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Rangers to select 15th in draft, are they keeping the pick? |
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The Rangers were unable to buck the heavy odds this year to move up to first or second in the draft, instead remaining at the 15th spot. In 2019, New York landed at second, selecting Kakko Kaapo. Last year, the Blueshirts won the Alexis Lafreniere sweepstakes, picking first, which helped to contribute or resulted in changes to the draft lottery. Buffalo will pick first, followed by Seattle and Anaheim.
At 15, in the past, New York most recently selected J.T. Miller in 2011 and also grabbed Alexei Kovalev at the same spot in 1991. All of us would be ecstatic if this pick, presuming New York keeps it, turns out to be either player. Picking 15, the Blueshirts selected Chris Kontos in 1982, while the other players taken there in the past by New York were less than memorable names.
The big question obviously is if this pick will be used to acquire an NHL player or one closer to playing in the league. Ironically, the number location of this selection matches that of a certain center from the team that has the first overall selection. Whether that rumored deal based on supposed interest pans out remains to be seen, but the pick number just adds another layer of intrigue to the draft. In addition, keep in mind that the Blueshirts don't have a second round pick, as that was dealt to Detroit to facilitate the Red Wings taking on Marc Staal to free up cap room to sign Tony DeAngelo and Ryan Strome.
If New York makes the pick, one player I would be happy for the team to get there is Matthew Coronado. With the change in who will be involved in the draft in the past year, including Gord Clark moving into a different role and European scouting Nick Bobrov being released, Chris Drury will oversee the draft in conjunction with director of North American scouting Chris Morehouse. The expectation is this will result in a modification of philosophy and potential larger focus on toughness along with skill and possibly less concentration on European players and more so on the US and Canada. Hopefully, the team will continue to concentrate on taking the right players, irrespective of which country they are from.
What say you?
Does New York keep the pick?
If trading the pick, is it to slide down and recoup a second round pick to further bolster the prospect coffers?
If dealing the pick, and not for Eichel, who is the target? Is it Tomas Hertl, Elias Lindholm or other?
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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