NHL Central Scouting releases final rankings, who the Rangers should target in the Draft
Central Scouting has released its final ranking for the upcoming NHL Entry Draft which takes place on July 23 and 24. Where the New York Rangers will be selecting won’t be determined until the Draft Lottery takes place next week on Wednesday.
They have a 1% chance to select first overall, and a 2.1% for second. I doubt lightning will strike three years in a row, but wouldn’t that be something? Regardless, the Rangers are likely to remain where they are and pick 15th since the Coyotes do not have a selection due to a scouting violation.
Central Scouting releases rankings
Owen Power is likely to go first overall at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft based on Central Scouting’s rankings. The 6-6, 213 lbs blue-liner notched 16 points as a rookie with Michigan in the NCAA. He’s currently with Team Canada at the World Championships at the tender age of 18.
Here are your Top 5 North American skaters:
- Owen Power (D, NCAA)
- Mason McTavish (C, OHL)
- Kent Johnson (C, NCAA)
- Luke Hughes (D, NTDP)
- Dylan Guenther (RW, WHL)
Full N.A. Rankings here.
Here are your Top 5 European skaters:
- William Eklund (LW, Sweden)
- Simon Edvinsson (D, Sweden)
- Aatu Raty (C, Finland)
- Nikita Chibrikov (RW, Russia)
- Fedor Svechkov (C, Russia)
Full Euro Rankings here.
Who the Rangers should target
This is going to be a very difficult draft to project. However, I feel the Rangers must address their glaring need for center prospects. There are two potentially strong candidates that could be available to them when they select at 15.
Aatu Raty
Raty is a pivot who is 6-2 and weighs 185 lbs. Depending on who’s rankings you look at, he’s anywhere from around 10 to 20. If the Rangers hold the 15th spot, he should be on their target list to draft.
The 18 year-old plays for Karpat in Liiga which is Finland’s top league. He is in essence a boy among men and that needs to be considered when you realize he only has six points in 35 games. What is promising is his size, speed, and skating ability. He’s fluid on his skates and also has great playmaking vision.
Fedor Svechkov
This young Russian center can play the coveted two-way game. At U18 World Championships, he tallied 10 points in 17 games. The Draft Analyst, Steve Kournianos calls Svechkov a “premier playmaker with sharp vision and soft hands.” Specifically citing his passing ability being pro level and at the top of all centers in this upping draft.
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