New York Rangers: 2019 Poll – The fans speak – Part 2

Question 6: Prospect I look forward to seeing in a Rangers jersey

As mentioned in part one, many veterans have been traded, released, or let walk away in free agency as part of the New York Rangers rebuild, over the past two years. What they received in return includes draft picks and young players/prospects. Among the next wave of Blueshirts, some are in the minors at Hartford, others are still in college or juniors.

Wherever they may be, the upgrade has propelled the Rangers prospect pool from the bottom of the NHL to its summit. Three players headline the list of who Blueshirts fans look forward to joining the team soon.

Third Place: Vitali Kravtsov (F) – 2018 first-round (ninth overall) – 25 percent

Many thought Vitali Kravtsov would make the Blueshirts out of camp in October. Instead, the Russian winger will be learning the North American game in Hartford. So far the 20-year old has had a difficult time adjusting, but his talent is undeniable.

"His game is unmistakably dynamic, his puck control is undeniably fluid. He’s an ankle-breaking machine. And it comes in 6-foot-4 frame with defensive acumen.” – Mitch Brown, The Athletic."

“I believe the hype and the sniper he can be at the NHL level.” – Jim Madden.

“Vitali Kravtsov is who I am excited to see in a couple of years fully developed. seems like he has the tools and the mindset to make it in this league.” – Mike Marcellino.

Second Place: K’Andre Miller (D) – 2018 first-round (28th overall) – 26.4 percent

A converted forward, K’Andre Miller is tearing it up as a defenseman at the University of Wisconsin. As of this writing, the sophomore has 33 points in 44 career NCAA games. Big and fast Miller was on the All-Big Ten Freshman team last year.

"“Miller was viewed as a project, albeit one with huge upside. He had only been playing defense full time for the previous two seasons when he was drafted. A converted forward, he has a big 6-foot-4, 211-pound frame, raw athleticism, and tremendous skating ability.” – Chris Peters, ESPN"

“Hopefully he can bring that Brent Burns-type big offensive defenseman ability to this team. Even if he can be a slightly less skilled version of Burns that would be a home run.” – Jesse Steck.

“Size and skill” – Sean Junior.

First Place: Igor Shestyorkin (G) – 2014 fourth-round (118th overall) – 34.7 percent

Maybe Igor Shetyorkin should be called “The Prince” as he is the heir-apparent to “King” Henrik Lundqvist in the New York Rangers net. Don’t be fooled by his mid-level draft status, selecting goalies is always a crap-shoot. After all, Lundqvist was a seventh-rounder.

Only 23 years old, Shestyorkin made his KHL debut in 2013. For the past three years, he’s been the number one goalie for SKA St. Petersburg. This season, Shestyorkin is at Hartford, where is fourth in the AHL in both wins (12) and Goals Against Average (2.03).

"“Shestyorkin is a smaller goaltender who relies on his outstanding reflexes to make saves. His technique is very raw, but he is lightning quick. He never quits on a play and gets across the crease quickly to make a lot of very acrobatic saves. He tracks the puck well. His glove hand is outstanding, taking away the top of the net. – Ben Kerr, Last Word on Hockey."

“ I have a chance (God willing) to see Eddie G, Richter, the King, and now Igor. Not many teams can say they have four potential long term goalies.” – Brian Drinkwine.

“What he’s doing in the AHL and did in that preseason game against Philly was worth the wait.” – Nick Maturi.

Others receiving votes: Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, Ty Ronning, Morgan Barron.