Don't Mess With The Metro

I watched the 2016-17 WJC, I don’t need the “BU BU BUT JEERRMEEYY BRRRRAACCCOOO” bullshit and don’t you dare think “BUT GRREEENNWAYYY”. Yes I also am aware that Ryan Gropp “only put up just over a point per game in an overage year!1!1!1” but please just hear me out here. Yes, I am the kid that is about to write an article about how Ryan Gropp has a very nice shot. Before you use the “if i can’t use the b-word about Ryan Gropp can I use the r-word for that Anttiup32 kid” I’m not retarded (well I mean I’ve never been diagnosed).

Onto Ryan Gropp, or the kid who everyone else calls “Should’ve been Jeremy Bracco”. Gropp is a natural sniper, it’s clear the Rangers fell in love with Gropp’s shot and hoped the rest of his game was just blooming late. Well they got one thing right, his shot is off the charts however as we all know you don’t make the NHL because you can shoot a puck-apparently they don’t even let you on a world juniors team just because you can shoot the puck. I’ve also heard the whole “Gropp? He’s carried by Barzal” nonsense, Mat Barzal is an exceptional talent but if you think he’s the only guy who can pass a puck I think you need to watch more hockey.

Gropp has solid size at 6’3″ and uses his body well to protect the puck and to battle in and around the net. Gropp is a natural sniper with the great hands with the ability to finish, and an excellent wrist shot and release to score from outside the circles. For his size he’s pretty quick as well with great acceleration and solid speed. Holding Gropp back is his defensive game and consistency as well as the normal lower body strength and physical fitness. Don’t get me wrong Gropp doesn’t project as an elite top line winger but if this kid is on your 3rd or 4th line you are doing something right.

On the Topic of Gropp’s development in his overage year Seattle Coach Steve Konowalchuk said "He became one of our best penalty killers, It was good to see. Sometimes the skill guys at the junior level sometimes don't take pride in the penalty killing," but that "it was something he wanted to do and focus on.", Rangers’ Player development VP Adam Graves said "He can skate and shoot as well as anyone in junior hockey. This year was a big, big year for him. He went back [to junior] and really worked on his game and I think it showed."

The next step for Gropp, after leaving Seattle with a Chynoweth Cup, should surely be Hartford with the Wolfpack. After a down year for the team last year they’ll need Gropp to produce and with a strong training camp he should receive Top 6 minutes and could possibly be linemates with either Lias Andersson or Filip Chytil, who I think both would be great fits for Gropp’s game. It’s time to see how Gropp adjust to the AHL where his game should continue to develop and his shot should shine...his complete game on the other hand must develop before he can think about stepping onto the MSG ice.

Follow Matt on Twitter @Anttiup32