Ranking the Rangers top prospects for 2017-18

The 2017-18 season will be one of change for the New York Rangers. The team landed the biggest free-agent fish in the UFA pond with defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, while also adding back up goaltender Ondrej Pavelec and forward David Desharnais. Both Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta were traded to the Arizona Coyotes, while Dan Girardi was bought out and both Kevin Klein and Brandon Pirri bolted for Europe. 

Call it a shuffling of the deck or a massive overhaul, but it’s pretty clear the team will look different in 2017-18. Might the team also try to inject some youth into their lineup moving forward? Rookies Jimmy Vesey and Brady Skjei took major steps in 2016-17, so who’ll be the next freshman to impress when training camp starts in the Fall?

Let’s take a look at the Rangers’ top 3 prospects for 2017-18:

Pavel Buchnevich

I’m giving some serious leeway to the “prospect” status with Buchnevich, but because he managed to only play 41 games in 2016-17 and looks to have so much more to give, he makes the list. The 22-year-old Russian sniper potted eight goals and 20 points in those 41 games and has only scratched the surface of his true potential. Look for him to break out for 20 goals and 40+ points if given a regular role next season.

Anthony DeAngelo

Acquired from the Coyotes as part of the Stepan/Raanta trade earlier this offseason, DeAngelo is a divisive player with undeniable offensive talent. The 22-year-old defenseman has been traded twice in his young career, but is poised to finally earn a full-time spot in the NHL with the Rangers in 2017-18. He put up five goals and 14 points in 39 games with the Coyotes last season and has the potential to put up 35+ points if given a full-time role with the Rangers next season.

Lias Andersson

The 7th overall selection, also acquired from the Coyotes in the Stepan/Raanta trade, in this past June’s NHL Entry Draft is a tenacious forechecker with outstanding offensive instincts. The 18-year-old Swede likely won’t factor into the team’s plans for 2017-18, but you never know. He has the skill set and the fortitude to impress at training camp, so don’t count this kid out.