The best and worst draft classes of the 1970s

Like most teams in the history of the NHL Entry Draft, the New York Rangers have scored big in some and missed badly in others. Here are the best and worst Rangers’ draft classes of the 1970s.

Which best determines the quality of a New York Rangers’ draft class? Filling several needs? Getting a superstar? Acquiring several serviceable players but nobody elite? The performance of players subsequently drafted by other teams?

For this analytical editorial, all of the above.

Please note entry draft classes from 1963-69 are not included here. There are two reasons why not. First, the NHL had just six teams through the ’66 season, hence fewer rounds. Second, the league’s expansion to 12 clubs prior to the 1967-68 season created more rounds.

However, there are some Rangers items from that time worth noting:

• In the first Entry Draft in 1963, a total of 21 players were selected, but only five went on to play in the NHL. The Rangers had four picks, including right wing Al Osborne at fourth overall, and none played a single NHL game.
• The Rangers snared defenseman Brad Park with the second overall pick in 1966. Elected to the Hall of Fame, Park posted 378 points in 465 games, and was a power play force with 34 goals and 101 points, for New York before being traded to the Boston Bruins.
• The Blueshirts nabbed center Syl Apps Jr. at 21st overall in 1964. He was the most productive of the 24 players drafted, with 606 career points.  Unfortunately for the Rangers, 500 were for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and another 103 for the Los Angeles Kings.
• Andre “Moose” Dupont was taken by the Rangers at eighth overall in 1969, but played in just seven games for New York before being traded (given away?) in ’71.  The defenseman eventually helped the Philadelphia Flyers bludgeon opponents en route to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 1974 and 1975.

With that noted, here are some of the best and worst Rangers draft classes of the 1970s.