Now that the NHL draft is over, the New York Rangers get the opportunity to take a look at all of their young talent as the team hosts the Prospect Development Camp.
Vitaly Kravtsov, K’Andre Miller, Nils Lundkvist, along with the other six selections the organization made in last weekend’s NHL draft are all here, as the New York Rangers kicked off their annual Prospect Development Camp at the MSG Training Center.
The Rangers two first-round picks from the 2017 NHL Draft, Lias Andersson, and Filip Chytil, along with the three players acquired in February at the trade deadline, Libor Hajek, Brett Howden and Ryan Lindgren, will all be on this ice this week as well.
The 36 players invited to camp took to the ice in three different practice groups on Monday. The players will be broken down into teams and the will play in scrimmage games on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, which begin at 10:00 a.m. ET each day.
Lias Andersson will not skate today as his equipment hasn’t arrived yet from Europe. #NYRPDC
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
In reality, 35 players took the ice today, as Lias Andersson was unable to skate in practice as his equipment has not arrived yet from Sweden.
The roster for the camp was announced on Sunday and includes some familiar names such as Gabriel Fontaine, Ty Ronning, Tim Gettinger, Sean Day and Alexandar Georgiev.
#NYR prospect development camp starts tomorrow!
The roster includes Kravtsov, Miller Lundkvist & the rest of the 2018 #NYRDraft class along with 2017 1st rounders Andersson & Chytil as well as acquisitions Hajek, Howden & Lindgren.
Full #NYRPDC roster ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/X5wuvIW23f
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 24, 2018
The first practice group that hit the ice on Monday morning consisted of Chytil, Day, Michael Lindqvist, Georgiev and three 2018 draft selections. Those selections being Nico Gross, Joey Keane, and Simon Kjellberg.
Group 1 is on the ice, including @filip_chytil, @Sean74Day, @MLindqvist34, Georgiev, and 2018 picks Gross, Keane and Kjellberg. #NYRPDC pic.twitter.com/KVwCfErCqj
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
Group two hit the ice about two hours later and included Kravstov, Lundkvist, Howden, Libor Hajek, Ryan Lindgren and Adam Huska in goal.
Group 2 hits the ice, including Kravtsov, Lundkvist, @B_Howdy21, @libas42, @Lindiesal and more. #NYRPDC pic.twitter.com/Ucw3WknmDI
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
Kravstov wasted no time showing off his talent as he scored a “soft hands” goal early on in practice.
Kravtsov with the soft ?. #NYRPDC pic.twitter.com/ONYLPfc6U9
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
K’Andre Miller led group three in their practice along with Ty Ronning.
Group 3’s turn. @TyRonning7, @kandre_miller, Lindbom and more. #NYRPDC pic.twitter.com/0XCkCzfUvo
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
Earlier in the day, Miller showed off his New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp shirt, with this years theme “Count On Us” on the front. Miller is a player many have spoken about as the Rangers traded up in the draft to select him.
Though he will be going to Wisconsin this year, the future looks very bright for him as a Blueshirt.
? #NYR prospect @kandre_miller rocking the new #NYRPDC shirt. pic.twitter.com/ZL2232jLy9
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
What the players had to say
Some of the Rangers prospects spoke with the team’s official Twitter account, to talk about how the first day went and their expectations for the future.
Brett Howden spoke how he wants to “makes a good first impression” as he looks for a chance to make it to Rangers training camp in September.
"I'm just trying to make a good first impression." — @B_Howdy21 on his first day at #NYRPDC, and his hopes of going into training camp to compete for a spot with #NYR. pic.twitter.com/dkCv6nOuQc
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
Miller had a tough flight to New York and spoke about the decision to go to Wisconsin next season.
After a tough ✈️ to New York, @kandre_miller reflects on his first day on the ice with #NYR at #NYRPDC, including his decision to go to the University of Wisconsin, getting to know his fellow 1st rounders and more. pic.twitter.com/vAniEIw6vZ
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
Goaltender Olof Lindbom feels he as a good chance to compete and believes he has an excellent opportunity in front of him.
“I like to compete, and I think I’ve got a chance. I’m excited.”
“I like to compete, and I think I’ve got a chance. I’m excited.”#NYR goaltending prospect Olof Lindbom on getting drafted, watching @HLundqvist30 and much more after today at #NYRPDC. pic.twitter.com/giNhsoUwRP
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
New York Rangers first-round draft pick in 2017, Filip Chytil, spoke about needing to show the team his best so that he can play in the NHL, and discussed the first time he met new head coach Dave Quinn.
#NYR @filip_Chytil was back on the ice for the opening day of #NYRPDC! Hear what he told reporters on Monday. pic.twitter.com/axmY9bEUAu
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 25, 2018
A lot of energy was seen in the ice and in the locker room. This may be one of the best prospect camps the Rangers have hosted in many seasons.
Now if someone can please find Lias Andersson’s equipment, please get that done.
