Prospect Pipeline Scouting Report: Previewing the Frozen Four NCAA Playoffs
March means playoff hockey in the NCAA, and several Rangers prospects are chasing the Frozen Four. Here’s a look at how their seasons went and where they stand as the postseason begins.
It’s that time of year—the sun is out, the snow is melting, there’s a cool breeze in the air, and playoff hockey is around the corner.
While the NHL season still has a ways to go, and the New York Rangers surely won't be in the quest for the Stanley Cup this year, the college hockey regular season has just ended. Each school is now beginning its journey to make it to the Frozen Four, and the Rangers have a total of six prospects making a championship push. As the other March Madness is about to get underway, let's do a quick check in to see how their season went and provide an update on where they're at in the playoff race.
Brody Lamb - C/RW, University of Minnesota
The captain of the Golden Gophers finished his senior year with a career high point total. While 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in 34 games played was impressive in its own right, the most helpful part of Lamb’s season in terms of development was how he was utilized as one of Minnesota’s top players. Lamb was drafted as a right winger, which is where he’ll surely play at the professional level, but he began getting reps as the team’s top center later in the season. Being capable of playing both wing and center is only going to help his chances when it comes to cracking an NHL roster down the road.
University of Minnesota’s season was on the line this week as they took on Gavin McKenna’s Penn State Nittany Lions in the quarterfinals of the Big 10 tournament on Mar. 11. The Gophers had a season record of 1-3 against the Nittany Lions, so going into it they knew they had their work cut out for them. Making matters worse was Lamb having to miss out on playing in the senior night regular season finale, as he is currently nursing a lower-body injury. Lamb blocked four shots in his last game against Michigan State, which likely played a role in keeping him out. Gophers head coach Bob Motzko was hopeful Lamb would be good to go for the quarterfinal game, and sure enough, he was.
Unfortunately, even with a healthy Lamb, it wasn't enough for Minnesota. It was a quick end to what has been a disappointing season for the maroon and gold, as they fell to Penn State by a score of 6-2, finishing the year with an 11-22-3 record. However, now that their season is over, Lamb is eligible to sign his entry-level contract, and the Rangers should look to do that as soon as possible. Whether he joins the Hartford Wolf Pack for the rest of the season or even gets a look with the Rangers, he has the potential to be an effective player for them as early as next season.
His lingering injury of course could play a role in his and the Rangers' decision, as they have until the summer to get him under contract. Nevertheless, they'd be wise to get him professional hockey experience sooner rather than later. After all, Noah Laba's 11 game trial in Hartford at the end of last season was enough to make him an NHL regular this season.
