NEW YORK RANGERS PROSPECT REPORT: APR. 9

NEW YORK RANGERS PROSPECT REPORT: APR. 9

1. Tim Gettinger tallied two points (one goal, one assist), including the game-winning goal in overtime, led all skaters with eight shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating to help Sault Ste. Marie win Game 2 of its second-round series on Apr. 6 against Owen Sound. Gettinger’s goal evened the series, as Sault Ste. Marie had lost Game 1. He has posted a multi-point game in five of the Greyhounds’ six playoff games this year, and he has recorded 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in the six contests. Gettinger has already established OHL playoff career-highs in assists and points in the 2018 Playoffs. In addition, Gettinger is tied for sixth in the OHL in assists and is tied for seventh in the league in points per game (1.67) thus far in the playoffs this year. The Rangers’ fifth-round pick (141st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft recorded 69 points (33 goals, 36 assists) and a plus-35 rating in 66 games with the Greyhounds this season. Gettinger, who served as Sault Ste. Marie’s captain this season, established OHL career-highs in several categories during the regular season in 2017-18, including games played, goals, assists, points, plus/minus rating, shots on goal (256), power play goals (seven), shorthanded goals (five), and game-winning goals (seven). He tied for seventh in the OHL in plus/minus rating and ranked 11th in the OHL in shots on goal this season. In addition, Gettinger ranked third among OHL forwards in plus/minus rating this season, and he was one of four OHL players who registered 30 or more goals and posted a plus-30 rating or better in 2017-18.
2. Brett Howden registered three assists/points in three playoff games during the week. He notched an assist on the game-winning goal, led all skaters with 25 faceoff wins (69.4%), and recorded three shots on goal to help Moose Jaw win Game 7 of its first-round series against Prince Albert on Apr. 3. In addition, Howden tallied two assists, led all skaters with 16 faceoff wins (16-for-29; 55.2%), and posted a plus-one rating to help Moose Jaw win Game 1 of its second-round series against Swift Current on Apr. 6. Howden, who was acquired by the Rangers in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 26, has tallied nine points (four goals, five assists), registered 28 shots on goal, and won 144 of 259 faceoffs (55.6%) in nine playoff games thus far this year. He leads the WHL in faceoff wins in the playoffs this year. Howden also ranks third on Moose Jaw in goals and is tied for third in points in the 2018 Playoffs. Howden recorded 75 points (24 goals, 51 assists) and a plus-28 rating in 49 games with Moose Jaw during the regular season in 2017-18. He also established WHL career-highs in assists, plus/minus rating, points per game (1.53), and game-winning goals (five) this season. In addition, Howden, who was selected by Tampa Bay in the first round (27th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, ranked 12th in the WHL in points per game in 2017-18.
3. Ty Ronning tallied a goal and registered nine shots on goal in Game 6 of Vancouver’s first-round series against Victoria. The Giants’ season – and Ronning’s junior career – ended with a loss in Game 7 on Apr. 3. He tallied a point in six of Vancouver’s seven playoff games this year, registering seven points (one goal, six assists) and a plus-four rating. Ronning led Vancouver in shots on goal (33), tied for second on the team in assists, and tied for third on Vancouver in points and plus/minus rating in the 2018 Playoffs. The Rangers’ seventh-round pick (201st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft recorded 61 goals and 23 assists for 84 points, along with a plus-12 rating in 70 games with the Giants this season. Ronning established WHL career-highs in several categories this season, including games played, goals, points, plus/minus rating, shots on goal (339), power play goals (18), game-winning goals (nine), and shorthanded goals (two). He recorded at least one goal in 42 of 70 regular season games in 2017-18, and he posted 16 multi-goal games during the season. Ronning, who agreed to terms on an entry-level contract with the Rangers on Mar. 5, ranked second in the WHL in goals and shots on goal this season, and he also established the Giants’ single-season record for goals. Ronning signed an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement with the Wolf Pack on Apr. 7, and he recorded three shots on goal while playing his first AHL game of the 2017-18 season with Hartford on Apr. 8 vs. Springfield.

• Vinni Lettieri registered two points (one goal, one assist) in three games during the week, and he recorded the game-winning goal in overtime on Apr. 7 vs. Lehigh Valley. He has tallied a point in seven of the last 10 games (six goals, two assists over the span). In addition, he has notched at least one point in 10 of the last 16 games and has recorded 12 points (eight goals, four assists) over the span. Lettieri has registered 35 points (22 goals, 13 assists) in 53 AHL games with the Wolf Pack in 2017-18. He is tied for fifth among AHL rookies in goals this season. Lettieri also leads Hartford in goals and power play goals (nine) in 2017-18.

• Boo Nieves recorded two points (one goal, one assist) on Apr. 7 vs. Lehigh Valley. He has registered five points (two goals, three assists) in the last six games and eight points (three goals, five assists) in the last 12 games. In addition, Nieves has tallied 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 40 AHL games with the Wolf Pack this season. He has established AHL career-highs in goals, assists, and points in 2017-18.

• Ryan Lindgren tallied a goal and registered four shots on goal on Apr. 6 at Providence. Lindgren, who agreed to terms with the Rangers on an entry-level contract on Mar. 22 and was acquired by the Rangers in a trade with the Boston Bruins on Feb. 25, has registered three points (two goals, one assist) and 24 shots on goal in eight games since joining the Wolf Pack.

• Alexandar Georgiev made 46 saves and was selected as the game’s Third Star on Apr. 8 vs. Springfield. Georgiev ranks sixth among qualified AHL rookie goaltenders in SV% this season (.909). 

• Chris Bigras tallied a point in two of three games during the week (one goal, one assist). The 23-year-old defenseman, who was acquired by the Rangers from the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 26, has notched eight points (two goals, six assists) in the last 12 games and nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 16 games with Hartford.

• Chris Nell stopped all 49 shots he faced to earn a win and shutout in Greenville’s game on Apr. 7 at Atlanta. He has posted a .910 SV% in 13 ECHL games this season, and he has made 30 or more saves in seven of his 13 appearances. In addition, Nell has made 40 or more saves in three of his last four ECHL appearances.

“I think I can play well at both ends of the ice. I’m strong on faceoffs and I think I can read the play pretty well and (have) a good hockey IQ. … I do everything I can to help the team win. It doesn’t matter to me what role I’m playing.” – Rangers prospect Brett Howden’s self-assessment of his style of play