Libor Hajek's coach in the WHL, John Paddock, said that he is close to being NHL ready, could compete for a roster spot next season and also has the ability to be a "top-four defenseman in the league for a long-time." (Newsday & NY Post)

Hajek has said that he intends to make the Rangers out of training camp.

Paddock describes Hajek, a left hand shot, as "low maintenance" and is a "real good, solid, all-around player who does a lot of things well." (NYRangers.com)

He added that Hajek was like a "sponge' and always doing extra work and talking to coaches about how to become a better player. (NYRangers.com)

Paddock noted that Hajek needs to "believe how good he is" and while he is a shy and quiet person he needs to play with some swagger. (NYRangers.com)

Chris Drury described Hajek as someone who is "mature beyond his years," has a lot of "quality attributes" and has the potential to be a top-four defenseman. (The Athletic)

Jeff Gorton has said that Hajek is someone they have coveted for a while, two-way defenseman, can play against better players, strong player, can play on the PP, real character kid. The kind of kid you build your defense around.

On Rangers Night Live recently, Joe Micheletti said that the Rangers believe that Hajek has a long-career as a top-four defenseman in front of him. (MSG)

Adam Graves said that he has seen Hajek play a lot and that he is an "excellent talent" and "excels in all aspects of the game." (NHL.com)

Adam Rotter: There are some around the league that do not believe Libor Hajek will make the Rangers out of training camp but it's hard to find many who don't expect him to be with the Rangers by the end of the season. He doesn't seem to have one part of his game that really jumps out, but instead seems like he is instead "good-to very good" in all areas of his game. With Brady Skjei, Marc Staal and a group of Freddy Claesson, John Gilmour and Brendan Smith on the left side, the Rangers can afford to let Hajek develop in Hartford like they did with Ryan McDonagh and Brady Skjei. Hajek projects out to be a big part of the Rangers future, but he won't be rushed and will join the Rangers when the time is right.

Popular in the Community