Prospect Report: Hajek Howden Lindgren
In addition, Hajek participated in the CHL Top Prospects Game during the 2015-16 season. Internationally, Hajek has represented his country in several tournaments. Most recently, he registered eight points (one goal, seven assists) in seven games at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. He was named one of the Top Three players on his team, as he led all defensemen in the tournament in assists and tied for first among all defensemen in the tournament in points. Hajek was selected by Tampa Bay in the second round, 37th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Brett Howden was acquired by the Rangers in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 26. Howden, a 19-year-old forward who was born in Calgary, Alberta and grew up in Oakbank, Manitoba, has skated in 42 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season, registering 23 goals and 40 assists for 63 points, along with a plus-26 rating and 38 penalty minutes. He is tied for 11th in the WHL in points per game in 2017-18 (1.50). In addition, Howden is serving as Moose Jaw's captain for the second consecutive season. The 6-3, 200-pounder has skated in 241 career WHL games over parts of five seasons (2013-14 - 2017-18), all with Moose Jaw, registering 108 goals and 147 assists for 255 points, along with 198 penalty minutes. Howden established WHL career-highs in goals (38), assists (43), and points (81) in 2016-17. He participated in the CHL Top Prospects Game in 2015-16. Internationally, Howden has represented Canada in several tournaments. He helped Canada earn a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, registering seven points (three goals, four assists) and a plus-nine rating in seven games during the tournament. Howden was also named one of the Top Three Players on his team during the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championship, as he recorded eight points (five goals, three assists) in six games. Howden was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the first round, 27th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Howden played in four games with Moose Jaw during the week, registering five points (one goal, four assists) in the four contests. He recorded two points (one goal, one assist) and was selected as the game's First Star on Mar. 3 vs. Saskatoon. Howden has posted a multi-point game in six of the last 12 contests, and he has registered 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) over the span.
Ryan Lindgren registered an assist/point in both games of the University of Minnesota's Big Ten Quarterfinals series against Penn State on Mar. 2 and Mar. 3 (two assists), and both assists were power play assists. Lindgren, a 20-year-old defenseman who was acquired by the Rangers from the Boston Bruins on Feb. 25, has tallied nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 35 games with the University of Minnesota this season, and he has established collegiate career-highs in goals, assists, and points during his sophomore year in 2017-18.
Yegor Rykov completed the KHL regular season with SKA St. Petersburg during the week. Rykov, a 20-year-old defenseman who was acquired by the Rangers from the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 22, registered 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) and a plus-11 rating in 53 regular season games with SKA in 2017-18, and he established KHL career-highs in games played, goals, assists, points, and plus/minus rating this season. Rykov played in more KHL games than any other player 20 years old or younger during the 2017-18 season, and he also recorded more assists and points than any other KHL defenseman 20 years old or younger during the season.
Emerging from the Pack
Lias Andersson recorded two points (one goal, one assist) and led Hartford with five shots on goal on Mar. 2 at Springfield. The Rangers' first round pick (seventh overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has registered 10 points (five goals, five assists) in the last 13 games, as well as 12 points (five goals, seven assists) through his first 18 career AHL games. Andersson ranks second among AHL players younger than 20 years old in points per game this season (0.67).
Filip Chytil registered a goal and led all skaters with five shots on goal on Mar. 4 vs. Charlotte. The Rangers' first round pick (21st overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has tallied 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) and has posted a plus-two rating in 39 AHL games with the Wolf Pack this season. Chytil ranks seven among AHL rookies in points per game this season (0.72), and he is tied for the team lead in plus/minus rating in 2017-18. In addition, Chytil leads AHL players younger than 20 years old in goals and points per game this season.
Vinni Lettierirecorded three points (two goals, one assist) and 11 shots on goal in three games during the week, including two goals on Mar. 2 at Springfield. Lettieri has registered 26 points (16 goals, 10 assists) in 40 AHL games with Hartford this season, and he leads the team in goals in 2017-18.
Adam Tambellini registered three points (two goals, one assist) in three games during the week. The Rangers' third round pick (65th overall) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft has tallied a point in nine of the last 18 games and has recorded 11 points (seven goals, four assists) over the span. Tambellini is tied for second on the Wolf Pack in goals this season (13).
Chris Bigras tallied an assist/point in two of three games during the week, and he registered an assist and a plus-two rating while making his Wolf Pack debut on Mar. 2 at Springfield. Bigras, a 23-year-old defenseman who was acquired by the Rangers from the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 26, has registered eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 23 AHL games in 2017-18.
