(rear) and sweeps the puck off the goal line against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game three of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Looking back at previous draft picks chosen by the New York Rangers, it could leave you scratching your head as to what was the thinking behind the selection.
However, those players chosen may have been the best option at the time for the team. Then again, was it the best option at the time?
Particularly, some of the first-round picks over the years may make you kicking and screaming, when you realize what players followed the Rangers selection.
The team’s fortunes may have taken a different turn, and not be left wondering what if.
However, in recent years, the team has redeemed itself, somewhat, with their recent draft selections. Players, like Marc Staal, Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller have seen the team have great returns and started reversing the team’s misfortunes. With room to improve, they appear to be headed in the right direction.
But, its been those other first-rounders that just make you cringe and say WHAAAAAATTTTTT?
And with the Rangers not having a first round pick, as of now, this year, they’ll be looking in later rounds for those diamonds in the rough, i.e. Henrik Lundqvist.
We compiled a list, in no particular order, of the top five draft day busts in the first round for the Rangers. Looking back at the draft classes, it almost breaks your heart to read the names the Rangers passed over.
If you have ever played fantasy hockey, when it came to draft time, you had your list of available superstars to choose from. Well, that’s what you could make from the amount of names not selected. It’s a who’s who of today’s hockey all-stars.
As we go through our list, most of the players are not in the NHL or had short stints with one organization, or two, or three.
Sometimes, they just don’t pan out and need to be moved for a fresh start.
May 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) takes the ice to play against the Washington Capitals in game seven of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Pavel Brendl, RW- (1999 First-round selection, fourth overall)
After successful seasons in his native land of Czechoslovakia and two seasons with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL, where he scored over a 100+ points in consecutive seasons, the Rangers drafted Brendl fourth overall of the 1999 Entry Draft.
Entering Rangers training camp, Brendl didn’t seem to keen on adjusting to the NHL game, particularly then-head coach John Muckler’s style of play. To make things worse, he showed up out of shape.
New York Rangers /
New York Rangers
After disappointing the coaching staff, he was returned to the WHL. Brendl would get one more chance to prove himself the following season’s training camp, but was part of the final cuts. He never played a game for the Rangers and was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, as part of the Eric Lindros trade.
He would play for two other teams (Carolina Hurricanes and then-Phoenix Coyotes), including the Flyers. He would appear in 78 games in his short career, only registering 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists).
It doesn’t appear likely that Brendl will return to the NHL, anytime soon. He has been playing overseas since 2006, having played in Slovakia last season.
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the arena floor during the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Rangers prospect was in the same draft class as Pavel Brendl (1999), in fact, just five selections below. However, unlike Brendl, Jamie Lundmark played with the Rangers, spending three seasons. He registered 30 points in 114 games.
After the 2005-2006 season, he spent the next five years of his career bouncing between four other teams (Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs). In 295 NHL games, Lundmark scored 40 goals and 59 assists.
Lundmark has been playing in Europe for the past four seasons.
May 22, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers fans cheer after a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
He seemed to be perfect for the Rangers. He was 6’6, born in New York City, and attended Dartmouth College playing three years of hockey.
Hugh Jessiman was part of, what many regard as the deepest draft class in 2003. The names that were available would have blown your mind. And, Jessiman was included among them.
However, unlike his peers, he never sustained any success at the NHL-level. While many went on to see championship glory, Jessiman was trying to find his game with the Hartford Wolf Pack. He spent a little over three seasons, compiling 74 points (32 goals, 42 assists).
After being unable to make the Rangers, he bounced around the AHL. He finally made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers during the 2010-2011. He would only play in two games and did not register a point.
Jessiman would return to the AHL, where he would spend three seasons (2011-2012 to 2012-2013). Then, he decided to take his game abroad and signed a contract to play in the KHL for the 2013-2014 season. Last season, he signed a one-year contract with the Vienna Capitals of the EBEL (Erste Bank Hockey League).
Feb 13, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Al Montoya (35) faces the Dallas Stars attack during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Panthers 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Al Montoya, G- (2004 first-round selection, sixth overall)
Once a highly-touted out of the University of Michigan, Al Montoya was selected by the Rangers and was signed to a three-year entry-level contract. He would spend most of his time in the AHL with Hartford. He compiled a 66-34-4 record, with eight shutouts.
Before turning professional, he played three seasons with the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, where he found much success. Montoya won 86 games in his college career, with his best season coming 2004-2005 where he went 30-7-3 with three shutouts.
Montoya went on to represent the U.S. in the World Junior Championships, winning gold in 2004.
He wouldn’t see Madison Square Garden ice with the Rangers. Due to a certain Swedish goalie named Henrik Lundqvist (selected in the seventh round of the 2000 Entry Draft), Montoya became expendable and was soon traded to the then-Phoenix Coyotes. He would go on to play with two other teams (New York Islanders, Winnipeg Jets). He is currently playing behind starting goalie Roberto Luongo with the Florida Panthers.
moves the puck against the San Jose Sharks during their preseason game at the Stockton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Bobby Sanguinetti, D- (2006 first-round selection, twenty-first overall)
Born in Trenton, NJ, Bobby Sanguinetti lived across the Hudson River from the Garden, being a Rangers fan.
A defenseman who tries to model his game after Rangers great and Hall of Famer Brian Leech, Sanguinetti is still searching for a team that will give him an opportunity.
He spent four seasons in the Rangers organization, spending time in Hartford for most his career. He played in five games for the Blueshirts.
After the 2009-2010 season, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for their second round pick in 2011 and sixth round pick in 2010. Sanguinetti played in 40 games, scoring six points (two goals, four assists).
By the way, that sixth-round pick in 2010 turned out to be RW Jesper Fast. The 2011 second-round pick turned out to be Markus Granlund.
In 2013-2014, he played in the KHL, where he scored seven points in 15 games.
Sanguinetti is in the Vancouver Canucks organization, playing with their AHL affiliate Utica Comets, who lost the Calder Cup to the Manchester Monarchs for the 2014-2015 season.
