{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "This week's question comes from Stamatos Petratos of Bayside Hills, New York. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Should the Rangers focus on drafting a more defensive talent because they have a deep forward prospect pool?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That's a good point. While the Blueshirts blue line brigade is better than most – at least on paper – the defense prospect pool needs work." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "In one Hockey News' talent evaluation, three forwards – Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann and Adam Sykora were rated ahead of the first defense prospect, Drew Fortescue." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Of the total of ten, only one other backliner was mentioned, Matthew Robertson, and he was last on the list." } }, { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/JjhHlL3p.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Stan Fischler US Hall Of Fame MSG", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/JjhHlL3p-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/JjhHlL3p.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/JjhHlL3p.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JjhHlL3p-MekIZXV7.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 172, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 248315, "filesize": 5990601, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JjhHlL3p-7QE9Jvzm.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 256, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 349406, "filesize": 8429431, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JjhHlL3p-aEJFL7DH.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113728, "filesize": 2743706 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JjhHlL3p-stjsiaJR.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 342, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 420637, "filesize": 10147891, "framerate": 60 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Interestingly, the Rangers traded up to get Fortesscu who's from Pearl River, New York, otherwise known as Blueshirt Country. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Selected 90th overall in the 2023 Draft, Fortescue stands 6-2, 170 pounds and is projected as a fourth or fifth blue liner if he makes it to the big club. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That said, I expect – as you do – that the club will focus more on defensemen at next year's Draft." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The following Rangers defense prospects bear watching: E.J. Emery, North Dakota and Rasmus Larsson, Northern Michigan; " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Hartford Wolf Pack hopefuls include Ben Harpur, Connor Mackey, Victor Mancini and Casey Fitzgerald." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Also From THN Rangers:" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/matt-rempe-reveals-his-next-offseason-endeavour" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/why-im-temporarily-taking-the-blame-away-from-chris-drury" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/niece-of-former-rangers-defeseman-set-to-compete-at-2024-summer-olympics" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/sidney-crosby-to-the-rangers-once-and-for-all-resolved" } } ] }

Should The Rangers Prioritize Drafting Defense Over Offense?