New York Rangers: Who we want taken in the Expansion Draft

Brandon Cohen

Antti Raanta-Oscar Lindberg-Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights-Jesper Fast-Michael Grabner-trade of assets to choose who Vegas takes

While I originally prayed to Charlie McAvoy that the Las Vegas Golden Knights would take Nick Holden, the Rangers ruined my Sunday and chose to protect him. Now I’m left with plenty of choices I don’t like! Rude.

My top choice is for the Knights to take Antti Raanta. While I would have loved to have gotten a pick in return for Raanta, the Rangers do not need him. Benoit Allaire has proven he can make a solid goalie out of anyone. Let Vegas have Raanta, sign someone, turn them into a solid backup, everything’s fine.

I put Oscar Lindberg second because I feel like we are vastly overrating bottom six players. He’s a solid player, but he’s going to top out at 40 points (which he likely won’t reach) and he’s 26 years old. The Rangers can sign someone for $2-3 Million to do the same and lose out on $1-2 Million this offseason.

Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights place third because he is an uncertainty due to his contract situation, and the Rangers would be losing an uncertainty over a certainty if he’s selected.

Jesper Fast is similar to Oscar Lindberg, but I appreciate his overall game more. He also holds some sentimental value and I’m a sucker for that.

Michael Grabner is the player I’d least like to see taken because he brings a unique dynamic with his speed, and his trade value is astronomical. Losing him for nothing would hurt a lot.