Brady Skjei Update
We've been talking a lot about the big name Ranger prospects on the blog lately to keep us occupied during the lockout (St. Croix, JT Miller, McIlrath... etc.) but one name we haven't talked about much, besides getting cut from Team USA, is the Rangers 2012 1st round selection Brady Skjei.
Skjei currently plays for the University of Minnesota Gophers, who are ranked first in the country. Following Friday night's 4-3 win, Chris Peters from the United States of Hockey had this to say on twitter about Skjei.
@theprospectpark He's been playing like a freshman. People see 1st round and think instant dominance, but he's got a lot of devel time ahead
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) January 12, 2013
Skjei only has a goal and an assist in 19 collegiate games for a 0 rating. Obviously not eye-popping numbers, but at least he doesn't appear to be a severe liability in his own end which was his strength upon being drafted. Skjei, like Chris Peters said has a ton of hockey and development ahead of him before we can think about him at the professional level.
For what its worth, Jake McCabe, who just captained Team USA to a gold medal in the World Junior's went to Buffalo 16 spots after Skjei.... just sayin.
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Despite his struggles this year I love his upside. Especially when there have been plenty of comparisons to McDonagh.
@GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG I guess what I was trying to imply was due to the amount of defensemen that were taken in the first round in last years draft, it's entirely possible some guys were taken way too high, and some were overlooked entirely and fell down team's draft boards. As much as I like McCabe's game, I'll be bummed if he's playing with Tyler Myers in Buffalo for the next 10 seasons and Skjei turns out to be nothing more than a Hartford lifer.
