Report: Rangers Sign Gettinger to Entry-Level Contract
The New York Rangers have signed 2016 fifth-round pick Tim Gettinger to an entry-level contract, according to TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie.
Tim Gettinger signed his ELS contract with the Rangers. He was drafted in the 5th round in 2016 draft. 30-22-52 in 59 games in Soo.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) March 15, 2017
It has been an underwhelming year for Rangers’ prospects, but the 18-year-old Gettinger has been one of the organization’s bright spots. Despite a slow start to the season, Gettinger has produced some quality numbers for the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League, with 30 goals and 22 assists in 59 games.
As I wrote when the Rangers drafted him, Gettinger has the size (6’6, 220 lbs) and physicality that scouts usually love but, more importantly, the skill and brain to justify it. The Greyhounds are an analytically-driven team who prioritize puck possession and a finesse game. They view dumping and chasing as a last resort and look to make skilled plays in the offensive zone. In my opinion, this has been a major benefit for Gettinger, because it’s forced him to develop a complete game. Other teams might simply craft him into a pure north-south grinder, but instead he’s cultivating the ability to make passes under pressure in the defensive and neutral zones instead of simply dumping it forward.
The good hands translate to goal scoring ability. The stereotype would lend many to believe he’s simply a net front presence, but his skating ability plus strong wrist shot allow him to be a more complete goal scorer, whether that’s by joining on transition opportunities or by wristing a hard shot from farther out.
Finally, he’s stepped up in big penalty kill minutes for the Greyhounds. His long reach plus good mobility for his size allows him to disrupt the opposition’s puck movement.
Gettinger still has a long road ahead of him. He’ll be in the OHL again next season and will likely need a few seasons in the AHL. However, he has certainly earned his entry-level contract. His skating needs work and he would do well to engage physically a bit more. Nonetheless, he certainly is on the right path to becoming a quality bottom-six NHL winger.