Ryan Gropp

October 2020 – Ryan Gropp did not receive a qualifying offer from the New York Rangers upon expiration of his entry-level-contract. The former second-round draft-pick will become an unrestricted free agent. Brayden Olafson

March 2020 – The 23-year-old Rangers prospect has continued to stumble clumsily through his introduction to the pro circuit. Injuries abound, Gropp has been unable to lock down a consistent role in the AHL and has spent his first two seasons split between Hartford of the AHL and Maine of the ECHL. As a former second-round draft-pick, his current trajectory is quite disappointing. With his ELC coming to an end this July, there’s still some hope that the organization will re-up with him based on his pedigree, but it’s unlikely that he goes much further with the organization unless he takes a massive step next year. If the team chooses not to renew his contract, Gropp may have a better opportunity with a change of scenery, but at this point, no matter where he goes the NHL seems a long ways away. Brayden Olafson

February 2019 – The former second-round pick has had a severely underwhelming sophomore campaign as a professional. The term AHLer can’t even be used exclusively when referencing Gropp as the prospect has struggled to maintain his status as a legitimate player at that level even now in his second year with the team. Gropp was demoted to the ECHL at the beginning of December where he played a successful eight-game stint before returning to Hartford. His production has remained disappointing and is in the process of quickly dissolving any shred of fantasy relevance that he had remaining. Brayden Olafson

August 2018 – After an entire WHL career of being fed by one the best set-up guys in the game, Matt Barzal, Ryan Gropp integrated himself into an all-new pace of play with the Hartford Wolfpack in his rookie campaign. The newcomer struggled with consistency in his introduction to the pro game, but began to hit his stride in the last month of the Wolfpack season. With a somewhat transient lineup expected for the AHL squad this year, Gropp could be a fixture and look to build on his late success. At this point in his career, Gropp isn’t quite looking like what the Rangers would’ve hoped for out of their 41st overall pick, but could still turn out to be a serviceable depth winger. Brayden Olafson

February 2017 — Gropp is having a strong offensive season in 2016/17, leading the Seattle Thunderbirds in scoring (23G, 35A, 50GP) as they contend for the top spot in the WHL’s Western Conference.  The big-bodied winger has been red hot since January 1st posting 34 points in 19 games including an impressive seven-game goal streak and overall thirteen-game point streak.  Seattle is well positioned to repeat a deep playoff run and Gropp’s leadership will play a key role down the stretch.  Geoff Kent

October 2016 – In a surprise twist, Ryan Gropp was sent back by the New York Rangers to the Seattle Thunderbirds as an overager this year. Gropp finished last year with 34 goals and 36 assists for 70 points in 66 games and was seemingly poised to crack the Hartford Wolf Pack’s lineup. Gropp doesn’t have much left to learn at the junior level so he should be ready for the AHL this time next year. Dylan Finan

January 2016  – Gropp is at a point-per-game pace right now for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. That’s 21 goals and 20 assists in the 41 appearances he has made for Seattle. He should coast by his point total of 58 from last year and hopefully make a run in the playoffs with the Thunderbirds. Bryan Puffer

June 2015 – Rangers take Gropp 41st. A long-term project, but potential second-line goal scorer. Best to wait a couple of years to see what you have before drafting. Dobber

June 2015 – Gropp is a dangerous offensive player with a bullet of a shot. He is a natural goal scorer and isn’t afraid to unleash his shot from anywhere on the ice. As a shoot first player Gropp has a tendency to have tunnel vision with the puck and his overall point potential is a bit limited by average hockey sense. Gropp is also effective at using his frame and strength to bully his way into high scoring areas. With added foot speed Gropp could have a Jeff Carter like impact at the NHL level. He’s not the safest pick in the draft but the potential is there. Donesh Mazloum