Those misfires include back-to-back failures to hit on top-10 picks in the late 2010s, selecting one of the few duds in the talent-filled first round in 2003, and two top-10 selections who had long careers in hockey but never lived up to their draft status.

So, perhaps it’s a good thing the Rangers sent their first-round pick, No. 12 overall, to the Pittsburgh Penguins this year!

Here’s a look at five of the Rangers’ biggest first-round disappointments in the past 25 years.

Related: NHL insider provides Jarome Iginla reason why Rangers shouldn’t give up on Alexis Lafreniere

Lias Andersson (2017; Round 1, No. 7)

The Rangers had made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for seven straight seasons when they selected Swedish forward Lias Andersson with the seventh pick in 2017. Andersson had helped HV-71 win the Swedish Hockey League title earlier that spring.

Andersson became the youngest player in Rangers history to score a goal in his NHL debut when he tallied against the Washington Capitals on March 26, 2018. But that was just about the only thing that went right for him in New York. He was immature — and not nearly as skilled as the Rangers hoped. Andersson chafed at demotions to AHL Hartford, failed to make any NHL impact and worked his way back to Sweden before he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in October 2021.

Unfortunately for the Kings, Andersson was no better on the West Coast than he was on the East Coast. He signed with the Montreal Canadiens in the summer of 2023, spent all of 2023-24 in the AHL, then signed to play in Switzerland, where he remains today. His seven goals and 17 points in 110 games, including three goals and nine points in 66 games with the Rangers, look like they’ll be his final numbers in the NHL.

Andersson’s most lasting impact on the Rangers is positive one, though; the player they drafted with the second-round pick they got in the trade with the Kings was Will Cuylle.

Vitali Kravtsov (2018; Round 1, No. 9)

The only thing worse than whiffing on a top-10 pick is doing it again the next year. That’s what the Rangers did with Vitali Kravtsov, a Russian forward who never came close to becoming the star the Rangers hoped he’d be after taking him with the ninth pick in 2018.

Kravtsov played his post-draft year with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL, then came to North America and played 39 games for Hartford in the American Hockey League before he was loaned back to Traktor. He wound up there again in 2020-21 after failing to make the Rangers out of training camp, but ended up playing 20 games for New York, finishing with two goals and four points.

Like Andersson, Kravtsov was at odds with the Rangers and it was back to Traktor and the KHL for him in 2021-22, as it was obvious he wasn’t ready for the NHL. But he returned the Rangers in June 2022 and played 28 games for them in 2022-23. However, after putting up just three goals and six points, the Rangers traded him to the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 25, 2023.

Kravtsov has played the past two seasons with Traktor and figures to attract NHL interest after a 27-goal, 58-point, plus-31 season in 2024-25. Don’t expect the Rangers to be one of the interested parties.

Hugh Jessiman (2003; Round 1, No. 12)

The first round of the 2003 draft is regarded by many as among the best, if not the best, in NHL history. It included the second-winningest goaltender all-time (Marc-Andre Fleury) and four players who scored at least 400 goals (Eric Staal, Jeff Carter, Zach Parise and Corey Perry). Of the 30 players taken in the first round that year, 13 played at least 1,000 games.

And then there was Hugh Jessiman.

The Rangers, mired in a stretch that saw them miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for seven straight seasons, took the 6-foot-6 power forward after a sensational first season at Dartmouth that saw him score 23 goals and finish with 47 points in 34 games. But his offensive number dropped in 2003-04, and an ankle injury limited him to 12 games in 2005.

Jessiman turned pro after that but never caught on with the Rangers, splitting four seasons between Hartford and Charlotte, then an ECHL team. The Rangers gave him away to the Nashville Predators in October 2008, he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in August 2010 and was traded to the Florida Panthers in February 2011.

Florida finally gave him a cup of coffee in the NHL. He played two games for the Panthers, going scoreless while playing a total of 14:42 but becoming the last of the 2003 first-rounders to play an NHL game.

Jessiman remained in the AHL through 2012-13, then played two seasons in Europe before retiring in 2015. His name is guaranteed to elicit groans from Rangers fans of that era.

Dylan McIlrath (2010; Round 1, No. 10)

There were a lot of heads shaking after the Rangers used the No. 10 overall pick in the 2010 draft on Dylan McIlrath, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound defenseman who many felt was too slow and not skilled enough to succeed at the NHL level. The skeptics were right. Especially after a severe knee injury early in his career made him even less mobile.

McIlrath has had a long pro hockey career, but just 92 games of it have come in the NHL – and only 38 of those were for the Rangers. His only offensive production came in 2015-16, when he had two goals and four points in 34 games.

