New York Rangers: Who we want selected in the first round of the Draft

Today is the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. Who do we want the New York Rangers to select at 21st overall? Find out here.

For the first time since 2012, the New York Rangers have a first round draft pick.

Because of this the Rangers’ farm system is a little barren these days.

It is critical that the Rangers’ front office nail their first round selection to set a positive tone for the rest of the draft.

Apart from the presumed top-two of Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier, their is much debate over who will be selected and where. As you will soon find out, that applies to us here at Blue Line Station as well.

The Blue Line Station team is here to tell you who we want the Rangers to select. Let us know who you want in the comments or on Twitter.

David Bruce

Klim Kostin

The New York Rangers will draft Klim Kostin with the 21st overall pick.

Kostin’s power forward potential is sky high. He has the ability to be a top-six forward on the Rangers with regularity in the near future. He has also mentioned plans to play in North America right away, allowing them to potentially sign him immediately and allow him to play for Hartford as soon as next year.

The Rangers do need a defenseman quite badly, but most of the quality ones like Brannstrom and Liljegren will likely be off the board by then. Kostin’s injury riddled season, plus his nationality, make him a candidate to drop right into the Rangers’ lap. It’s a classic Rangers pick: high risk, super high reward.

Kostin played in just eight KHL games last year, recording one point and scoring a shootout goal to boot. He has shined on the international stage, captaining Russia in the Ivan Hlinka Tournament and the World Juniors, nearing a point per game in each.

Addressing needs is important, but the Rangers cannot pass up on Kostin’s potential if he is there. At 21st overall, Kostin would be the best available player, and the Rangers cannot let that slide past them.

Dan Carrozzi

Kailer Yamamoto

The New York Rangers should draft Kailer Yamamoto in the first round of the NHL entry draft.

Simply put, the diminutive winger is one of the most dynamic players in the draft.

Last season for the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL, Yamamoto scored an impressive 42 goals and 99 points in 65 games. His point totals have progressively increased each year in juniors.

Yamamoto compares very well to another right shot, undersized player who also played for the Spokane Chiefs. Like Tyler Johnson, Yamamoto can really pack some heat on his shot, despite his size. He also has soft hands and is quick skater.

Akin to other players of his stature who are successful at the next level, he is lauded for his playmaking ability and overall skill. He also has a nose for the net and isn’t afraid to get to the dirty areas to make plays.

The biggest knock on Yamamoto, is of course his size. Listed at 5’8” and around 150lbs, he will certainly need to bulk up, whether or not he grows in height.

For this reason, Yamamoto is predicted to fall to later in the first round. If he is still available, the Rangers should jump to scoop him up. They can’t let a player with his high-end skillset pass them by.

Logan Clements

Eric Brannstrom

The New York Rangers should use the 21st overall pick on Erik Brannstrom, if he is still available. Brannstrom is an incredibly talented defenseman. He has tremendous offensive awareness, great passing skills, and is agile, which allows him to get out of tricky situations.

Brannstrom often uses his skating ability to spread out the defense before he either delivers a crisp tape-to-tape pass to his teammate or sends a hard shot on goal. He also uses his skating ability to carry the puck up the ice to create a zone entry.

Brannstrom’s only real weakness is his size. But that shouldn’t be too much of a concern since he isn’t done growing and since he’s been able to play just fine in a grown men’s league for some time now.

Brannstrom tends to draw comparisons to players like Torey Krug, which seems fair given that they have similar play styles.

He is a left-shot player, which may not fill an immediate need like a right-shot defenseman would. However, it is important to draft the best player available rather than draft a player who fits your needs. Prospects also take several years to develop. In three or four years, who knows what the Rangers will need.

Ultimately, if Brannstrom is still around when the Rangers are on the clock, he is likely one of, if not the, best player available.

Josh Lipman

Timothy Liljegren/Elias Pettersson

The New York Rangers should trade up for Timothy Liljegren or Elias Pettersson

Despite publications knocking the 2017 Draft as “uninspiring” and “short on big names,” mock drafts place defenseman Timothy Liljegren and center Elias Pettersson outside the top ten with surprising frequency. This is especially shocking considering both Swedes are arguably top-five talents.

Liljegren shoots right-handed and would fill a big hole in a Rangers system lacking righty blue liners from the big club on down. He entered this season as a possible contender for first overall, before a bout of mononucleosis derailed his campaign. Publications describe the 6’2” defender as an “elite skater” with a “high hockey IQ.”

Pettersson absolutely exploded this season playing center in Allsvenskan, the second best Swedish pro league. The pivot posted 41 points in 43 games. He only weighs 165 pounds, but the teenager has time to fill out.

If selected, either player would instantly become the Rangers’ top prospect by a wide margin. The Rangers’ farm system has few right defensemen and even fewer centers.

Next: New York Rangers lose Oscar Lindberg in Expansion Draft: What now?

Moving up could prove costly, but nabbing either player in the teens would be a coup. Chances to draft potential impact talents don’t come around often. New York can’t afford to play it safe with its first selection in the first round since 2012.