New York Rangers Draft Target: Adin Hill

Next week’s NHL Entry Draft could prove to be an interesting one for the New York Rangers.

With no official draft pick in round one, backup Cam Talbot seems to be the trade bait the team is hanging out off the fishing pole for teams to fight for, which could bring in a large catch (1st rounder).

Click on Top Three Teams Eying Talbot for the latest rumors surrounding the Goal Buster.

New York Rangers /

New York Rangers

If Talbot leaves, who will be there to replace him? There are certainly options to choose from on the free agency market. Or, the organization could look internally to find his replacement.

In both cases, will there be that consistency Talbot provided in his two seasons on Broadway? If his absence becomes reality, then a hole will need to be replaced.

At present, the Rangers goaltending depth beyond the NHL-level is not as secured as one would like. Currently, there are three goaltenders under contract: Cedric Desjardins, Jason Missiaen, and Mackenzie Skapski.

Last year’s draft picks, Brandon Halverson and Igor Shestyorkin, remain unsigned.

The future maybe bright, especially with Halverson. However, there is still uncertainty about the depth within the Rangers organization.

It might be in the team’s best interest, and future, to nab another goalie in this year’s draft.

Adin Hill is one of those that could catch the eyes of Rangers scouts and could be a promising figure in the near future. And, perhaps fall into the team’s lap come draft day, since not a lot of buzz is surrounding him, nor goalies for that matter, has been circulating leading up to June 26th.

When asked about which part of (Hill’s) game stands out- “My mental toughness. I work hard and compete on every play and never give up on a play. I’m determined to stop the puck and work hard to get in position.”- Yahoo.com, Kelly Friesen, June 2015

Hill’s past two seasons have been spent with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL (Western Hockey league). In 2014-2015, he compiled a record of 31-11-1, 2.81 goals against average and save percentage of .921, in his first year as the starting goalie for the Winterhawks.

He helped lead Portland in the WHL Playoffs, culminating in a Western Conference Final berth. In 17 playoff games, Hill recorded a 10-7 record.

Hill has the size (6’4), the weight (198 lbs), and skills to protect his crease. He has drawn high praise for his “…excellent rebound control, quickness, and (goalie) instincts…”

In a piece on yahoo.com, Hill had this to share:

"“I think I’ve matured a lot since then,” says Hill on the difference between him this year and last season. “I do a lot more physically to prepare for games and have grown a lot over the past year. I’m also on a better team this year, so that has helped, too.”"

If the Rangers needed a goalie to add to help make the post-Henrik Lundqvist era a little bit righter, Adin Hill may help the Rangers landscape brighter.

Next: New York Rangers Draft Target: Alexandre Carrier

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