Traverse City Game Thread: Rangers vs Wild

After a short break in the action, the New York Rangers prospects return to the ice this afternoon for their third and final round robin game of the 2019 Traverse City Prospect Tournament. Today’s opponent is the Minnesota Wild, who are winless through their two games and currently reside at the bottom of the Ted Lindsay Division with just a single point.

This afternoon’s game begins at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Stream Links: Rangers NHL.com | Wild NHL.com | Fox Sports Go

Minnesota Wild

Minnesota’s farm system hasn’t fared so well in this year’s prospect rankings as Corey Pronman had them ranked 22nd during his offseason series for The Athletic. Through three games at Traverse City, the Wild only have three goals to their name prior to today’s contest. Two players to keep an eye on for the Wild are their pair of 2019 selections in Hunter Jones and Adam Beckman.

Hunter Jones was Minnesota’s second round selection from the 2019 draft and they traded back to select the goaltender out of the Ontario Hockey League. Jones has yet to appear in game thus far during the tournament, but given Minnesota’s place in the standings they may to opt to give him a chance this afternoon.

Beckman, 18, who was selected in the third round of the 2019 draft is a natural centerman from the Spokane Chiefs. He led the team in goals last season with 32 goals in 68 games, and became the first rookie to lead the team in goals since the 1998 season.

Player to Watch: Kaapo Kakko

After missing the first two games with an undisclosed illness, Kaapo Kakko finally makes his tournament debut for the New York Rangers. Fans have been chomping at the bit to see Kakko play, and this afternoon, they will finally have that opportunity. He will be on a line with Vitali Kravsov and Karl Henriksson, so they should be able to do some damage whenever they are on the ice together.