The first part of the silly season - the draft - is finally upon us. As of Friday morning, the Rangers sit with six picks (81, 98, 141, 171, 174 and 201), the first of which is not to the third round, 81st overall. As of now, it will be the fourth straight year that New York lacks a pick in the first round; this year due to the Keith Yandle trade in 2015. Like last year, rumors are abound that New York is looking to replenish the prospect list and also try and get a first day pick or at least one in first two rounds.

Given where NY picks, it's almost impossible to try and say who they should target. Several others, who are much more in tune than I am on prospects, have thrown out some names, but given how many deals could occur, trying to project anything might be folly. If you believe that the tweet yesterday showing the draft board is accurate, then the Rangers are somehow acquiring the 14th pick in the draft from Boston. For what, who knows, but as I noted yesterday, it's not as if the Bruins did a good job with their three first round picks a year ago, so not why deal the pick this season.

Much of the trade speculation centers around Rick Nash. With the need to free up salary and also possibly create a spot for a younger player for next year's expansion protected list, Nash's name being mentioned is no surprise. As of now though, there is no deal in place or one close enough to say it will happen. Teams with interest might include Anaheim (Fowler?), San Jose (I would love Donskoi and Mueller or Goldobin), St. Louis (maybe in a deal for Shattenkirk, or we can hope), Montreal and Nashville (Carey Wilson plus back?). Plus, New York might have to eat salary in order to improve the return and facilitate a deal.

The other name prominently mentioned has been Derek Stepan. Minnesota reportedly has a certain amount of interest or maybe it's the media generating or creating interest that is not really the case. However, Minnesota has been rumored to be willing to part with Dumba or Brodin or Spurgeon in a deal, which could interest the Rangers, though how that impacts Girardi or Staal remains to be seen. Stepan could fit on a lot of teams, even with his $6.5 million salary. If Nash or Stepan is dealt, the expectation is that it will be for players and not picks in return, though that too is not set in stone. If Stepan doesn't go, it's possible that Derick Brassard does, as he may have more value to others due to his lower cap hit and ability to score. But it's those two reasons why he is more likely to stay in NY.

Last year, GM Glen Sather reportedly had an offer in place from San Jose that included their first rounder for Cam Talbot. Sather tried to extract more or was kicking the tires on Nail Yakupov and that deal went by the wayside. It worked out well for the Sharks, as they got Martin Jones, but New York ended up dealing Talbot to Edmonton for a less than optimal return. In addition, Carl Hagelin went to Anaheim for Emersom Etem and the 46th pick, which became Ryan Gropp. Until we see what Kovacs becomes, the jury is out on that deal. But the initial return, especially in the prism of how valuable Hags was for Pitt when he went there, is not favorable to New York.

My wife has a statement she always uses: when a pig becomes a hog that's when its slaughtered. That's what happened to Sather. He got greedy and was burned. If a fair deal presents itself, make it and don't look for the next best of a better thing. The Rangers have several RFAs that could be in play on draft day. Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes and JT Miller each could generate a decent return. In the case of Kreider and Miller, likely an excellent return, but to me, despite the possible cap hit, this is a situation where holding on to the player or players might make more sense.

For all those who have said Hagelin shouldn't have been dealt even though his cap hit was expected to be $4 mil. Why are you okay with Kreider going based upon his cap hit likely ending up in the same range? If the view is that Kreider will never reach his potential, therefore meaning he will be overpaid, and this is a chance to maximize his return, then fine. But don't base the decision solely on salary.

The draft starts tonight...settle in, given the rumors, it should be a wild day and night.

(If a deal breaks during the day, I will post an update. Any trades after about 8PM Friday and on Saturday will have to wait till next blog Sunday).

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