The New York Ranger prospects continue their camp and experience of NHL life in New York City. Hear from the players and see who fared well in the first inter-squad scrimmage.
The Brett Howden Spotlight
Lost in all the fuss over this offseason is the acquisition of center Brett Howden.
Howden, who felt these first days were actually his first as a New York Ranger (despite being traded in February), is still very much alive in the battle for centers 1-4 on the big club. Howden is blessed with size, skating ability and a “chip” on his shoulder after dealt a crushing blow a few years ago.
#NYR Good piece on Brett Howden https://t.co/E8jMpqIKTp https://t.co/E8jMpqIKTp
— RangerProud (@RangerProud) June 27, 2018
He sure felt right at home heading into New York City, growing up a huge fan of the hit TV show “Friends.”
"I'm a diehard fan of Friends, so New York City has always been special for me. If only Central Perk was a real place, I'd be there in a second."@B_Howdy21 is in NYC for the first time and keeping a journal throughout #NYRPDC! ?⤵️
?: https://t.co/CrX8TyDG4J pic.twitter.com/6TJz0W3uIi
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 27, 2018
Howden is coming off a monster Junior Hockey season with 75 points in 49 WHL games and is also only a year removed from a short stint in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch where he tallied three goals and one assist in five games.
Howden also recorded two assists in three playoff games that season. That experience alone gives him an upper hand on most at this development camp.
Speaking of Experience ...
Lias Andersson feels he is much more ready to compete for a spot this season as opposed to last year due to his cup of coffee with the big club.
It’s been a whirlwind ride for Andersson, from competing in the Men’s World Championships for Gold medal-winning Sweden to training to make the Rangers.
"Playing those seven games was huge for me … It helped my confidence and hopefully I can bring that into camp here." @liasandersson bringing experience with #NYR, Swedish National Team back to #NYRPDC
?: https://t.co/QjxFf7kAYA pic.twitter.com/7PbguNqcH1
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 27, 2018
Inter-squad Scrimmage
First scrimmage of #NYRPDC is about to begin. pic.twitter.com/DURKUpJocj
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 27, 2018
The Rangers held the first team scrimmage today with Team Blue taking the win by way of a shootout. Dawson Leedahl, who split last season between the AHL and ECHL, started things off for Team Blue with an early goal.
Dawson Leedahl gives the Blue team the 1-0 lead. #NYRPDC
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 27, 2018
Shortly after, defensive prospect Libor Hajek tallied a goal of his own for Team White to tie things up.
Hajek snaps a shot in off the post to tie the game for White. #NYRPDC
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 27, 2018
Finnish prospect Ville Meskanen tallied two goals for Team White and momentarily gave them a 3-2 lead. But Team Blue stormed back to tie things up quickly, and Filip Chytil ultimately gave Team Blue a 4-3 lead.
Chytil puts Blue back in front 4-3. #NYRPDC
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 27, 2018
Prospect Gabriel Fontaine provided the highlight of what could be the entire week, channeling his inner Nikita Kucherov on this nifty shootout move.
Blue takes it 5-4 in the shootout on this beauty by @fonty_37. #NYRPDC pic.twitter.com/vlObo7JTvE
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 27, 2018
Fontaine is supremely skilled but hasn’t quite been able to put things together even at the Junior level. However, this move is surefire evidence of the skill this kid has.
The visit to MSG
#NYR prospects pulling up for a tour @TheGarden ? pic.twitter.com/jKQEowMcgt
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 27, 2018
#NYRPDC have arrived @TheGarden! pic.twitter.com/yncifmCPLT
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 27, 2018
Led by Hockey Operations Adviser Brian Leetch, the prospects got their first taste of what the world’s most famous arena had to offer. The prospects sat in the locker room, toured the facilities and were shown a movie on the scoreboard screen.
#NYRPDC visiting the new sports exhibit @Sept11Memorial. #NYR pic.twitter.com/nm5mctCMwB
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 27, 2018
What the players had to say
The Rangers posted interviews with several more prospects today including defenseman Simon Kjellberg, who was drafted in this year’s sixth round.
… as well as third-round draft pick, defenseman Jacob Ragnarsson from Sweden.
Big defenseman Libor Hajek did not beat around the bush when asked about his intentions for next season. The left-handed defenseman was quick to answer that he wants to make this team right out of the gate.
That wraps up day three news from prospect development camp. Stay tuned for any more information regarding camp or free agent news with free agency starting soon.
Also, at least we know Vitaly Kravtsov is a dog guy.
Update on number of dogs pet:
Kravtsov – 2
Wahlstrom – 0Thanks to @Josh_Khalfin for this extremely important update pic.twitter.com/nGTMeX8RHx
— Tweet Stemkowski (@lackinggrit) June 27, 2018