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New York Rangers: Building a Contender like the Contenders

By George Ruggiero

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: General Manager Jeff Gorton of the New York Rangers looks on from the draft table during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: General Manager Jeff Gorton of the New York Rangers looks on from the draft table during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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h TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 25: Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) and Florida Panthers center Frank Vatrano (72) skate in the third period of the NHL preseason game between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning on September 25, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
h TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 25: Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) and Florida Panthers center Frank Vatrano (72) skate in the third period of the NHL preseason game between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning on September 25, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning are a product of great prospect scouting. The team is mostly made of players drafted by the Lightning, but a fair few quality players were undrafted free agent signings. The Tampa Bay roster is 52.4% eplayers who were drafted.

The most notable players drafted by the Lightning happen to be some of the best in the league: Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and Victor Hedman come to mind. The Lightning had a formidable general manager in Steve Yzerman when it came to trades. He acquired the likes of Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller, and Brayden Coburn.

Free agents, however, have come to great fruition for the Lightning. Anton Stralman is an example of an established veteran who continued his career revival in Tampa. Undrafted free agents like Tyler Johnson and Yanni Gourde have panned out exceptionally well for the team.

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