The New York Rangers Previous Five Second Round Draft Picks
Over the last few years, the New York Rangers’ ability on the draft floor over the last few years has seen some mixed results, and over the years, the second round has been incredibly interesting. Despite the Rangers not having a second-round pick this year, it’s still impressive the track record that the Rangers have had on the draft floor in recent years.
2018:
Olof Lindbom (39th overall): The New York Rangers continued to stock their goaltending department with the selection of a technically solid, decently-sized Swedish keeper.
Lindbom has skated for the Rangers ECHL affiliate the Jacksonville Icemen. He also dressed for one game for the Wolf Pack this season. Not a bad option as the fifth keeper in the organization’s depth chart, but he remains behind Dylan Garand who had a phenomenal WJC performance for Team Canada.
2019:
Matthew Robertson (49th overall): Robertson has skated as a fringe NHL player for the organization since he was drafted in Vancouver.
Since he was drafted, he has skated in one hundred and fifty games in total for the WHL Edmonton Oil Kings, followed by two full seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Robertson could be a viable third-pairing option if an injury occurs this season if he competes with Harpur or Hajek and outplays potential depth free-agent signings in camp.
Karl Henriksson (58th overall): There was some buzz at the time of Henrikssons selection, but the Swedish center has struggled to produce.
In ninety-two games for Frolunda he posted just four goals, and with the Wolf Pack this season he tallied even goals in seventy games.
2020:
Will Cullye (60th overall): Having dressed for four games with the big club in 2022-2023, it looks like Cuylle has a legitimate shot at playing some NHL minutes again this upcoming season.
Cuylle was drafted after a successful season with the Windsor Spitfires, where the physically imposing center recorded a forty-two-point season.
Fast forward to 2023, the Toronto native posted forty-five points for the Hartford Wolf Pack, good for second on the team in points. Of the Ranger’s recent second-round draft selections, Cuylle appears to be the best.
2022:
Adam Sykora (63rd overall): With the Rangers trading their first-round draft pick for Andrew Copp at the 2022 trade deadline, the Rangers selected an intense, shot-blocking, all-in Slovakian left wing, and center in the second round.
Sykora has received high praise for his style of play. He is a neutralizing back checker, blocks shots as if his life depended on it, and delivers heavy checks to separate man from the puck.
He played in four AHL playoff games with the Wolf Pack and recorded an assist at just eighteen years of age in 2023.
Did not pick:
In 2023, the New York Rangers do not own a second-round pick in the draft. It was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Patrick Kane deal.
This is also the case for the 2021 NHL draft. That second-round pick was dealt to the Detroit Red Wings alongside Marc Staal to get out from under that contract.