As we wait for additional information as to the possible return of hockey, not much is going on in Rangersland. Vince Mercogliano conducted a good interview with Morgan Barron, much of which likely was known already but I found a new nugget in one of the quotes from Barron, which I cover below. As asked previously, let me know if there any topics you would like me to cover and/of if a mailbag would interest you.
Barron, selected in the sixth round, 174 overall in 2017, was in the midst of the most dominant season of his career, collecting 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists) in 29 games to lead Cornell when games were halted. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to the top player in college hockey, and named ECAC Hockey Player of the Year. Barron has gotten better each year, maturing into a leader for the Big Red, gaining confidence annually, especially this past season, that he belongs in the NHL. The question though is when will that be.
The NY Post column said: Barron said he is still unsure if he’s ready to forgo his senior season to make the jump to the NHL.
“There’s a ton of stuff [to consider],… Barron said. “Obviously, where I feel I’m at with hockey is going to be a big one, whether I’m able to jump in and make an impact at the pro level or whether I could use one more season in college. … My education is a big thing, I went to Cornell because I wanted to graduate and I need to figure out if that’s going to be a possibility if I leave.“And like I said, I wanted to go to Cornell to win a national championship. That’s something that’s always going to be in the back of my mind while making this decision.…
If he opts to go pro, the Rangers are sure he’s ready. “We’re very confident that he’s ready to be a pro with what he’s done and his maturity on and off the ice,… Chris Drury said. Left unsaid was if a contract had been offered, until the below....
I spoke to Morgan Barron this morning, who has developed into one of #NYR’s best forward prospects but has the option of one more year at Cornell.
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) May 1, 2020
I asked what’s next for the former 6th round pick âž¡ï¸ https://t.co/Q5E5zyvKFY@NYRangerFanclub @WeBleedBlueNYC @myNHLTradeRumor
"Barron has been in contact with the Rangers, who he said "put their offer out and talked to me a little bit about where they think I'm at," but are allowing him to take his time." That sentence makes clear that what we expected - an offer to Barron - was in fact given and that the team is allowing Barron the time and space to make his decision.
He has spoken about the desire to win a college championship. That ability was halted this season with his junior campaign cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, throwing the timeframe for his decision out of whack . Barron has to decide in general whether to stay in school and try and win a title next season, impacted by the lack of clarify right now as to whether Cornell and other universities will have a fall semester and/or sports. Barron may be waiting for that clarity before deciding what he will do for 2020-21 and beyond.