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New York Rangers first round pick possibilities: The forwards

By Steve Paulus

KOSICE, SLOVAKIA - MAY 15: Jack Hughes #6 of USA in action during the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Slovakia group A game between United States and Great Britain at Steel Arena on May 15, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
KOSICE, SLOVAKIA - MAY 15: Jack Hughes #6 of USA in action during the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Slovakia group A game between United States and Great Britain at Steel Arena on May 15, 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia. (Photo by Lukasz Laskowski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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ST. PAUL, MN – SEPTEMBER 19: Team Leopold forward Cole Caufield (14) makes a pass during the USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game between Team Leopold and Team Langenbrunner on September 19, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. Team Leopold defeated Team Langenbrunner 6-4.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN – SEPTEMBER 19: Team Leopold forward Cole Caufield (14) makes a pass during the USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game between Team Leopold and Team Langenbrunner on September 19, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. Team Leopold defeated Team Langenbrunner 6-4.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Right wingers

Cole Caulfield – Caulfield is a sniper and it’s doubtful that he will be available when the Rangers pick.  Ranked the eighth overall North American Skater by Central Scouting, he is rated fifth overall by Craig Button while Corey Pronman rates him 19th overall.  The big knock on Caulfield is his size as he is only 5’7″.

Caulfield passed Phil Kessel as the top career scorer with the U.S. National Development Team and he has been a consistent goal-a-game scorer. His stock rose after he scored 14 goals in seven games at the 2019 U18 World Championships last month and finished second in total scoring to the vaunted Jack Hughes.

Arthur Kaliyev – Kaliyev is a player who could fall into the Rangers hands.  Rated the seventh best North American skater by Central Scouting, he didn’t make the top ten in the other rankings.  While Sportsnet had him at number 11 and TSN at number 12, both the Sporting News and The Athletic had him ranked 25th overall.

He would be a great choice for the Rangers as he was born on Staten Island.  He has put up ridiculous numbers in the OHL, scoring 51 goals in 67 games for the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Kaliyev has one of the best shots in junior hockey, but there have been questions raised about his intensity and compete level.   He  sounds like a perfect candidate for David Quinn’s coaching style and if he is still out there at 20th, the Rangers should jump at him.

Bobby Brink –  Brink was ranked the 19th best North American skater.  The Minnesota native scored 35 goals in 43 games in the USHL.  He was not ranked by any of the other four experts, probably because of his size (5”8″).

Samuel Poulin – Poulin was rated the 22nd best North American skaters and came in 29th in the TSN rankings.  At 6’1″ he is reputed to play a heavy, pro-type of game and he has been a decent scorer with Sherbrooke of the QMJHL.  This season he had 29 goals and 76 points in 67 games.

Nathan Legare – Legare didn’t make the top 30 Central Scouting prospects, but he was Pronman’s 21st best prospect.  Legare is a top scorer for Baie-Comeau Drakkar, one of the best teams in the QMJHL.  Pronman rates his shot as one of the best in the draft and cites his smarts. He’s got decent size and plays a solid game on the boards. He scored 45 goals and had 87 points in 68 games this season.  He could be a sleeper.

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