His greatest success has come with his current employer, the Washington Capitals. He captained Hersey, their AHL farm team, to back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2023 and 2024, and earned a role as a seventh defenseman in the NHL this past season, fighting Matt Rempe, among others, playing 17 games for the Eastern Conference regular-season champs and being a healthy scratch on most other nights. It was enough to earn him a new two-year contract through the 2026-27 season.

McIlrath’s career would be a good one if he were a late-round pick. As a first-rounder, he was the Rangers’ third top-10 bust in a four-year span.

Al Montoya (2004; Round 1, No. 6)

Drafting goaltenders high in the first round was in vogue early in the 21st century. But for every goalie like Fleury, who figures to be a first-ballot Hockey Hall of Famer as soon as he’s eligible, there are guys like Al Montoya, who never matched his draft position.

With Mike Richter’s career over and the Rangers having missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons, they were excited for the chance to draft Montoya, who had led Team USA to its first World Junior Championship gold medal in January 2004. He had also won 56 games in two seasons at Michigan.

However, the Rangers and Montoya were unable to agree on a contract in the summer of 2004, and he returned to Michigan for a third season before the two sides came to terms in the summer of 2005. Unfortunately for Montoya, that was the same year a seventh-round pick from Sweden named Henrik Lundqvist arrived in North America. Lundqvist won the starting job and went on to a Hall of Fame career. Montoya went on to … Hartford. And San Antonio. And six NHL teams (including the New York Islanders) as a decent backup goaltender before he retired from professional hockey in 2018-19.

Montoya’s career was hurt by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But his career numbers (168 games played, 67-49-24, 2.65 GAA, .908 save percentage) look more like those of a sixth-round pick, not the sixth player picked in his draft year.

The 25-year-old forward signed a two-year contract with EHC Biel-Bienne in the top professional league in Switzerland after spending the entire 2023-24 season in the American Hockey League, where he had 21 goals and 45 points in 53 games with Laval, the Montreal Canadiens affiliate.

“Lias Andersson is a flexible forward who will enrich our offensive game with his versatility and skill. He is able to play in various positions up front and adapt to the requirements of the game situations both offensively and defensively,” general manager Martin Steinegger said.

Andersson’s exit from North America ends a disappointing run that began with much hope and promise when the Rangers selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Among those drafted after him in the first round were forwards Casey Mittelstadt (No. 8, Buffalo Sabres), Martin Necas (No. 12, Carolina Hurricanes), Nick Suzuki (No. 13, Vegas Golden Knights) and Robert Thomas (No. 20, St. Louis Blues).

Though Andersson was a flop, the Rangers did select Filip Chytil with the No. 21 overall pick in 2017. Despite several injuries, and playing only 10 regular-season games this season due to an expected concussion, Chytil has played 337 games with the Rangers.

Related: NHL Insider explains why it’s easier for Rangers to trade Kaapo Kakko now

Lias Andersson was bust with Rangers

The Rangers believed they were getting a mature, two-way center that could be a future captain one day. Instead, Andersson was immature, and not nearly as skilled as they hoped. He chafed at demotions to Hartford in the AHL, failed to make any impact in the NHL and eventually worked his way back to Sweden before he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in October of 2021.

When as captain of Sweden he chucked his silver medal into the crowd at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship — where it should be noted he starred with six goals and seven points in seven games — Andersson was lauded as hate-to-lose leader. In retrospect, it might have been a sign of his immaturity.

Andersson wasn’t quite Hugh Jessiman. But he was among the worst first-round picks by the Rangers in recent memory.

He scored three goals and had nine points in 66 games over three seasons with the Blueshirts. He has 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in 110 NHL games with the Rangers and Kings.

Though he could always revive his career overseas and return to the NHL one day, it appears Andersson’s days in the NHL are now over, completing closing a chapter that the Rangers would be happy to forget.

If you guess Lias Andersson, you are correct!

Who can forget the infamous silver medal toss by Sweden’s captain, and Rangers’ first-round draft pick, after they lost to Canada in the 2018 World Junior Final?

Lias Andersson’s disappointing tenure with the New York Rangers

At the time, the Rangers had to hope that Andersson’s actions characterized his competitiveness and hatred for losing. Selected by the Blueshirts with the No. 7 pick in the 2017 NHL draft, there was much anticipation for how Andersson would be a big part of their rebuild.

It was not to be.

Andersson had three goals and nine points in 66 games over three seasons with the Rangers. Not that the two-way center was expected to be an offensive force, but he disappointed in all facets of the game.

During the rebuild, Andersson never found his way and requested to be traded. Who can forget his official fall from grace after tripping over the camera chord during opening night ceremonies in 2019?