Ryan Sproul recorded two points (one goal, one assist) in three games during the week. He has tallied a point in seven of his last nine AHL games, registering 10 points (four goals, six assists) over the span. Sproul has recorded 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 47 AHL games this season, and he is tied for fourth among AHL defensemen in goals in 2017-18.
Boo Nieves registered a point in two of three games during the week (one goal, one assist). He has tallied nine points (three goals, six assists) in the last 17 games. Nieves has recorded 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 27 AHL games with the Wolf Pack this season, including 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 18 games since rejoining Hartford on Jan. 15.
Quick Hits
Sean Day registered three assists/points in three games during the week. The Rangers' third round pick (81st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has recorded 39 points (five goals, 34 assists) in 44 OHL games with Windsor and Kingston this season, and he has established OHL career-highs in assists and points in 2017-18. Day ranks ninth among OHL defensemen in assists, and he is also tied for eighth among OHL defensemen (min. two games played) in points per game this season (0.89).
Tim Gettinger tallied a point in all of Sault Ste. Marie's three games during the week, registering four points (two goals, two assists) over the three contests. The Rangers' fifth round pick (141st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft extended his point streak to four games (two goals, four assists). Gettinger has notched a point in 15 of the last 20 games (11 goals, 13 assists) and has registered a point in 21 of the last 28 games, tallying 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) over the span. Gettinger has recorded 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) and a plus-32 rating in 60 games with the Greyhounds this season, and he has established OHL career-highs in goals, assists, points, shots on goal (239), power play goals (seven), shorthanded goals (five), and game-winning goals (seven) in 2017-18. He is tied for eighth in the OHL in plus/minus rating and is tied for 10th in the OHL in shots on goal this season. In addition, Gettinger is tied for third among OHL forwards in plus/minus rating this season, and he is one of four OHL players who have registered 30 or more goals and a plus-30 rating or better in 2017-18. Gettinger also leads Sault Ste. Marie in shots on goal, shorthanded assists (four), and shorthanded points (nine), is tied for the team lead in shorthanded goals, is tied for second in game-winning goals, and ranks third in goals and points in 2017-18.
Ty Ronning recorded three points (two goals, one assist) and 21 shots on goal in five games during the week. The Rangers' seventh round pick (201st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has registered 18 points (13 goals, five assists) in the last 15 games. Ronning has tallied 55 goals and 22 assists for 77 points in 64 WHL games in 2017-18. He ranks second in the WHL in shots on goal (313) and is tied for second in the league in goals this season. In addition, Ronning leads Vancouver in goals, points, plus/minus rating (plus-11), power play goals (15), and shots on goal in 2017-18. He has also established WHL career-highs in goals, points, and game-winning goals (eight) this season.
Igor Shesterkin stopped all 23 shots he faced in regulation and overtime, and stopped all five shooters he faced in the shootout, to earn a win and shutout in his final KHL regular season appearance in 2017-18 on Mar. 1 against Severstal. The Rangers' fourth round pick (118th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft posted a 24-2-2 record, along with a 1.70 GAA, a .933 SV%, and 7 SO in 28 KHL appearances this season. Shesterkin tied for third among KHL goaltenders in shutouts, ranked fourth in GAA, and ranked sixth in SV% this season. In 67 KHL regular season appearances over the last two seasons (2016-17 and 2017-18), Shesterkin posted a 55-6-3 record, along with a 1.67 GAA, a .935 SV%, and 15 SO.
Patrik Virta registered a point in all three games he played during the week, registering five points (two goals, three assists) and a plus-four rating over the span. The Rangers' seventh round pick (207th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has notched an assist/point in each of his last four games (two goals, five assists over the span), and he has posted a multi-point game in three of the four contests. Virta has recorded 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists) and a plus-10 rating in 56 games with TPS in Liiga this season. He has established Liiga career-highs in assists and points in 2017-18, and he has also tied his career-high in goals. Virta ranks third on TPS in assists and points, and is tied for third on the team in plus/minus rating in 2017-18.
Dominik Lakatos tallied an assist and posted a plus-three rating in Liberec's 4-1 win on Feb. 26 against HC Dukla Jihlava. The Rangers' sixth round pick (157th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has registered 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) and a plus-two rating in 50 games with Liberec in Czech Extraliga this season. Lakatos leads all players 20 years old or younger in Czech Extraliga in goals and points, and he is tied for first among all players 20 years old or younger in Czech Extraliga in assists this season.
Alexei Bereglazov registered an assist and posted a plus-one rating on Feb. 27 against Ugra. The 23-year-old defenseman finished the 2017-18 KHL season with three assists and a plus-two rating in 25 games and established a career-high in average ice time (21:35).
