Saw today that the Russian D prospect Bereglazov is headed to NA and the Rangers are a favorite to sign him. Seems like a solid big rangy type with some offense. I believe he's been in the KHL.
Its amazing how short of RD there seems to be to the point that a lot of LD are playing on the right side
Sounds like we have a new prospect on the radar. 21 y/o forward Vladimir Tkachev who played in the Q and is now in the K..did well in the WJC a few years back. He's only 5 10/170 but he's got alot of skill. Zipay says he's attending our development camp and we have the inside track on him. Sounds like a Gaudreau type but needs to get stronger.
The Rangers have announced that they have signed defenseman Neal Pionk out of the University of Minnesota Duluth. Pionk, 21, had seven goals and 27 assists in 42 games as a sophomore this past season and is 6-0, 190. From the Rangers release, "He established collegiate career-highs in several categories in 2016-17, including games played, goals, assists, points, and plus/minus rating. In addition, Pionk helped Minnesota Duluth win the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Championship, and he also helped the team advance to the Frozen Four and the National Championship Game." Pionk was named to the NCHC Second All-Star Team and the NCHC All-Tournament Team this past season and was named United States Hockey League's Defenseman of the Year in 2014-15. He left Minnesota-Duluth after his sophomore season and said that the opportunity to turn pro was too good for him to pass up. (Duluth News Tribune) He is a right handed shot and skated at the Blackhawks prospect camp last summer. Elliotte Friedman tweeted that signing "Pionk" was a "coup" for the Rangers and that there was a lot of interest in him. Craig Custance tweeted in February that about 20 teams were interested in signing Pionk. Other players the Rangers have signed so far this year include Vince Pedrie, Alexei Bereglazov, Vinni Lettieri, and goalie Chris Nell.
This signing was more interesting than some of the others. He's still young, has decent size and is righty. Maybe he will work out. Gropp and Zborovskiy teams are meeting in the WHL finals. His team was loaded but he had 40 points and was a plus 72 this season which is absurd. His last playoff game he had 2 assists and was a plus 5. Not a plus 23 in 17 playoff games. 8 better than anybody in the playoffs. His plus 72 was 20 better than anybody else during the regular season. At 6'4, 195 and righty, he clearly is a big part of the teams future. Not a huge plus-minus guy but when you are doing that to such an extreme level it is pretty clear you just don't let up goals when you are on the ice. Rangers rarely ever rush a defenseman but the book on him is he is very mature. I could easily see this team going with McDonagh, Skjei, Zborovskiy, Graves, Smith and a role playing 6th guy. I would expect Girardi to be bought out, the team to make every effort to move Staal, Stepan, Nash and probably Hayes. I think they would like to protect role players in Fast and Lindberg actually over Stepan and Nash.
Rangers just signed to 3 yr elc. Had breakout year this year big kid with toughness that plays left wing. DAWSON LEEDAHL 6684 BIRTHYEAR 1996-03-16 BIRTHPLACE Saskatoon, SK, CAN AGE 21 NATION Canada POSITION LW SHOOTS L HEIGHT 188 cm / 6'2" WEIGHT 88 kg / 194 lbs CONTRACT 19/20 Birth date also listed as 1996-03-15. Father: Derek Leedahl Brother: Garrett Leedahl Sister: Toni Leedahl Uncle: Darren Leedahl Cousins: Blair Leedahl, Brett Leedahl, Glenn Leedahl & Kurt Leedahl © Photo: Doug Westcott CAREER STATISTICSUse/Embed statistics SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A TP PIM +/- POST GP G A TP PIM +/- 2010-11 Saskatoon Contacts SMHL 6 1 1 2 6 | 2011-12 Saskatoon Contacts SMHL 42 11 21 32 64 | Playoffs 13 4 9 13 24 2012-13 Everett Silvertips WHL 56 3 6 9 34 -25 | Playoffs 6 2 1 3 4 -2 2013-14 Everett Silvertips WHL 70 8 24 32 66 -3 | Playoffs 5 0 2 2 8 -6 2014-15 Everett Silvertips WHL 52 14 19 33 68 11 | Playoffs 4 0 2 2 11 1 2015-16 Everett Silvertips WHL 48 12 15 27 78 16 | Playoffs 8 3 2 5 27 -2 2016-17 Regina Pats WHL 71 35 54 89 121 45 | Playoffs 19 11 12 23 28 11 - See more at: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=120223#sthash.LgrpDmHh.dpuf
LOL...seems like the whole family has played hockey, even his sister. None of them seem to be great at it though.