The Rangers cut their losses and traded Andersson to the Los Angeles Kings for the No. 60 pick in the 2020 draft. That pick was used to select Will Cuylle. Consider that a major win for the Blueshirts.

Related: Rangers need to pull off another big deal ahead of NHL trade deadline

Rangers also made mistake by selecting Vitali Kravtsov in 2018

The 2017-18 season marked a new phase for the Rangers. The “Letter” was published laying out the organization’s plan to fully rebuild. The Rangers finished last in the Metropolitan Division and ended up with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 draft.

After trading captain Ryan McDonagh during the season, the Rangers entered the draft with a need for a defenseman. But the Rangers selected forward Vitali Kravtsov, who was projected to be a big-time scoring threat up front.

Mock Drafts did not have Kravtsov in the top 10, though, so it was a bit of a surprise pick for the Blueshirts. And it turned into a disastrous selection.

Kravtsov didn’t make his NHL debut until April of 2021 and he finished that season with only four points in 20 games.

After failing to crack the Rangers’ opening night roster in 2021-22, Kravtsov refused to report to Hartford in the American Hockey League and instead returned home to play in Russia. The Rangers loaned Kravtsov to Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL. 

Holding no grudges, the Rangers gave a fair shake to Kravtsov to start the 2022-23 season. The Russian forward contributed six points (three goals, three assists) in 28 games and was then traded to the Vancouver Canucks for Will Lockwood and a seventh-round draft pick in the 2026 draft. He finished his Rangers career with 10 points in 48 games.

Related: Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault leads Boston College to sweep over rival

Players Rangers passed up by selecting Lias Andersson

• Martin Necas (Center) selected 12th overall by Carolina Hurricanes

A divisional rival made the right pick! Necas has been a staple in the top six for a team that has had much success the past few seasons. In 328 NHL games, the center from Czechia has 86 goals and 221 points.

• Nick Suzuki (Center) selected 13th overall by Vegas Golden Knights

Suzuki has two 20-goal seasons under his belt and is captain of the Montreal Canadiens, after being part of the trade that sent Max Pacioretty to Vegas in September of 2018. He is the leader that the Rangers hoped Andersson would become and much more of a complete player, who has 251 points (88 goals, 163 assists) in 340 NHL games. Ironically, Andersson is part of the Canadiens organization now, though stuck in the minors.

• Robert Thomas (Center) selected 20th overall by St. Louis Blues

The London Knights product is yet another center the Rangers could have had on their roster. With 281 points in 362 NHL Games, Thomas has been a consistent point producer in St. Louis. This season he leads the Blues with 17 goals and 52 points in 48 games and will play in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game.

Players Rangers passed up by selecting Vitali Kravtsov

• Evan Bouchard (Defenseman) selected 10th overall by Edmonton Oilers

Bouchard has blossomed into an upper-tier offensive defenseman in the NHL. He’s scored 40+ points in three straight seasons and is well on his way to establishing a new NHL career high this season. Bouchard is fifth among NHL defensemen with 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists) in 45 games. In 229 NHL games, Bouchard has 132 points.

• Noah Dobson (Defenseman) selected 12th overall by New York Islanders

If you think Bouchard is good, then how about Dobson? Playing for the rival Islanders, Dobson is third among NHL defensemen this season with 52 points (six goals, 46 assists) in 49 games and is averaging 25:50 in ice time. Plus, he’s already had seasons with 51 and 49 points and right-shot defenseman to boot. In 287 NHL games, Dobson has 173 points).

• Joel Farabee (Left Wing) selected 14th overall by Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers got a sniper in Farabee, who has 172 points in 302 NHL games, including 17 goals and 40 points this season. He’s a middle-six winger whose production would have fit nicely on the Rangers.

As the anticipation builds for what this team can do after an exciting run to Eastern Conference Final, it’s time to look back on the franchise’s rich history.

The Blueshirts have been in the NHL since 1926 and have had some amazing moments. Of course, being around that long they have their share of some embarrassing ones too.

So we decided to take you back to a few true blooper gems from the Rangers archives.

Rangers bloopers: The Hockey Sock Rock

In 1979, some of hockey’s greats decided it was a good idea to get into the Rock N’ Roll business. This is a classic but pretty embarrassing when you look back. I think Phil Esposito’s induction into the Hall of Fame was delayed because of this. “How was I to know he was a ref-er-ree!!!”

Maybe it was really cool back in the day, but this is definitely cringeworthy now.

