2013 Draft Review: Rangers Nab 3 Forwards, a Defender and a Goalie

Adam Tambellini – 65 Overall (Third Round)

New York Rangers 65 overall pick, Adam Tambellini, son of former Oilers GM Steve, and brother of Jeff. Mandatory Credit: Jason Kurylo.

Adam Tambellini, selected as the Rangers first pick of the NHL draft (65 overall) is a 6’3″ center, who put up 66 points for the Surrey Eagles of the BCHL. He averaged 2 points per game during the 52 games he played during the BCHL season, and also scored the game winning goal for the team in their championship game, where during the playoffs he averaged a point per game.

He’s currently committed to go to the University of North Dakota next season, but from what experts have said about Tambellini, he’s one that likes to practice and get extra time on the ice, and is a very strong sniper. I expect him to play for the Rangers in a few years, given that he’s ready to make the jump for the college game, and he’ll be a solid second or third line center for the team. Yet, time will tell what can happen, cause its important for a young player like Tambellini to get the all important time growing more into the game.

Pavel Buchnevich – 75 Overall (Third Round)

Pavel Buchnevich (above) was selected 75 overall by the New York Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Championat.com

Pavel Buchnevich has flashes of a really solid offensive player, someone who can bring speed and skill to the game, something the Rangers are not short of in that department (Nash, Kreider, Hagelin), but could use more of.  Many draft experts say while he could of easily been a first or second round draft pick, there’s a lot of question to his character and his effort. How will this affect him in New York?

He’s a solid playmaker where he can break the defense and can make a very good play because of the defensive break. He was rated as Hockey Future’s second best Russian prospect for this years draft, though another risk that lowered his draft status was that he never made any indication on weather he’d jump to the NHL once his contract expires with the MHL in the 2013-2014 season.

Due to this, we may never see him lace up in the NHL for a few more years, or at all. He still needs to get a little more on the physical side, but he will be an impact player once he gets over in America for the NHL, if that happens.

Anthony Duclair – 80 Overall (Third Round)

Anthony Duclair was drafted 80 overall by the New York Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Universehockey.ca

The Rangers third and final pick of the third round game to a kid, who is only 17 years old, and his best hockey has yet to come. His 50 points in 55, put him at a little less than a point per game, which was on par with last season where he was only 16. Don’t expect him to go right into the NHL when he turns 18 though in August, he has a lot of hockey to learn yet.

He can use his speed and his offense feeds off of his teams defense starting the play in the back. He has a cannon of a shot that will only get better, and is a solid player on the power play (and as Ranger fans can admit – we need all the help we can get). Yet he doesn’t have the hockey sense or the true ice vision that many good players in the NHL have at this time. While we have to remember that he’s only 17, he needs a few years in juniors still to develop his game.

Don’t expect to see him in the NHL for another 2-3 years. Let his game develop more in juniors, and allow him to gain all aspects of the game better as well, both on the offensive and defensive end.

Ryan Graves – 110 Overall (Fourth Round)

Ryan Graves (above in white) drafted 110 overall by the New York Rangers. Mandatory Credit: Brian McInnis

The Rangers needed to add a defenseman, and they did in Ryan Graves. Graves is noted at being a big force on the defensive end, liking to stay down at that end, and has effectively started to play a solid game on the defensive side of the end. He can deliver smart bone crushing hits putting the opponent off the puck, and is known to drop the gloves as well.

While its never a bad thing for a team to have too much defense, its a telling sign that with them drafting another stay at home defenseman what they think of the current development of Dylan McIlrath. Many felt that he would be ready to crack the big roster by the start of this season, and with many setbacks in his development, many feel with the drafting of Graves this could be the beginning of the end for McIlrath in the Rangers organization.

Or maybe not, because like I said before its never a bad thing to have too many defenseman.

Mackenzie Skapski – 170 Overall (Sixth Round)

Mackenzie Skapski was drafted 170 overall by the New York Rangers. Mandatory Credit: CHL.ca

The final draft pick that was made by the New York Rangers was a possible heir to the Kings throne. While there isn’t that much about Skapski, there has been vast improvement to his game from last season alone. He bounced back after a rough year, and worked on his position more, as well as his rebound control. While that is still a work in progress, they have said his positioning has improved quite a deal, and he’ll need a little more conditioning before he makes his way over to the NHL.

He’s also good at playing his angles. Yet, with not a lot on him, we don’t know how good he’ll actually be, we’re hoping for the best with him, as the Rangers have yet to have any luck to draft a solid goaltender to learn under Lundqvist. Hopefully this one breaks the curse.

Fun fact: Skapski was born June 15, 1994 — the day after the Rangers won their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.

With the NHL Draft all but over, now it turns into our favorite time of the year, the Free Agency period. What will happen, what can we expect from the Rangers? Time will tell, as the trade lines will stay open, and interest for certain players will raise, make sure you stay here at Blueline Station for all your Rangers news.