New York Rangers: Everything you need to know about the Entry Draft

This could possibly be the most significant NHL Entry Draft for the New York Rangers in their history.  There is drama about the second overall pick and  the possiblity of trades will be there both days of the draft.

For the New York Rangers, the most excitement this weekend will be Friday, shortly after 8pm EST.  That’s when the New Jersey Devils will make their first pick in the Entry Draft and that will be the moment when the Blueshirts will know who their future will be tied to.

Unless the New York Rangers pull the trigger on a deal Friday or Saturday and get a second first round pick, they will be done as soon as they make Kaapo Kakko or Jack Hughes their first round selection.

Saturday will be  a steady procession of draft picks, seven in all, as the team looks to increase their prospect pipeline.   Here are the seven picks the Rangers have after the first round.

• #49 – Second round (acquired from Dallas)
• #58 – Second round (acquired from Tampa)
• #68 – Third round pick
• #112 – Fourth round pick (acquired from Columbus)
• #130 – Fifth round pick
• #161 – Sixth round pick
• #205 – Seventh round pick (acquired from Columbus)

Television coverage

The first round of the draft will be televised live on NBCSN starting at 8pm EST, Friday night.

The second round will start at 1pm EST on Saturday and will be televised on the NHL Network.

Draft trivia

• Last June, the Rangers had ten draft picks, the most in their history.
• The most picks the team has ever had in the first two rounds of the draft was in 2004 when they six picks.
• Of those six picks in 2004, Brandon Dubinsky, Lori Korpikoski and Al Montoya had productive NHL careers. Two of the picks (Darin Olver and Bruce Graham) never played an NHL game.
• Last season they had four picks in the first two rounds and this season they have three.
• Their second pick is the highest since they selected Brad Park with the second overall pick in 1966.
• If they pick Kakko, he will be second Finnish player they ahve made a first round selection after Korpikoski (19th overall) in 2004.
• If Jack Hughes falls into their laps, he will be the highest U.S. born player taken by the Rangers at second overall.  They selected goalie Al Montoya with the sixth overall pick in 2004.
• Brian Leetch, selected ninth overall in the 1986 draft is considered to be the greatest Ranger ever and many feel he is the greatest U.S. born NHL player and definitely the best defenseman.
• Kakko will join two other Finns who have gone second overall in the draft.  Aleksander Barkov was picked second in the 2013 draft  and Patrik Laine was selected second in the 2016 draft.

Follow Blue Line Station throughout draft weekend as we will have the latest analysis, reaction and news about the New York Rangers.