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Don’t worry, the New York Rangers will end up with a great prospect at nine

By Nicholas Zararis

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - MAY 20: Quinn Highes of the United States and Connor McDavid of Canada battle for the puck during the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Bronze Medal Game game between the United States and Canada at Royal Arena on May 20, 2018 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - MAY 20: Quinn Highes of the United States and Connor McDavid of Canada battle for the puck during the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Bronze Medal Game game between the United States and Canada at Royal Arena on May 20, 2018 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /
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The New York Rangers are in position to get lucky with the number nine overall pick in the draft. With the way the rumor mill is blowing, the team may get an absolute steal.

It is no secret that the New York Rangers have significant holes in their lineup. Right now, the most pressing need is a number one defenseman. After trading Ryan McDonagh at the trade deadline this year, the team was left without a proven replacement. Although Brady Skjei has looked fit for the role at times, it is still a large jump to expect from a third year player.

In addition to needing a number one defenseman, the team also needs another scoring forward. The top six should tentatively feature some combination of Mika Zibanejad, Pavel Buchnevich, Chrisk Kreider, Kevin Hayes, Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil and Mats Zuccarello. However, with Zuccarello likely on the way out and both Chytil and Andersson only having seven games of NHL experience, it is hinging a lot on two 19 year olds.

Along with the out of control trade rumor mill is the draft rumor mill. In every sport, the rumor mill has a weird way of influencing the draft. If a particular player impresses a team during the scouting process, the word spreads like wildfire. “Team X is impressed with player Y’s interview,” and just like that, the player jumps up the board.

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With the Rangers holding the ninth pick in the draft, their is ample opportunity to land in impact player.

The hope

Of course, for New York, the best case scenario is a team ahead of them reaching. Of the team’s ahead of them, the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks and Arizona Coyotes are all teams that may go off the board. Due to these respective franchise’s history of poor draft picks, there is reason to believe New York may luck out.

Now, before you start fitting Filip Zadina for a Rangers sweater, keep it in perspective. Now, it is an absolute lock that Rasmus Dahlin of Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League is going to Buffalo. It is expected that Zadina and Andrei Svechnikov will go second and third. However, after those clear top three, there are very few known quantities. On top of the unknown, there is always the possibility that a team outside of the top ten makes a trade.

Assuming that the Rangers have their pick at nine, there are three quality players that could be there. If any one of Quinn Hughes, Adam Boqvist, or Oliver Whalstrom is there at nine, the Rangers would be in great shape. With the way the league operates, at least one of these three players should be available.

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The Rangers are in a position to land a truly quality prospect in this year’s super deep draft.

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With so much going in New York’s favor going into the draft, there is plenty to be excited about. With a forward thinking and progressive hockey coach behind the bench, things are developing nicely. Although the team’s roster needs to still take shape, the team is well within its means to improve this summer.

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