Top prospects for New York Rangers

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the New York Rangers, according to NHL.com.

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1. Brennan Othmann, F
How acquired:Selected with No. 16 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Flint (OHL): 66 GP, 50-47-97
Othmann (6-foot, 175 pounds) said during development camp in July that his goal is to play for the Rangers this season after finishing second in the OHL in goals and seventh in points last season.
If he doesn't make it, he will be sent back to Flint because the 19-year-old is not old enough to play in the American Hockey League. Any player drafted out of one of Canada's three major junior leagues has to be at least 20 to play in the AHL.
Othmann also said during development camp that he tries to model his game after Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor and Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk.
"Kyle Connor has just got an elite shot, a pure scorer, and I think Othmann definitely has the ability for that," Rangers director of player development Jed Ortmeyer said. "The physical engagement that Tkachuk plays with, we've seen that a lot throughout the year in terms of compete and battle for pucks from Othmann."
Projected NHL arrival:Next season
2. Vitali Kravtsov, F
How acquired:Selected with No. 9 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL): 19 GP, 6-7-13
The 22-year-old has been one of the Rangers' top prospects since they drafted him four years ago. He is expected to be one of their top three right wings this season after failing to make the team out of training camp last season and ultimately being sent back to Russia.
The Rangers re-signed Kravtsov (6-foot-3, 193 pounds) to a one-year contract on June 13.
Kravtsov has been working out at the Rangers' training facility this summer and coach Gerard Gallant said he spoke to him in early August when he was in New York.
"I just said, 'Kravvy, we want you as a top player,'" Gallant said. "I told him, 'You're talented, you're skilled enough.'"
Kravtsov played 20 games for the Rangers in 2020-21 and had four points (two goals, two assists).
Projected NHL arrival:This season

3. Zac Jones, D
How acquired: Selected with No. 68 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Rangers: 12 GP, 0-2-2; Hartford (AHL): 52 GP, 9-26-35
The 21-year-old will be one of at least five candidates vying for a spot on the third defense pair for the Rangers. He'll be joined by Braden Schneider, who was a primary third-pair defenseman for the second half of last season, Nils Lundkvist, Libor Hajek and Matthew Robertson.
Jones (5-10, 175) is known for his skating and puck moving ability.
"His role was obviously a little bit different at the NHL level last season than it was in Hartford (of the American Hockey League) in sheer number of minutes played," Ortmeyer said. "I think both Nils and Zac understood that they need to, with their minutes, make sure they're limiting their mistakes and their risk plays. In Hartford, they're given a little more opportunity, more rope."
Projected NHL arrival:This season
4. Nils Lundkvist, D
How acquired:Selected with No. 28 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Rangers: 25 GP, 1-3-4; Hartford (AHL): 34 GP, 3-12-15
Lundkvist (5-11, 187) made the team out of training camp last season, but the 22-year-old was sent back to Hartford in early January, when the Rangers recalled Schneider.
"It's always an adjustment at that age for young defensemen in general, but especially a European, just adjusting to the lifestyle, the smaller rink, everything," Ortmeyer said. "He got a taste of [the NHL] and he was able to come down to Hartford and took a bigger role. I think that helped him understand where he needs to be and what he needed to do this summer."
Projected NHL arrival:This season

5. William Cuylle, F
How acquired: Selected with No. 60 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Windsor (OHL): 59 GP, 43-37-80
Cuylle (6-3, 212) has a chance to be a depth forward for the Rangers if he has a good training camp. If not, the 20-year-old will play in Hartford.
He was Windsor's captain last season and helped lead them to the Ontario Hockey League Championship Series.
"Going back to juniors last year was good for him; being the captain and having a long playoff run, playing big minutes in every situation, developing that scoring touch and the confidence to do it," Ortmeyer said.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season