Six prospects who boosted their stock at New York Rangers' development camp

It had been two years since the New York Rangers gathered their prospects for development camp, which left most anxious to get noticed.

For some, the past 10 days have altered their trajectory. At least a few sped up their NHL ETAs, while others clearly need more seasoning.

TAKEAWAYS: From Saturday's scrimmage vs. Flyers' prospects

PROSPECT ANALYSIS: Position-by-position rankings of 30+ players

Now camp is winding down following a weekend split in two exhibition games against rookies from the Philadelphia Flyers. They'll gather one final time Tuesday morning at the MSG Training Center in Tarrytown, but the vast majority of the work has been done.

A handful will stay on for NHL training camp, which begins with physicals on Wednesday and on-ice testing Thursday. But most will head back to play juniors or in European leagues.

Before we look ahead to the 2021-22 Rangers, let's discuss which prospects opened eyes during this long-awaited reunion:

Morgan Barron

The 22-year-old was often the best player on the ice, which is just what the Rangers were looking for.

Frankly, given his experience level, he should have been.

Of the forwards who attended development camp, Barron is the most likely to make the NHL roster. This was his chance to get a head start on the competition and he largely took advantage.

He centered the Rangers' best line in the two games against the Flyers, finding the right balance of offensive-zone pressure and defensive responsibility.

His goal on Saturday was a perfect example. Barron stole the puck near center ice and took off the other way, flicking a wrister from the right circle to snap the Rangers back into focus after a poorly played first period.

Throughout camp, he excelled at retrieving pucks and protecting them once he got possession. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder knows how to use his body along the boards, at the net front and in the defensive zone. He also reads plays well and is rarely caught out of position.

Barron should compete with Kevin Rooney for the fourth-line center role — and he has a good idea of how he can distinguish himself.

"I worked a lot on the summer over little things, like being able to take face-offs," he said Saturday. "I know last year, a big part of my game was learning how to penalty kill at the pro level. It's a little bit different, the style from college. If that's the role that they see me playing, I'm happy to do that. It's something I'll embrace. But to be honest, I'm not too sure where they see me fitting. I think that's probably going to be a decision they'll make as many camp rolls around and they get the opportunity to see me in some exhibition games. But I've worked a long time to try to be a jack of all trades and be able to fit in wherever I’m needed."

Will Cuylle

Perhaps no player did as much to boost his stock as the No. 60 overall selection from the 2020 draft.

Selected with the pick acquired in the trade that sent Lias Andersson to the Los Angeles Kings, Cuylle was a bear for other prospects to deal with throughout camp. His strength jumps out at you, which enables him to manhandle his peers in any one-on-one situation. Most did not want to go into a corner with the 6-foot-3, 212-pounder.

Cuylle impressed with his ability to use that size and aggression defensively, but he was also one of the most effective forwards in the offensive zone. His heavy shot is a clear weapon and he showed off his net-front presence by redirecting two goals in Sunday's scrimmage with the Flyers. He even had a few primary assists throughout camp, which is not considered a big part of his game.

Don't be surprised when the 19-year-old gets an invite to stick around for the main camp. And even though he'll almost surely end up back in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires this season, he's earned an extended stay in New York and an NHL opportunity in the near future.

Zac Jones

Prior to Sunday's scrimmage, I didn't have the 20-year-old defenseman on this list. But the Rangers' brass returned home encouraged by way he played in South Jersey.

Jones still has work to do defensively and adapting to the physicality of the NHL game, which was evident at times during camp. But he was more active in the second game against the Flyers — and there's never been any question about his skill and poise with the puck.

That was evident at practice and especially noteworthy Sunday. He had primary assists on both Cuylle goals, showing his ability to see through traffic and find seams to get his left-handed shot toward the net. And he was dynamic while quarterbacking the power play. He created angles by dancing along the blue line with excellent footwork and effectively kept the puck moving.

My belief is that Jones will get time with AHL Hartford to continue his defensive development. But it's clear he can do things most defensemen can't.

Nils Lundkvist

The 21-year-old defenseman entered development camp as the favorite to win a job on the third pair and did nothing to change that perception.

He admitted feeling "a difference" playing on the smaller sheet of ice in the NHL after coming over from Sweden, which will require "quicker decisions" on his part. You could tell, at times, he's still feeling out that process. He can't hold the puck for as long as he did in the SHL and he'll have to be ready for things to happen fast in the defensive zone.

But all of the attributes that made him the No. 1 prospect in the Rangers' system — the hockey sense, the skill with the puck, the quick release on his shot — were on display. He looked more comfortable as camp wore on, capping it off with the winning goal in Sunday's game against the Flyers.

The real test will begin once he has to start defending proven NHLers later this week, but the 2018 first-round pick should benefit from this grace period.

Lauri Pajuniemi

Like Lundkvist, the 22-year-old forward is adjusting to a much different style of play after coming over from Europe.

He seemed tentative in the first few days of camp, but his game began to pop by early last week. The Rangers were impressed by how quickly he adapted and became their most dangerous offensive forward in the scrimmages against Philly. His high-end shot has been written about before, but the 2018 fifth-round pick also navigated the offensive zone better than anticipated to set up his own shot and make plays for his teammates.

Barron made a point of complimenting Pajuniemi's communication on the ice and "high hockey IQ." He showed that Sunday when he fought through two Flyers and spotted Lundkvist for the primary assist on the winning goal.

He'll get some time with Hartford to continue his adjustment, but he won't be very far down on the right-wing depth chart.

Matthew Robertson

The 20-year-old missed Sunday's game with a lower-body injury, but he thoroughly impressed in the days leading up to that.

Robertson is often rated behind fellow defensemen prospects Lundkvist, Jones and Braden Schneider, including by yours truly. That may be, in part, because he doesn't have the offensive skills of the first two or play with the same physicality of Schneider. But he was the most reliable defensemen at camp.

Schneider was steady back there, too, but Robertson looked harder for forwards to beat in practice situations. He was almost always in sound position and showed a very effective stick, using every bit of his 6-foot-4 reach to his advantage. And for a guy of his size, his fluidity on skates is impressive. He glides with effortless motion and can get from Point A to Point B in a hurry with his long strides.

There are a lot of tools to like from the 2019 second-round pick, who could be in line to make his NHL debut at some point this season.

Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.