New York Rangers: Some late round NHL Entry Draft success stories
By Steve Paulus
Much of the success of the New York Rangers has come from savvy mid to late round draft picks. Here’s a look at some of those selections.
While the Rangers have an abysmal record when it comes to first round draft picks, they have had some degree of success with later round picks. In fact, the Rangers could claim the best late round draft pick of all time.
Simply the best
The Rangers had nine picks in the 2000 Entry Draft. In the seventh round, they selected an unheralded Swedish goaltender named Henrik Lundqvist. They didn’t strike gold with Lundqvist, they struck platinum. Did they know what they were getting when they made the pick? Absolutely not. In fact, they wasted two top ten picks in the 2001 and 2004 drafts on goalies Dan Blackburn and Al Montoya.
By the 2004-05 season they knew that they had a gem. In the playoffs for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League, Lundqvist allowed 15 goals in 14 games, going 12-2 as he led the team to the league championship.
The Rangers wasted no time in getting him to North America. Bypassing the minor leagues, Lundqvist became the starting goalie in 2005-06 and hasn’t looked back since.
How Lundqvist compares
Selecting Lundqvist at 205th was not only the best late round Rangers draft pick of all time, it is the best late round pick in the history of the NHL.
The King is guaranteed a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Only two HOF members were drafted later than Lundqvist, but with an asterisk. In the mid-80’s, NHL teams routinely selected players from behind the Iron Curtain late in the draft, not knowing if they would ever be allowed to come to North American. Future Hall of Famers Sergei Makarov (#231 in 1983) and Igor Larianov (#214 in 1985) were drafted that way. The only goalie close to Lundqvist was selected late for the same reason. Dominik Hasek was the 199th selection by Chicago in 1983.
In fact, the only unencumbered late round pick in the Hall of Fame who can compare to Lundqvist is Luc Robitaille who was selected 171st overall in the 1984 draft.
Who should get the credit for finding Lundqvist? While Lundqvist was drafted with Glen Sather as general manager, it was Assistant General Manager Don Maloney who made the pick on the recommendation of European Scout Crister Rockstrom.
How good was this pick? 2000 was the year that Rick DiPietro was selected #1 overall. 31 other goalies were picked in that draft. The Rangers actually selected another goaltender named Brandon Snee with their 143rd pick. Only 12 of the 31 goalies made it to the NHL, not including Snee.
Other late round gems
Most recently the team might have struck gold with the heir apparent to Lundqvist. In 2014 they drafted goaltender Igor Shestyorkin in the 4th round at 118th overall.
It’s when it comes to European selections that the Ranger scouting system has excelled. Selections include Pavel Buchnevich (#75 in 2013), Artem Anisimov (#54 in 2006), Petr Prucha (#240 in 2002), Marek Zidlicky (#176 in 2001), Sergei Zubov (#85 in 1990), Sergei Nemchinov (#244 in 1990) and Reijo Ruotsalainen (#199 in 1980)
Lundvist isn’t the only late round Swede to find success for the Rangers. Jesper Fast was selected 157th overall in 2011 along with Carl Hagelin (#168 in 2007) and Kjell Samuelsson (#199 in 1984).
In 1994, as Stanley Cup champions, the Rangers picked last in each round. In the 11th round they made Swedish defenseman Kim Johnsson the final pick of the Entry Draft at #286. How good was that pick? Johnsson went on to become a solid NHL defenseman, playing 739 games in ten years for four teams. 20 of the 285 players selected before Johnsson played more games than he did. In fact, of the 42 players picked last in the draft since 1980, only eight have played in the NHL. None have played more games than Johnsson.
Of course, inevitably there is a twist. Johnsson only played 151 of those games in a Ranger jersey. In 2001 he was traded to Philadelphia along with 1999 draft bust Pavel Brendl and Jan Hlavac for Eric Lindros. He went on to play 588 games in the NHL compared to 192 injury ridden games in New York for Lindros.
North American picks
When it comes to late round picks from Canada and the United States, the Rangers haven’t been nearly as successful. The only player selected after the top 50 picks who has made an impact is Boo Nieves (#59 in 2012). Former Rangers who were mid to late round picks include Anthony Duclair (#80 in 2013), Derek Stepan (#51 in 2008), Dale Wiese (#111 in 2008), Ryan Callahan (#127 in 2004) and Dominic Moore (#95 in 2000).
The Rangers did trade away three pretty good late round picks from North America. Kevin Miller was the 183rd pick in 1982 and had a 14 year career in the NHL, most with the Washington Capitals Todd Marchant was the 164th overall selection in 1993. He played all of one game in New York before being traded for Craig MacTavish. He went on to play 18 years in the NHL. Finally, there was Mike York (#136 in 1997) who scored 26 goals as a rookie in 2000 and was traded two years later to Edmonton. He went on to play almost 600 games in his NHL career.
The future
The 2016 draft could become a notable one for the Rangers. Four of the prospects acquired at the trade deadline were drafted that year. Brett Howden was Tampa’s first round pick (#27) and Libor Hajek was their second round pick (#37). Ryan Lindgren was the Bruins third round pick (#49). Yegor Rykov was selected #131 by the Devils. The Rangers own third round pick, Sean Day (#81 ) still oozes skill and potential and will get a shot at the NHL next season. Tim Gettinger was a fifth round pick (#141) and is getting some attention as a leader of the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds.
Next: New York Rangers: A draft history
The wild card is Ty Ronning. Selected #201 overall in the seventh round in 2016, Ronning scored 61 goals for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL and will be given a real shot at making the Rangers next season. If he can succeed, he could be the best late round selection by the Rangers since that fateful day in 2000 when Henrik Lundqvist became a Ranger.