New York Rangers: 2017 NHL Entry Draft preview
By Dan Carrozzi
For the first time in five years, the New York Rangers enter the off-season with a first round draft pick. Stay tuned to Blue Line Station for all your Rangers NHL entry draft coverage!
Yes, you read that right folks, this is not a joke. For the first time since 2012, the New York Rangers have a first round pick in the NHL entry draft.
The Rangers’ first round pick that year, Brady Skjei, has rewarded the Rangers’ patience and flourished in his first full season in the NHL. Hopefully, the Rangers can replicate the success they’ve had with Skjei with their pick this year.
Of course there is a lot that could happen between now and June 23rd in Chicago. Most significantly, there will be a flurry of action when the Vegas Golden Knights officially open for business.
Fear not, those who are squeamish or confused at this foreign concept that is a first round draft pick. General Manager Jeff Gorton still has plenty of time, including the night of the draft, to trade the pick away.
Related Story: New York Rangers heading into new management era
The Picks
As of today, the Rangers have the following selections in the 2017 NHL entry draft:
- Round 1: 21st overall
- Round 4: 102nd overall (via Florida Panthers)
- Round 5: 145th overall
- Round 6: 157th overall (via Vancouver Canucks)
- Round 7: 207th overall
Potential Targets
We will be bringing you in-depth player profiles but here is a brief list of prospects that may appeal to the Rangers at 21st overall.
| Player | Position | Shot | Height | Weight | NHL CSS Final Ranking | ISS May Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowers, Shane | C | L | 6′ 1.25″ | 181 lbs | 16 (NA) | 27 |
| Yamamoto, Kailer | RW | R | 5′ 7.5″ | 153 lbs | 17 (NA) | 26 |
| Timmins, Conor | D | R | 6′ 1.25″ | 185 lbs | 18 (NA) | 28 |
| Jokiharju, Henri | D | R | 5′ 11.25″ | 178 lbs | 19 (NA) | 29 |
| Brannstrom, Erik | D | L | 5′ 10″ | 173 lbs | 9 (EU) | N/A |
(Rankings courtesy of ISSHockey and NHL Central Scouting)
Previous 21st overall picks
Below are a list of the past five 21st overall picks in the NHL entry draft to give some perspective on the types of players that have been available at that draft slot.
| Year | Player | Position | NHL Team | NHL Games | NHL Goals | NHL Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Gauthier, Julien | RW | Carolina Hurricanes | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2015 | White, Colin | C | Ottawa Senators | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | Fabbri, Robby | C | St. Louis Blues | 123 | 29 | 37 |
| 2013 | Gauthier, Frederik | C | Toronto Maple Leafs | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | Jankowski, Mark | C | Ca;gary Flames | 1 | 0 | 0 |
It is too early to tell what the ceiling is for most of these players but one, Robby Fabbri, has already panned out to be a solid NHL player for the St. Louis Blues. Colin White appears to be a very promising prospect as well.
Although most teams would be lucky in drafting a bottom-four defenseman or bottom-six forward in the 21st slot, there is plenty of potential for hitting a home run.
Next: New York Rangers: Top Players of 2016-17
In the next month or so, the team here at Blue Line Station will be throwing plenty of NHL entry draft content in your general direction. From player profiles to potential moves, we will cover all aspects of the draft. We hope we will make you as informed as the rest of us when the Rangers draft yet another prospect that was on none of our radars.