. But it appears the Rangers must look elsewhere for their center help. The trade market it still an option with names like Duchene and Nugent-Hopkins out of Edmonton floating around. However, the costs required to acquire one of these names is much too high for the Rangers at this junction.

In prospect news, Rangers first round pick Lias Andersson will take the ice for Frolunda this upcoming weekend. You can see his schedule below here.

Andersson will take on a good role with Frolunda, Henrik’s former team, and barring a major upset in camp, will play the season in Sweden. A great place to develop, Frolunda has produced many big names and many draft picks including Daniel Alfredsson, Loui Eriksson, Alex Steen, oh and some guy named Erik Karlsson. If he doesn’t wind up making the big club, look for this to be a big year for Andersson, with both Frolunda and, hopefully, the Swedish World Junior team.

Another name to watch out for is Finnish Defenseman Tarmo Reunanen. Although he was a fourth-round pick, he had an injury-riddled draft season and many experts claim him to be more of a “2nd or 3rd rd Talent.” He put up four points in seven games at last year’s World Juniors. A modern-day smooth skating offensive defenseman, he has similar point totals to Leafs first round Pick Timothy Liljegren. It will be interesting to see how this young man continues to develop. Back in 2015, the website EliteProspects.com had this to say about Reunanen.

Reunanen is an offensive minded defenceman who can carry the puck, dangle through traffic and set up his teammates. While he relies on his offensive skills, he is not a defensive liability. Poised and calm in his own end. Doesn’t shy away from physical play.

The Rangers have had some extremely good luck with some late round picks, so Reunanen could be a nice pick on the back end. That’s all for today Rangers fans, stay tuned for more Rangers news in tomorrow’s Blueshirt Beat.

That’s all for today, Rangers fans. Stay tuned for more news in tomorrow’s Blueshirt Beat.

Neal Purcell has a tremendous passion for New York Rangers hockey and the sport of hockey in general. A graduate of SUNY Cortland in Upstate NY, Purcell coaches both a high school hockey team and a travel team in the winter. Purcell is also a part of a small family business in the Central New York Region.