Traverse City Tournament Preliminary Stock Report
Traverse City is the light at the end of the dark, damp tunnel that were the dog days of summer. It is the first real hockey for the New York Rangers that isn’t that small scrimmage camp after the draft, and it’s the first time we get a real look at some of the team’s top prospects playing in actual competitive games.
Due to this, Traverse City is often looked at as a legitimate litmus test for where a prospect stands with his development. I would caution you against doing that — even though this article will examine expectations for all of the major prospects who are taking part in the tournament.
OK, let’s get started. I am only going to go over prospects who are truly exceptional and valuable to the team (even if they won’t be making it to the NHL this year) or have a chance of cracking the Opening Night roster.
The Tournament Means Nothing For Them Tier
Kaapo Kakko — I could not be more excited for the first “real” look at Kakko in a Rangers’ sweater. I have been dreaming of this day since 2018 when I first found out Kakko was a human who existed and was exceptional at hockey.
Coming off a season of unprecedented production for a player of his age in Liiga, having an exceptional campaign during Finland’s gold medal campaign in the World Juniors, scoring six goals in 10 games during Finland’s gold medal World Championship campaign, and being an ox of a human, it’s hard to imagine Kakko not simply dominating Traverse City.
That said, it’s worth keeping in mind that Traverse City is sort of like a drunken uncle when it comes to hockey. There’s no real systems, some guys are playing for their professional lives so they’re trying to do too much, almost none of these guys have played with each other before, and, generally speaking, it’s just a mess. Kakko should dominate on his own because, again, he’s an ox and a demi-god compared to most of the players who will be his peers in Michigan, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him doing a lot more deferring and a lot less asserting — especially in the beginning. And that’s fine.
If he doesn’t record a single shot on goal in this tournament it means literally nothing for his NHL future this year.
Vitali Kravtsov — Kravtsov is another professional player being thrown into a prospect tournament, but, unlike Kakko, he is not an ox of a human. Although, he might be one day if he fills out his 6-foot-3 frame.
For all the same reasons we might not see Kakko dominate, Kravtsov could also have a quiet tournament, especially if he chooses to defer to other players. I’m not expecting it to happen — he should be used to playing with a lack of support from his KHL days — but it’s possible. There is an adjustment to be made here for the North American game, but Kravtsov has all the skill he needs and then some to make an impact in Michigan.
Adam Fox — Fox is an interesting case. Mike and I debated his potential impact on this week’s podcast specifically. Fox is NHL-ready — even if he needs to slow cook there — and he was one of the best players in the NCAA last year if not the best.
Fox is more than likely going to be on the Opening Night roster, but his place is far less certain than the two names above him here. His time in Traverse City won’t really impact that decision at all, but I would expect Fox to do well. Remember, he’s 21, so he will have a wealth of experience under his belt compared to some of his peers.
Igor Shesterkin — Remember how I compared Traverse City to being like a drunken uncle? Well, for goalies it’s twice as bad. Expecting even a sound defensive structure from any team in Traverse City would be a mistake. And while it’s true that Shesterkin has established himself as one of the best goalies in the KHL, this tournament is likely going to be a bit of a shock when it comes to what’s in front of him.
These games can be pretty high scoring, so we should pause before giving a couple of starts in Traverse City too much significance, regardless of how the Russian goalie plays. With that being said, it would be great to see him show some flashes of being the goalie who has had Rangers fans buzzing for the last few years.
You’d Like To See Good Stuff Tier
Karl Henriksson — As a new draftee, Henriksson’s inclusion is going to be a fun North American look for the 58th overall pick. After putting up a dominant campaign in SuperElit, Henriksson has a chance to show off a little bit of the skill that made the Rangers overlook his size to take him.
He has two games of SHL experience, and has been a big-time international presence for Sweden the past three years — including playing for the U20 team this season already. There’s a lot to like about his game, and while he doesn’t need a good showing here to solidify anything, you’d love to see him do well. It’s also worth noting that a lot of the Rangers free agent invites for Traverse City are centers, so one would hope that the Swede stands out when compared to them.
Matthew Robertson — Tournaments like Traverse City aren’t the best for a guy like Robertson — who is a true mobile defensive defenseman. However, for a player who can skate the way Robertson can, you’d expect him to be able to work his own way through some bumps in the road.
Robertson has all the tools to become what we will soon come to know as the modern shutdown defenseman, and this will be our first look at it.
You Really Hope They Make A Good Impression Tier
Yegor Rykov — I toyed with putting Rykov in the tier above this one, but because of his age and the fact that moving to the smaller North American ice surface can be beneficial for defensemen, I plugged him in here.
Rykov isn’t making the NHL roster this year — unless some unexpected injuries occur — but he is 22 and has three full seasons of KHL experience. While the lack of defensive cohesion is going to be an issue for everyone playing the back end of the ice in the tournament, you should see Rykov assert himself. That experience in the KHL should serve him well here.
Tarmo Reunanen — Reunanen has becomes a rising star int he Rangers’ system, garnering 25 points in 58 games for Lukko in Liiga last year. The Finn is going to be spending the year in Liiga again, but he’s a guy who should be looking to break into the NHL scene sooner rather than later. Not that Traverse City is (or should be) a be-all-end-all for evaluating prospects, but you’d really like to see Reunanen make a big impression here.
Joey Keane — Keane shot out of the gate in his post-draft year like a cannon before his production ground to a near standstill. I loved Keane-sanity when it was happening, but I’m not too sure there’s much of an NHL future for him with the Rangers.
Some prospect experts I trust have him ranked way higher than I do, but I’m not sure he’s anywhere near making this roster. There’s simply too many bigger names in front of him. That said, if he wants to prove me wrong, having a fantastic Traverse City isn’t a bad place to start.
