Observations:

After playing the majority of 2016/17 in the ECHL with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (33GP, 3.38 GAA, 0.904%), Skapski failed to earn a qualifying offer from the Rangers when his entry level deal expired at season end.  Skapski did attend the AHL Toronto Marlies training camp on a player try out however after being released the UFA has yet to sign on with another team for the 2017/18 season.  Geoff Kent

January 2017 – Mackenzie had an impressive 2014-15 campaign, posting excellent AHL numbers (28 GP, 2.40 GAA, 0.940 %) while also earning a shutout in his second start with the Blueshirts.  End-of-season hip surgery in mid-2015 resulted in a lengthy rehab and a rough start to the 2015-16 season in which the young goaltender split time between the ECHL and AHL.  Through fourty starts that season he posted a combined GAA just north of three and a save % slightly above 0.900.  Mackenzie's 2016-17 season has felt very similar, splitting time between Hartford and Greenville while posting similar numbers.  In only his third pro season time does remain for Mackenzie to play his way back up the depth chart and he is still worth holding onto in deeper fantasy formats. Geoff Kent

February 2015 – The BC native netminder got another promotion from the Rangers. Skapski was recently called up to the parent club to backup Cameron Talbot, after Henrik Lundqvist was injured. This is a dream come true situation for Skapski, who was in the WHL last season, started the season in ECHL, and now he will be in the NHL for weeks if he lives up the expectations. In the AHL he played in 24 games for the Wolf Pack, and has a 2.38 goals against and 91.4 save percentage. He recorded 12 wins and two shutouts. Lundqvist will be out at least four weeks, which means Skapski definitely will get a chance to start a game or two before the King returns. He has full-time NHL potential, but that is a long ways from being realized. Jozsef Kurtosi

December, 2014 – Mackenzie Skapski will be the Hartford new starting goalie after Cedric Desjardins tore his ACL, a season-ending injury. Skapski is 8-6-2 this season with a GAA of 2.22 and save percentage of 92.2. Jozsef Kurtosi

May, 2014 – The New York Rangers have signed 2013 sixth round pick Mackenzie Skapski to an entry-level contract. Skapski was a relatively unknown prospect when the Rangers scooped him up at the 2013 draft, but has since put himself on the radar. Skapski collected a 28-20-2 record with a 2.70 GAA and .916 SV% in 53 games with the Kootenay this season.. In the playoff, Skapski nor the Kootenay Ice performed very well. He finished the playoffs with an underwhelming 3.78 GAA and  .882 SV%. He is an athletic player and very good at utilizing his large frame to cover the net. He’s got a very sharp glove hand and can make some spectacular saves. Skapski is eligible to return to the WHL for an overage season but it will be not a surprise if he playing pro hockey next fall. Whether that’s in the ECHL with Greenville or the AHL with Hartford remains to be seen. Jozsef Kurtosi

February 2014 – New York drafted Skapski as an overager in 2013 draft. He has been Kootenay Ice’s starting netminder since 2012. He is a workhorse, having played in 65 regular season games last year. In 2013-14 season he struggled most of the first half, but turned the corner after December, when he carried his team almost to the top. Last two months has produced some truly incredible numbers for a junior netminder. He played 18 games in the new year, the results are 15 wins, 2,21 GAA, 93.3 SV%. Skapski is a legitimate prospect who has had consistency issues in the past. Skapski has good size for a goaltender his age, is athletic, but needs to focus on improving his positioning. Next year he will be eligible to play in AHL, but probably will stay in WHL for overager season to round out his game. Jozsef Kurtosi

Fantasy Outlook: D

Consistency has been a challenge for the young netminder.  NHL back-up potential.

Footage:

Mackenzie Skapski highlight reel vs Prince George 2013

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