The Rangers currently have five defensemen under the age of 28 on their roster and two more top prospects on the way, so it’s very likely New York will be looking to add some offensive firepower with its first-round pick, No. 15 overall in the NHL Draft.

Between now and June 24th, we’ll take a look at some of the forwards that the Rangers might be thinking about taking on draft day.  Today, we look at…

Ty Rattie

HT: 5-11

WT: 170

Pos: LW

Shoots: R

Birthday: 2/5/93

Team: Portland, WHL

2009-2010 stats: 17g, 20a, 61gp, 38PIM, +10

2010-2011 stats: 28g, 51a, 67gp, 55PIM, +20

2010-2011 playoffs: 9g, 13a, 21gp, 22PIM

NHL.com profile > 

Ranks:

The Hockey News: 33

CSS: 17 Midterm Rank: 11

ISS: 27 

TSN: 25 Midterm Rank: 17 

TSN (Craig Button): 29 

The Scouting Report: 30 Midterm Rank: 20 

Bruins 2011 Draft Watch: 19

Corey Pronman: 21 

ESPN: 23

Highlight Reel > 

What They’re Saying:

THN – “A skilled offensive player on the small side, Ty Rattie reminds some scouts of Buffalo rookie Tyler Ennis in terms of hockey sense and puck skills.  Only Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Sven Bartschi outscored Rattie among draft-eligible players in the WHL, but because of his size and skating, Rattie is a step below those two.  He finds a way to produce despite not being the best of skaters.  What he lacks in speed and fluid skating, though, he makes up for with slick skills and an ability to make things happen in tight spaces.  ‘When his name is all over the scoresheet, what are you going to say?’ a scout said.  ‘He might be one of those guys someone grabs because he scores.  It’s hard to score in (the WHL), so somebody might say, ‘Why not take him?’’ ‘He’s not the prettiest skater,’ another said.  ‘But because he’s got the talent, it doesn’t hurt him at this level and probably won’t at the next level.’”

The Scouting Report – “Coming into the season, Ty Rattie was thought of as a potential top-10 pick for the 2011 Entry Draft, but has seen his stock drop slightly. Rattie has an excellent shot and the ability to release it quickly. Rattie has also shown great chemistry with his linemates, ably setting them up with crisp, solid passes. The biggest issues with Rattie’s game are that he tends to disappear at times and plays primarily on the perimeter. Rattie is a work in progress, but he has the raw skills that simply can’t be taught to a young offensive player.”

Bruins 2011 Draft Watch –“Small but creative playmaking winger hit the wall a bit in the second half, but is still a solid first-round prospect with upside. The Albertan isn't a blazer, but is very strong on his skates and highly elusive, able to slither through defenses and would-be checkers in full control of the puck. NHL scouts tell us that his second WHL season was so much more impressive than his first, when he seemed to spend more time trying the flashy play and forcing things. This season, Rattie was much more patient, working with his linemates better and not trying to do it all himself. His 79 points were third on the team behind Ryan Johansen and Bartschi, and look for Rattie to push for 90 to 100+ points next season.” 

Corey Pronman – “Ty Rattie exploded out of the gates this season for Portland and while he didn't maintain that pace down the stretch, he established a high draft stock for himself with his performance throughout the year. He's a solid skater who moves pretty fluidly and is very agile and elusive. Rattie can touch an above-average top speed, but you don't see that consistently from him. His puck skills are great and grade as a plus tool. He's tremendous in open space and unless you knock him off the puck, it's very hard to separate it from Rattie. His passing game is above-average and he shows a moderately advanced and calm demeanor to his distribution game as he makes quick plays under tight pressure, but can also set up along the left sideboards on the power play and really control the action. Rattie's shot tool is solid and could flash above-average. He doesn't need much to lean into his shot to get it off with accuracy and velocity. Rattie's physical game will likely top out as fringe and is below that now, but he does work hard when defenders engage him along the wall and he will go hard to the net for chances. His hockey sense is decent—there are times when his vision and awareness will impress and other times where he simply tries to force the cross-ice pass too much or doesn't cover his defensive assignment well.”

