JTMiller

These three Rangers prospects are potential fill-ins for the injured Derek Stepan.

Welcome to my second installment of "The Journey", which chronicles the path of up and coming prospects to the NHL. With the recent news Rangers center Derek Stepan will miss an estimated four to six weeks after suffering a serious leg injury, the team must figure out what to do to fill the gap in the lineup. With virtually no free agents at the center ice position available on the open market, New York's options are to make a trade or fill the role internally. Today "The Journey" highlights three players already with the organization you worth monitoring.

JT Miller

Dobber Hockey Top 215 Prospects Rank: 32

<div id="imageright"><script type="text/javascript"src="http://ap.lijit.com///www/delivery/fpi.js?z=198568&u=dobbersports&width=300&height=250″></script></div> JT Miller was selected by the New York Rangers with the 15th overall pick at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Though some pundits regarded the selection of Miller at the midway point of the first round as a reach, the Rangers were confident they were drafting a future top nine forward. Miller appears to be proving New York right, and has the makings of a power forward in the NHL. Miller is 6-2, 195 lbs and is an excellent skater, a rare combination which is always highly coveted in the NHL. Miller can play all three forward positions so his versatility is another thing which makes him a unique player. He's a good two-way player who admittedly is more developed on the defensive side of the puck at this point in his career. Miller honed his skills with the United States National Development Team, where he would become a key player in international tournaments, helping Team USA win three Gold medals. After originally choosing the NCAA route, Miller opted to play junior hockey for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL. Miller was over a point per game player for Plymouth and even though he didn't dominate, New York felt he was ready to start his professional career.     During the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, Miller flip flopped back and forth between the AHL and NHL and further developed into a well-rounded player. He ended up playing four games during the Rangers run to the Stanley Cup final, notching two assists in the process. Miller is arguably the most NHL-ready player in the Rangers system to step up in place of the injured Stepan. Whether New York chooses to use him as a center or wing remains to be seen, but his combination of size, skating, speed and two-way ability make him the safest bet among the three players profiled in this column. Miller is still considered a prospect due to lack of NHL games played but there's no doubt he'll stick in the NHL eventually, and for many years to come. Miller’s fantasy value ultimately depends on how the rest of his offensive game evolves as a pro, but keep your expectations with him modest.   Read more on JT Miller<a href="http://prospects.dobbersports.com/New-York-Rangers-Top-Prospects/j-miller">here</a>.   JT Miller scores his first two NHL goals:   <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ucYAYrCPSAA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

Kevin Hayes

Dobber Hockey Top 215 Prospects Rank: 55

New York Rangers GM Glen Sather paid a hefty price to land Martin St. Louis at the trade deadline this past season, shipping out Ryan Callahan, plus two 1st round picks to Tampa Bay. Yes, the Rangers would end up going all the way to the Stanley Cup final despite losing to Los Angeles in the end. The fact doing so left New York without a 1st round draft pick in 2014 and 2015 still hung over Sather’s head. What could be done to replace the loss of those high draft picks? In today’s NHL now more than ever, teams are built through the draft. Enter Kevin Hayes. Hayes was originally a first round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2010. He was just coming off a huge breakout season as a senior for Boston College after playing on a line with Johnny Gaudreau and Bill Arnold. Expectations were Hayes would sign with Chicago at the conclusion of the college season. Hayes was a finalist for the Hobey Baker as Top Collegiate Player of the Year. He was a first team all-star. After a tumultuous first three years of college hockey, a journey that saw Hayes as just a small part of two National Championships. Hayes struggled with consistency and had to learn how to use his size and play a power forward game. His journey would feature multiple injuries and even an embarrassing suspension due to off-ice behavior. But after all that, Hayes journey led him to the top of college hockey this past summer, and became a highly coveted free agent. <div style="margin: 20px 0px; width: 100%; min-height 50px; background-color: lightgray;"> 📢 advertisement:  <div align="center" data-freestar-ad="__336x280 __336x280" id="dobberhockey_incontent_1"> <script data-cfasync="false" type="text/javascript"> freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "dobberhockey_incontent_1", slotId: "dobberhockey_incontent_1" }); </script> </div> </div>   Hayes had finally put it altogether and the results were very impressive. As rumors began to swirl, it was clear he had the leverage in contract negotiations with Chicago and could dictate where he plays. Hayes would end up signing with the Rangers and instantly became the top prospect in the organization. Sather has seemingly made up for trading one of New York’s first round picks with the acquisition of the 22-year-old Hayes. The Rangers added a 6-5, 225 lbs power forward who possesses great skating ability and offensive acumen to compliment his immense size. Hayes is a player with terrific vision and the type of player you want on the ice for a power play. His shot is lethal and he can play center or wing effectively. He’s obviously a very powerful guy and adding that element down the middle could make quite the impact for New York, whether it’s this season or in next. Hayes has the most fantasy upside of the player’s featured in this column. Imaging Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes on the same line seems truly nightmarish!   Read more on Kevin Hayes<a href="http://prospects.dobbersports.com/New-York-Rangers-Top-Prospects/kevin-hayes">here</a>.   Watch big no. 12 score a hat trick for Boston College <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZl9aiC49_A"> </a> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OZl9aiC49_A?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

Oscar Lindberg

Dobber Hockey Top 215 Prospects Rank: 152

Oscar Lindberg is a speedy, hard-working center with good playmaking ability. The 6-1, 190 lb Swedish center is very defensively attentive and possesses excellent faceoff skills. Lindberg was originally a second round pick by the Coyotes in 2009, but was traded to the Rangers in 2011 for Ethan Werek (who has since been let go by Arizona and is currently a free agent). He spent three seasons working his way up the lineup to become an impact player for the Skelleftea of the Swedish Hockey League. He would develop into one of the league's best two-way forwards and the Rangers signed him to an entry-level deal in 2012. The 2012-13 season was Lindberg's final in the SHL, where he posted career numbers and helped his team win the SHL championship. He was also named playoff MVP after tying for the league lead in points and dominating in the faceoff circle.   Last season was Lindberg's first year in North America, playing for Hartford of the American Hockey League. Lindberg finished second on the team in points, third in goals and led the team in shots on goal and generally impressed as a rookie. He will likely carve out a role as a third line center in the NHL, but there's believed to be some untapped offensive potential worth exploring. He'll have to work extra hard in camp to impress the coaching staff if he wants to earn a spot over the aforementioned Miller or Hayes. Lindberg will see time with New York this season at some point but barring other significant injuries down the middle, will spend most of the season in the AHL. At this point Lindberg has the least fantasy upside of the three players in this column but he’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.   Read more on Oscar Lindberg<a href="http://prospects.dobbersports.com/New-York-Rangers-Top-Prospects/oscar-lindberg">here</a>. Oscar Lindberg SHL highlights <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZJ7iA3QRy8"> </a> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OZJ7iA3QRy8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

Randall Buschmann has been covering the Tampa Bay Lightning for Dobber Prospects since December 2012. He spends way too much time on Twitter and can be reached @thehockeyhitman

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