Gorton has some decision to make at the draft (NHL/CBSsports)
2014 Draft A Big Disappointment
The Rangers opted to not sign 3 of their 7 draft picks from 2014. Keegan Iverson (3rd round, 2nd selection), Ryan Mantha (4th round, 3rd selection), and Richard Nejezchleb (5th round, 5th selection).
The Rangers now have 2 goalies and 2 defensemen left from that draft. Should Brandon Halverson (2nd round, 1st selection) or Igor Shesterkin (4th round, 4th selection) ever pan it out and take the reins from Henrik Lundqvist in a few years, then this draft will be saved. Otherwise, it appears to be one of their worst in history.
Defensemen, Tyler Nanne (7th selection) is a long shot to make the Rangers in the near future.
Sam Rosen Will Be Recognized by the HHOF
Congrats to Sam Rosen who will receive the Foster Hewitt Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster pic.twitter.com/k0dV3pzwZO
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 2, 2016
Congrats Sam!
Rumor: Kevin Hayes available?
Elliotte Friedman noted that teams are very interested in Rick Nash in his latest 30 Thoughts. However, he also dropped this tidbit.
If [Nash is] healthy, he makes a big difference. And, is he more valuable with one year remaining in his contract, not two? The Rangers also have centres. And, everyone is looking for centres. They’re going to be interesting to watch.
We’ve already written about and dismissed the notion of trading Derek Stepan here. The only way they do that is if they are clearing cap space to bring in Steven Stamkos and we explained why that was unlikely as well.
Still, with the Rangers having 4 RFA’s they need to re-sign and what appeared to be a lack of confidence by Alain Vigneault, it’s logical that Kevin Hayes could be moved. Spector’s Hockey stated as much.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s growing anticipation Rangers management will shake things up this summer. A Nash trade could be possible, but it depends on the level of interest and type of return. I doubt the Rangers move centers such as Derek Stepan or Derick Brassard, but Kevin Hayes could hit the trade block.
If the Rangers do move Hayes, I expect it will be for a high draft pick or 2 picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. After choosing to not keep almost half of their 2014 draft class and lack of early picks, this makes the most sense.