THN.com – “As the season goes on, Rattie’s draft ranking moves up. Now firmly ensconced in the projected first round, the six-foot, 170-pounder is making concerns about his size and positioning seem secondary to the tremendous offensive skill he possesses.  ‘I know how to find the net,’ Rattie said. ‘I know how to find the open guy through skates and sticks.’  And he has done just that for Portland this season. His 45 points in 35 games ranks fifth in the ‘Dub’ and just one back of linemate Sven Bartschi. It’s also a far cry from the pedestrian numbers he put up as a highly touted rookie last season.   ‘Rookie years are always tough,’ Rattie said. ‘Moving to a different country, leaving my family and friends…I got a little homesick. The biggest thing right now is I’m confident.’”

Jess Rubenstein – “Callahan size and work ethic.  Not as skilled on defense but has made great strides. Good first step and has a very high Hockey IQ.  Has only scratched surface of skill level and I expect next season to be a breakout year.”

Mock Drafts:

Adam Kimelman, NHL.com – N/A 

Mike Morreale, NHL.com – N/A 

Steven Hoffner, NHL.com – N/A 

Deven Persaud, NHL.com – 18 

TSN.ca – 21 

Gary Joyce, ESPN – 22 

Mark Seidel, CBC – 24 

Hockey's Future - 28

The Hockey News - 22

Thoughts: Rattie possesses two qualities that are among the most concerning for forward prospects: a lack of size and questionable skating.  One of those problems is enough to worry scouts, having both is definitely reason for worry.  Nevertheless, some players are simply producers offensively despite other glaring knocks on their game.  Jess Rubenstein likens Rattie to Ryan Callahan, music to Rangers’ fans ears.  If he has only scratched the surface, he may turn into something special, but right now he seems like a risk.

The Rangers took Dylan McIlrath from the WHL last year and frequently draft players from that league.  Rattie seems like another character guy that may lack elite skills.  In other years, that type of player would be more appealing for New York, but right now the Blueshirts sorely lack a game-breaker.

Season Review:

Breaking Down The Defense >

Breaking Down The Goalies >

Breaking Down The Offense >

Breaking Down The Prospects >

How Three Free Agent Signings In 2007 Have Shaped The Eastern Conference >

Spotlight On Glen Sather >

Spotlight On John Tortorella >

Rangers Land Tim Erixon: What Does It Mean?

Richards Rumors Swirl > 

More Erixon Trade Fallout >

Player Reviews:

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Spotlight On Brian Boyle >

Spotlight On Matt Gilroy >

Spotlight On Ruslan Fedotenko >

Spotlight On Brandon Prust >

Spotlight On Bryan McCabe >

Spotlight On Alex Frolov >

Spotlight On Michael Del Zotto >

Spotlight On Martin Biron >

Spotlight On Brandon Dubinsky >

Spotlight On Marc Staal >

Spotlight On Steve Eminger >

Spotlight On Henrik Lundqvist >

Spotlight On Wojtek Wolski >

Spotlight On Sean Avery >

Spotlight On Dan Girardi >

Spotlight On Erik Christensen >

Spotlight On Ryan McDonagh >

Spotlight On Vinny Prospal >

Spotlight On Derek Stepan >

Spotlight On Marian Gaborik >

Spotlight On Chris Drury >

Draft Profiles:

Zack Phillips >

Sven Bartschi >

Mark Scheifele >

Mika Zibanejad > 

Mark McNeill >

Brandon Saad >

Joel Armia >

Nicklas Jensen >

Alexander Khokhlachev >

Tyler Biggs >

Matt Puempel >

Rickard Rakell >

Mario Lucia >

Tomas Jurco >

Dmitri Jaskin >

Phillip Danault >

Rocco Grimaldi >

Ty Rattie >