Potential top 10 picks who could be around for the Rangers

Rodion Amirov, Left wing – KHL

The last of our potential top ten picks who could fall to the Rangers is a Russian left winger, Rodion Amirov.   Amirov is an 18-year old left winger who made it to the KHL last season.

After being a point a game player in the MHL (the Russian equivalent of the AHL), Amirov was promoted to the KHL and played 21 games for Salavat Yulaev Ufa where he is committed to play in the fall.   He didn’t score a goal and had two assists.

He was ranked the fifth best European skater by NHL Central Scouting. He was ranked 13th overall by ISS Hockey and Eliteprospects.com, but the highest ranking came from Steve Kournanos of the Sporting News who had him at eighth overall.

He called Amirov “a sturdy, east-west winger who was critical in Russia’s taking of silver at the under-18 world championship last April.”  Kournianos also said “Most teenagers like to avoid traffic but Amirov is a superior stickhandler who attacks it head-on. He is consistent in his efforts and decision making while dominating the puck.”

Corey Pronman ranked him 21st overall, down from 14th in his previous rankings. While he cites his “good speed and great shot,” Pronman also said that at club and international levels he has “been good, but not great.”  Most of the other experts also see Amirov as a first rounder, but late, probably going from 16 to 26th overall.

Anyone who takes Amirov in the draft will be drafting potential and he is probably a player who will remain in Russia for a while.

What about the Rangers?

So these are the players who could slip into the first round where the Rangers will be drafting. While a Cole Perfetti would be a no-brainer for the Rangers managment, there are a few players who could be high reward picks that could end up going south.

Lapierre, with his concussion history, is an interesting choice and Amirov could be an excellent pick if the team is willing to wait for him.

Zary and Holloway are the most developed of the players mentioned and would be ready to make the jump to the AHL immediately, with an outside chance of making the varsity.  The rest of the players would be picks for the future.

Here is the list of 10 draft ranking websites we used.  Click on the website name to see their full rankings.

Elite Prospects.com – The top 31 prospects ranked in April.

ESPN, Chris Peters – Top 50 players in the draft, ranked on January 29

The Hockey News, Ryan Kennedy – The top 31 players in the draft, ranked in January after the WJC.

ISS Hockey – March rankings of the top 31 players

McKeen’s Hockey, Ryan Wagman  – The top 31 picks ranked midseason

NHL Central Scouting – The official final draft rankings divided between North American and European skaters and goalies.

The Sporting News, Steve Kournianos -Top 125 picks ranked in December..

Sportsnet, Sam Cosentino – He ranked the top 31 picks on April 8.

TSN, Craig Button – The TSN prospect guru revealed his top 103 picks  on March 30.

The Athletic (subscription required) –  Corey Pronman ranked the top 31 at the midseason on January 29