Ooooh Lala… Oh No

Was there something funny in the air in 1979? Anders Hedberg, Ron Duguay, Dave Maloney and of course…Phil Esposito were featured in a popular jeans commercial that totally backfired. The line ‘Ooh La La Sasson’ would be changed to Ooh La La So Soon whenever the Rangers were eliminated from the playoffs.

The jeans were really nice though.

Hockey Sock Rock Rangers edition

Ok, ok…if Hockey Sock Rock wasn’t bad enough, John Davidson did a segment for an NHL direct to video release in the 80’s that will make you shake your head.

Phil Esposito led the charge again with Ron Duguay and Dave Maloney. Also in the video is a song by the some L.A. Kings stars which include Marcel Dionne, who later would play for the Rangers too.

John Giannone rare blooper

John Giannone is one of the best in the business, but this moment during an old MSG broadcast in 2015 is one he would love to forget. In fairness to John, it wasn’t his mistake alone because someone in the truck aired the wrong clip.

After a brief commercial break the appropriate clip aired and Giannone captured the moment beautifully as he always does.

The Great Mistake

It’s spelled G-R-E-T-Z-K-Y! Not G-R-E-T-K-Z-Y!

Did the Rangers really do that? Yes, on October 30th, 1997 the Rangers misspelled the name of the greatest hockey player in the world to ever lace up skates. AGAINST THE ISLANDERS NO LESS! I bet many of you have locked this embarrassing moment away. Sorry to shed light on this debacle again. Wayne Gretzky we apologize…again…and again.

Wayne Gretzky’s amazing career spanned 20 years beginning with the Edmonton Oilers. He was then traded to the L.A. Kings in what is still considered one of the most shocking moves in sports. Gretzky made a pit stop with the St. Louis Blues before ending his illustrious career on Broadway.

The all-time leader in NHL scoring with 2,857 points: Wayne Gretkzy– I mean Gretzky.

Lias Andersson falls on opening night

Lias Andersson suffered one of the most embarrassing moments for a Ranger. The setting was Opening Night against the Winnipeg Jets on October 3, 2019.

Andersson was feeling really good coming out of training camp after making the team for the 2019-20 season. The Rangers first-round pick from the 2017 Draft was on the opening night roster and was being introduced to the crowd.

Stick raised in the air triumphantly to acknowledge the fans’ cheers, Andersson forgot about the perilous TV wire that took him down on the way to center ice.

The Rangers did go on to win that game 6-4 with Artemi Panarin recording three points in his Garden debut.

In the end, this was Andersson’s final season with the Rangers. He was eventually traded to the L.A. Kings for a second round pick in the 2020 Draft.

Wait a minute? Is there a trend between the Rangers and Kings when it comes to bloopers? We may have to investigate that in the future.

NHL News and Rumors

• Was the Jack Eichel trade worth it
• Did last year’s conference finalists get better?
• Nazem Kadri heading for the Islanders?

Lias Andersson, “I was hoping to get traded”

In an updated article in The Athletic, Lias Andersson commented on his trade to the L.A. Kings.

“My situation with the Rangers wasn’t the best,” he said. “So, I was hoping to get traded here to another organization. When that happened, it was kind of a relief feeling. As I said, I’m just super happy right now. And I don’t even really know what to say – just that I’m very happy and excited.”

Lias Andersson, via The Athletic

It should be noted that Lias’ father is a scout for the Kings and there was an obvious familial connection to this deal.

Time to move on

The Rangers first round pick in 2017, seventh overall never found his legs with the Blueshirts despite being given ample opportunities with the big club. Andersson even admitted it by saying, “I think I lost my game a little bit in New York and didn’t do the things I was good at.”

His biggest issues were skating for the most part. Both Alain Vigneault and David Quinn found that to be problematic. And he struggled with making his presence known on the ice, remember it isn’t always about getting points in the early going.

Regardless, it is time for both sides to move on.

Rangers trade Andersson and select William Cuylle

The Blueshirts moved an asset that had no desire to continue in the organization. In return they used that 2nd round pick to select LW, William Cuylle.

Here’s a quick scouting report from The Draft Analyst:

From the Rangers:

SHL Statement on Andersson Suspension

VIA SHL WEBSITE:

In period 2, 9.32 remain. Luleå player no. 14 Jonas Berglund has the puck in his defense zone and lifts it out in the neutral zone. HV71 player no. 23 Lias Andersson comes from the side and tackles Berglund in the head. Andersson steps in front and with an upward shoulder, Andersson hits Berglund’s head hard. Berglund leaves the match and does not return to play.

The situation room chose to report the incident to the disciplinary committee, which has now sentenced Lias Andersson for the main tackle.

Key factors

• The tackle is late and Berglund has relaxed and is in a vulnerable situation when the tackle is handed out.

