Previewing The Rangers 2024 Draft: Q & A With Steve Ellis

Steve Ellis, Associate Editor and Prospect Analyst at Daily Faceoff provided insight into what the New York Rangers might do at the 2024 NHL Draft this weekend.

The Rangers possess picks No. 30, 127, 159, and 191. With General Manager Chris Drury's aggressive nature and a few years of cunning drafting, what could the New York Rangers get from this prospect pool?

Q: What are the New York Rangers needs?
A: I think in general, they just need a bit more depth. They've done a decent job of graduating players over the past few years but still need a few more options in the fire to give themselves some cheaper help that they can insert into their lineup over the next few years as they look to stay competitive. But, hey, having some content in the Sphere doesn't hurt, either.

Q: What do the New York Rangers need? A: New York needs some center help, with Noah Laba being the team’s best option – and I’m not sure he’s a full-time NHLer down the line, anyway. On the blueline, though, Drew Fortescue has the best shot at being an NHLer, but at 18, he’s far from ready. Snagging someone like Henry Mews, Cole Hutson or Alfons Freij would give them someone capable of getting the puck where it needs to be to help generate offense. I wouldn’t blame them if they took a center instead, but at least there aren’t many realistic options at No. 30.

Q: Is there an upside to retaining the 30th overall pick? A: I think keeping that pick, depending on who they pick, can either be used as trade bait at the deadline in a year or two or still give them some extra scoring/defensive help in a few years. I'm all about keeping a first-round pick.

Q: Given the Rangers' recent draft history, are there options available late in the first round that could be a slide candidate like Gabriel Perreault or an NHL-caliber winger in Othmann?
A: I could see the Rangers potentially snagging someone like Terik Parascak – a high-scoring winger who has weak skating, but that can be fixed. It's a risk worth taking I think.

Q: Charlie Elick is the most popular name linked to the Rangers- why a right-handed defenseman with Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, and Braden Schneider on the roster? Who are EJ Emery and Elick A: Emery and Elick are two of the best defensive defensemen in the draft. They're not going to score much, but they're going to be hard to play against and that means something. I think both could be second-pairing defensemen at best, but really good third-pairing defensemen and you do need guys like that.