NY Rangers 2015 Draft Review

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

#25 -- Mathew Barzal, C/RW, Seattle (WHL)
Super-fun playmaker with an okay shot and top-level faceoff skills. Barzal projects as a possible first-line centerman, providing he can bring his defensive play up to snuff. Not very physical, but if you're skating past everyone, who can hit you?
Best case scenario: first line playmaking center
Worst case: second line center, PP setup specialist

#56 -- Filip Ahl, RW/LW, HV 71 (FIN)
Another big body forward for the prospect pool. Ahl brings a very nice checking and hitting game to the rink, and has a surprisingly nice shot as well. Good skater, and can play both wings. Needs to work on consistency, but he's not bad there either.
Best case scenario: second line hitter
Worst case: third line grinder, PK wonk

#58 -- Guillaume Brisebois, D, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
Getting more size across the board has been a noticeable trend for the Rangers in recent drafts, and Brisebois brings that and more. Projects as a solid two-way defender, who can start breakouts and snuff them out. Does need to work on his checking, but is positionally sound, brings some grit to the ice, and skates well.
Best case scenario: second-pair all-around D
Worst case: third pair and PP guy

#76 -- Artem Volkov, D, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
A smart and capable two-way blueliner. Won't kill anyone in the corners, but plays a very sound positional game, and is super-fast getting the puck to a streaking forward leaving the zone. Sort of a poor-man's Dan Girardi, without his physical presence.
Best case scenario: 3/4 D, and special teamer
Worst case: 6/7 D, fill-in

#85 -- Jake Massie, D, Kimball Union (USHS)
A boom-or-bust project. If his game develops the next couple of years, will be a solid physical defender. If not, he'll see a lot of the northeastern US from a bus.
Best case scenario: third pair physical D and PK maven
Worst case: AHL whipping boy

#98 -- David Kaše, C/LW, Khomutov (CZE)
A few tears were shed when Montreal took David Cotton, but the Rangers regrouped and took the next best David. Listed as a two-way forward, Kaše has better offensive skills than anything else. Is a smooth skater and possesses a deadly shot. Could bring up his positional awareness and be a decent two-way guy after all, but only time will tell.
Best case scenario: 3rd/4th line grinder and PP shooter
Worst case: press box fan favorite

#115 -- Mikhail Vorobyev, C/LW, Ufa (KHL)
Another big-boned forward, Vorobyev is of a type GM Webber seems to crave: two-way forwards with good shots and solid defensive play. Not the greatest skater, and may take some dumb penalties, but could still see his way to the big leagues in a few years.
Best case scenario: low-line grinder and leader of team-building trips to Republic of Bashkortostan
Worst case: AHL monkey and leader of team-building trips to Republic of Bashkortostan

#118 -- Chaz Reddekopp, D, Victoria (WHL)
A large-and-in-charge defender with some offensive skills to hand as well. Chaz is only held back by his mediocre skating, and his bizarrely comical name.
Best case scenario: 6/7 defenseman and special teamer
Worst case: victim of too many minor league pratical jokes

#175 -- Taggart Corriveau, RW/LW, Westminster (USHS)
Possibly a one-trick pony, which is quite a trick: an elite shot. Decent skater, some defensive skills. Consistent.
Best case scenario: bottom-line trapper
Worst case: name gets him beaten up for his lunch money every day at practice

#205 -- Cameron Hughes, C/LW, Wisconsin (NCAA)
Will have to bust his ass to make it to the EHEC. Most likely his defense and skating make him a solid AHL contributor.
Best case scenario: has a long, happy life with a great wife and kids
Worst case: is stuck in Hartford for the next 10 years