The nightmarish 2017-18 NHL season is mercifully almost over for the New York Rangers. Since the team will not be qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2010, it is time to turn our attention to the NHL Draft in June.
For the first time in what seems like forever, the New York Rangers will not be competing for hockey’s ultimate prize. While this is sad, it was ultimately time to rebuild. This team certainly wasn’t good enough to win the Stanley Cup, or even a playoff round for that matter, and it would’ve been folly to assume otherwise.
Jeff Gorton has done a nice job of jumpstarting this rebuild, acquiring two additional first round picks, in addition to the Rangers’ own first. For today, however, we will only be looking at the New York Rangers’ own first rounder, which will, barring a disaster, be in the top 10.
As it stands right now, provided the Rangers don’t jump into the top three, or win the lottery, they will be picking ninth overall. However, if the Rangers lose their finale against Philadelphia and both Chicago and Edmonton win their last game, the Rangers would jump up to seventh overall.
There are many talented prospects to be had in the Rangers’ range. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at five players that the New York Rangers should be targeting with their early first round pick.