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

Logan Clements

Michael Grabner-Jesper Fast-Brendan Smith’s Negotiating Rights-Antti Raanta-Trade Bribe-Oscar Lindberg

Grabner is the player I’d want Vegas to take the most. Grabner did score 27 goals this season, but he had an extremely high shooting percentage, did not drive possession, and is not a great shot suppressor. Losing Grabner’s speed would hurt, but I believe that the Rangers are more than able to replace him.

Jesper Fast is right after Grabner since his ceiling is that of a fourth-line player. He is an effective defensive player, but he manages to bring little offensively. There are plenty of UFAs or in-house players to replace Fast with if Vegas selects him.

Brendan Smith’s negotiating rights comes next mainly since losing Smith is preferable to losing Raanta or Lindberg, especially if the Rangers are not close to re-signing Smith.

Antti Raanta is the second to last player that I want the Rangers to lose. He provides tremendous value as a backup goaltender to Henrik Lundqvist and could help the Rangers restock on draft picks if the Rangers were to trade him at the draft. Those picks could help their “talent starved” farm system out.

I do not want the Rangers to lose Oscar Lindberg the more than any other exposed Rangers’ player. He is a fourth line center but provides the value of a third line center. Players like him are extremely valuable, play wise and trade value wise. Losing him would have great impact now and in the future.