New York Rangers: No.2 pick set to join new wave of young NYC talent

It hasn’t exactly been a glory-laden few years filled with endless championships if you are a New York Rangers fan, or a follower of another New York sports franchise in general.

In fact, only the New York Yankees and the New York Giants have won a championship in the 21st Century with the New York Rangers last winning a Stanley Cup way back in 1993-94.

However, as I’ve mentioned in a previous column, things are beginning to look up for the Blueshirts as this storied franchise aims to become a powerhouse in the NHL once again.

With John Davidson at the helm as President, General Manager Jeff Gorton doing a fine job of accumulating draft picks and talented prospects and with a strong core in place, the rebuild is gathering steam with Madison Square Garden craving meaningful, playoff hockey once more.

And things will get even better come June, 21 when the Rangers select a generational elite talent with the No.2 pick at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Be it stud center Jack Hughes or the phenom that is Kaapo Kakko, the Blueshirts will be gaining a new face of the franchise that can haul this team on his back and carry them to the promised land.

And whether it is Hughes or Kakko that ultimately lands in The Big Apple, they will be joining a wave of exciting talent that is ready to take New York City by storm.

Because, while it has been a pretty barren period for sports teams in New York in terms of excitement and championships (unless you are the Yankees), each major franchise now has a hot prospect in place and on the cusp of reaching superstar status.

Let’s start with the Yankees who last won the World Series in 2009 but look well placed to bring a championship back to the Bronx this year despite dealing with a plethora of injuries to key men.

Fielding a line-up that would look more at home in Triple-A, the Yankees are 38-20 this year and are playing around .750 baseball even without face of the franchise, Aaron Judge, who has been on the IL since April, 20 with an oblique injury.

Judge epitomizes the Yankees’ Bronx Bombers moniker with the way he can absolutely leather a baseball out of the park. His hulking figure and his leadership in the clubhouse has made him one of baseball’s biggest and brightest stars, and it won’t be long before he delivers The Pinstripes their 28th World Series title.

Across town you have Pete Alonso who has emerged as a bona fide star this year, despite playing for the Mets who can’t seem to get out of their own way and are currently playing under .500.

Alonso, after lighting it up in the minors, has been on an absolute tear for the Mets so far with 19 home runs within the first two months of the season, equalling the record held by Mark McGwire for most homers by a rookie before June, 1 and fast closing in on Darryl Strawberry’s franchise season rookie record of 26 home runs.

Although he hasn’t had much help from a team that is severely lacking in star power, Alonso has bashed and slugged his way into the hearts of Mets fans and he is the brightest prospect to come out of this franchise in years.

He’s a good bet to become an All-Star this year and everyone connected with the Mets will be hoping that he can continue on his upward trajectory and slug this franchise back to the glory days.

There hasn’t been much to cheer if you happen to follow an NFL team in New York with the Giants’ last Super Bowl win 2012 almost a distant memory, while the Jets have been a non-entity for decades now.

However, both franchises boast potential game-changers with Sam Darnold hoping to become the best quarterback for the Jets since the legendary Joe Namath.

Darnold certainly showed flashes of his potential in his rookie year last season, and the signs under renowned ‘Quarterback Whisperer’ and new Jets Head Coach Adam Gase appear to be promising so far.

Then you have Saquon Barkley for the Giants. Say what you want about whether or not the Big Blue should have taken a quarterback over a running back, this kid is an absolute beast and he ripped up the NFL in his rookie year last season with 261 carries for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns, in addition to 91 receptions for 721 yards and four touchdowns.

Both Darnold and Barkley possess the personality and the tools in their armory to be able to alter the fortunes of their respective franchises and restore some pride back to football in the Big Apple.

Even the New York Islanders have their own shining star in Mathew Barzal, who has posted 147 points (40 goals, 107 assists) in his first full two seasons with the team.

Barzal is now the Islanders’ biggest and most formidable offensive weapon following John Tavares’ decision to test free agency and sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer.

Every major New York franchise has a peerless stud in place ready to catapult their respective teams back into the spotlight and back on the trail for championships.

Once the New York Rangers select either Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko later this month, they too will have a budding superstar in place who will have the opportunity to usher in a new era of potential dominance for New York sports along with his fellow class of gifted phenoms.