Nieves Named CCHA Rookie of the Month; Skjei a Healthy Scratch
Rangers 2012 2nd round pick Cristoval 'Boo' Nieves was named the CCHA "Rookie of the Month" for February.
Nieves, just a freshman, led the CCHA and the nation in rookie scoring with four goals and 10 points, helping the University of Michigan to a 4-2-0 record in February.
Nieves is tied for the team lead with 26 points (8g, 18a).
...In Gordie We Trust. Listen, I'm not about to Christen this kid as the next coming of Wayne Gretzky, but how did he slip to the middle of the second round last year? I remember him being mentioned as a first round pick.
...Nieves has size at 6' 3", 200lbs, speed and great hands. Wonder how long he plans on staying in college before making the jump to the pros. If he can improve on these numbers during his sophomore year I can definitely see him signing a contract with the Rangers and playing with the Whale starting the 2014-15 season.
In not such good 2012 draft pick news, Jesse Rubenstein at The Prospect Park informs as that first rounder Brady Skjei was a healthy scratch Saturday night during the #2 ranked University of Minnesota's 5-1 win over Denver.
Skjei has 1g, 2a in 31 games this season as a freshman.
...it takes defenseman much longer to develop and there's no shame in being a healthy scratch as a freshman on the #2 team in the country, especially when you've been a staple in the line-up all season, so I'm not even close to calling Skjei a bust, but you'd like to see more than just one goal in 31 games from your #1 pick whose game has been compared to McD's but with more offense.
Meanwhile Michael St. Croix continues to put up huge numbers after a four assist night on Friday. He now has 33g, 50a on the season with 19 power play goals for the Edmonton Oil Kings.
...St. Croix continues to be the prospect I'm most excited about. All he does is put up points. Looking forward to next year's training camp already.
Finally, in European prospect news...
Oscar Lindberg's game-winner seals the Swedish Elite League regular-season title for Skellefteå. 1-goal & 1-assist night for #NYR prospect.
— Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) February 28, 2013
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people try to understand the skei was the best pure skater in that draft. his uncle works for the calgary flames as a skating instructor and is known as the best skating instructor in north america. this is also the the mantra of the new york rangers speed, speed, and more speed. if you like hagelin, if you like kreider, if you like mc d, than just relax. most defenseman do not reach prime tile 24 to 26 years old. this kid has great potential and could be a first pairing defenseman.
It's not so much Nieves speed...Gaborik has speed.... it's Nieves skating ability that really stands out. Nieves has a complete game: excellent shot, sees the ice well and makes the smart accurate pass, competes in the dirty areas and wins battles, likes to hit people, a plus faceoff player, high hockey iQ. We're looking at a minimum 6:3 tall kid who'll probably be upwards of 215 when he hits Broadway and who has all the talent in the world.
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I know people are gonna chastize me but Skjei was a bad pick. I say that this early because how do you pass up on matteau's son, especially with the devils right behind you. I guarantee you he burns us at one point in his career, it would be too story book for him not too
@slapshot13j If they had taken Matteau, they wouldn't have taken Nieves. Nieves plays like a top five pick. He's a better college prospect than Kreider ever was.
@shishya100 Thats not true, teams try to take the most talented player at each position...
Also from hearing about all these prospects,, it seems like we have too many top 9 or top 12 forwards. I know you can never have to many, but is there anyway that soon Sather may try to trade some of them? Just wondering and if so, who is/are the odd men out. I hear borque has really slowed down in his progression
@TheNYRBlog from the games i've seen, boo was tentative early and the team stunk, recently he's stepped up and taken charge of the team imho
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You do know McDonagh had a bad freshman year hence the reason the Canadiens traded him, right? If he's still not putting up numbers or getting into the lineup next year, I'd worry. Right now, could care less if he is a healthy scratch...especially if his team is deep.
@TheNYRBlog And as the article said, it takes longer for defensemen to develop and he is freshman in college so I'll give him a pass for now
@TheNYRBlog plus, i believe that Nieves is from Syracuse, and being that i'm also from CNY, i like him just a little bit more!
@TheNYRBlog O well. I like Stu better anyways. He turns the puck over a bit but he bleeds blue.
@TheNYRBlog It is. Scouts knock the level of competition at the prep level. He could have played USHL puck but chose not to.
@TheNYRBlog Coming to Ann Arbor tall and skinny he was a 3-4 NCAA player. There was supposed to be an adjustment period, it never happened.
@TheNYRBlog Great post, I love posts that keep me up to date on #NYR prospects outside of the guys on the Whale we all already know about.
@TheNYRBlog Boo's fan club: Aka this girl right here. Have you caught any of his games? Wowza.
@stefaniealva I've only seen highlights. But I like what I see. Love his combination of size and speed.
@TheNYRBlog Will be interesting 2 c the fans reax when Nieves makes it 2 MSG. Only other "Boo" I can think of is Boo Harvey from St. John's
@TheNYRBlog As a fan of.....u know what team, taking about prospects is what I have become good @. Haha. I like Nieves' game. Kid can play
@Lou_Pellegrino I’m out for that, vet appointment haha. @WeBleedBlueNYC has both for that night.
@Lou_Pellegrino Let’s do it, just tell me when. I’m getting back into a more regular schedule post-puppy adoption.
@mavanco We'll meet up at a game soon enough. We can go to @FoleysNY after the game ends. You'll love that place.
@mavanco Hahaha. I was going to go but I just feel like taking it easy tonight. Plus I just saw Buffalo on Long Island not too long ago.
@Lou_Pellegrino Asking a Rangers’ fan for patience is like asking me not to laugh when I hear a fart.
@mavanco He'll be a nice pairing with Dylan McIlrath in the coming years. Fan's patience is key.
@Lou_Pellegrino He has a solid base to build off of, hopefully this is the start. Hope fans can temper expectations and allow progress… #lol
@Lou_Pellegrino @TheNYRBlog Nieves has to work on his skating. Has a very short, compact stride. If he could lengthen it, he’ll be faster.
@MTopper319 @TheNYRBlog As I got older & became more involved with the NHL my "hatred" for teams went away. The NYR are VERY good to me.
@Lou_Pellegrino @thenyrblog I think islander fans take more digs at the islanders then anyone else now lol
@TheNYRBlog @MTopper319 With all of my digs against the NYI you would think I was a Rangers fan. At least I call it like I see it.
@TheNYRBlog As a far of.....u know what team, taking about prospects is what I have become good @. Haha. I like Nieves' game. Kid can play
