The New York Rangers are currently sitting ninth from the bottom of the NHL. With the playoffs highly unlikely, it’s time to focus some attention on the lottery draft. Here is an early list of potential players expected to be the top 15 selections.
For a team that is in a rebuilding season looking at the draft is very important. Currently the New York Rangers have two first round picks this June, with the potential of having four if the Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanley Cup and the Dallas Stars make the Western Conference Final.
Since we do not know where exactly the Rangers will pick in the draft, I am going to cover the top 15 projected players in the draft to get a sense of what the Rangers may end up picking. The rankings are based on ISS Hockey’s mid-season rankings.
Picks 15-11
15. Raphael Lavoie – Forward
Lavoie currently plays in the QMJHL for the Halifax Mooseheads. He is 18 years old and plays center and right wing. In his 58 games played in the QMJHL he has 32 goals and 39 assists. These are fairly impressive numbers, but they most likely won’t transfer over to the NHL.
Being six foot four inches and 198 pounds, Lavoie has a big body that can help him shield the puck and use it in the tougher areas of the ice. From the amount of points he has and his highlights from this year he has quite the knack for scoring and producing offense.
14. Thomas Harley – Defense
Harley, who is only 17 years old, is playing in the OHL for the Mississauga Steelheads. Playing defense, he currently has 52 points in 61 games played. Having a height of six foot three inches and weighing 183 pounds Harley is a large defenseman who will only get bigger as he ages, who has shown offensive potential.
13. Cam York – Defense
York is a five foot 11 inch and 172 pound defenseman, currently playing for the United States National Development team. In his 44 games played he has 36 points. York is a speedy defenseman, with the ability to move the puck. The 17-year old is committed to the University of Michigan next season, so he is longterm prospect.
12. Victor Soderstrom – Defense
Soderstrom, native of Sweden is his first season playing for Brynas IF in the SHL. In his 38 games he has seven points. Soderstrom is projected as a 2-way defenseman who is able to play both sides of the puck. With the Rangers history of drafting, I could see them looking at Soderstrom to be a good contribution to a defense that has been struggling quite a bit.
Don’t expect Soderstrom to play in the NHL right after getting drafted. His path could be similar to Nils Lundkvist, honing his skills in the SHL before coming over.
11. Matthew Robertson – Defense
Another big defenseman who is six foot four inches and 201 pounds, Robertson is currently playing in the WHL for the Edmonton Oil Kings. Robertson has good offensive ability and understands when to join the offense and when to stay back on defense. In his 46 games played he has 26 points.
Robertson has a big body that allows his to have an effective hit and protect the puck in tight areas. Robertson is another option that the Rangers could pick if looking for a big, mobile defenseman.