• The tackle, which takes place from the side, is careless and disrespectful.

• Very high risk of injury.

Lias Andersson likely to be suspended

Lias Andersson played very well yesterday recording two helpers. Unfortunately, he was also involved in a hit that will certainly get him a suspension.

In other prospect news, Nils Lundkvist scored a beauty in Lulea’s 5-4 win over Andersson’s HV71 team. Check out the gorgeous tip for the game-winner.

John Davidson on Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal

Last night, MSG started its coverage of the NHL Draft. They had on John Davidson who spoke highly of Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal.

“When you think about Marc Staal and Henrik, combined almost 30 years of service with the Rangers, and both of them have played with a great deal of compassion, a great deal of competitiveness, have gone and won a Presidents Trophy and have gone to the Stanley Cup Finals. These are the types of things that really weigh on you when you try and make these decisions, and these are the hard ones to make.”

Check out today’s NHL Headlines

Get ready for the draft with The Daily Goal Horn.

Below are excerpts from the official report provided to the media via the New York Rangers.

Scoring Swedes

• Lias Andersson recorded a point in each of HV71’s two games during the past week (one goal, one assist). The Rangers’ first round pick (seventh overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has tallied two points (one goal, one assist) and has registered 10 shots on goal in three SHL games thus far in 2020-21. Andersson’s 10 shots on goal are the second-most on HV71 and his two points are tied for the third-most on the team through the first three games of the season.

• Nils Lundkvist tied for the game-high with four shots on goal, led all skaters with seven shot attempts, and posted a plus-two rating in 18:27 of ice time to help Lulea earn a win on Sept. 26 against Oskarshamn. The Rangers’ first round pick (28th overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has registered one assist and 10 shots on goal through the first two SHL games in 2020-21, and he has averaged 19:16 of ice time in the two contests.

• Karl Henriksson tallied an assist (his first assist of the 2020-21 season and the second assist/point of his SHL career) and posted a plus-one rating in 14:24 of ice time to help Frolunda win its game on Sept. 27 against Djurgardens.

Vitali Kravtsov cools down in the KHL

• Vitali Kravtsov skated in three games with Traktor during the past week, and he logged at least 19:00 of ice time in each game (19:08 of ice time on Sept. 22 against Severstal, 19:41 of ice time on Sept. 24 against Salavat Yulaev, and 19:16 of ice time on Sept. 27 against Dinamo Minsk). The 19:41, 19:16, and 19:08 of ice time Kravtsov logged in those contests were the second-most, third-most, and fourth-most amounts of ice time he has played in a single game, respectively, in his KHL career. The Rangers’ first round pick (ninth overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has recorded seven points (six goals, one assist) and 38 shots on goal in 10 KHL games in 2020-21, and he has tallied a goal/point in five of the 10 games.

I spoke with KHL Reporter, Gillian Kemmerer for her insights on Vitali’s season so far with Traktor. Here’s what she said:

“One of Traktor’s players described the change within Kravtsov as a migration from “cute hockey” to a more aggressive, North American game. Another joked about trading dipsy-doodles for being first in on the forecheck. Beyond his on-ice performance, he is working harder than ever.“

“Aside from the regular Traktor routine, he pulls up the Rangers’ workouts on his phone and is logging extra time in the gym. Players who have known him for years see the change in his work ethic, but also his mentality. One teammate commented that he seems to put less unproductive levels of his pressure on himself. The results are (thus far) self-evident in his numbers.“

Other Rangers prospects

• Olof Lindbom earned a win in each of his two pre-season appearances with Mora (Allsvenskan) during the past week, stopping 83 of 87 shots (.954 SV%) in the two contests. He stopped 39 of 40 shots and earned a win on Sept. 25 against Karlskoga, and he made 44 saves and earned a win while playing the second half of a back-to-back-set on Sept. 26 against Karlskoga.

• Yegor Rykov was credited with two blocked shots and posted a plus-one rating in 17:54 of ice time to help CSKA Moscow win its game on Sept. 27 against Jokerit.

• Adam Huska only allowed two goals and earned a win while making his first pre-season appearance with HKM Zvolen in Slovakia on Sept. 22.

Lias Andersson gets on the scoresheet again

Since returning to Sweden, Lias Andersson has found his game again. Playing on the top two lines for HV71 he is becoming the star the Rangers drafted in 2017. After three games, Lias has a goal and an assist.

Nils Lundkvist continues to shine

The Rangers made the wise decision with Nils Lundkvist to let him return to Lulea this season. Although he didn’t score today, Nils launched four shots, and was a +2 in 18:27 of ice time. He has one assist on the year but is already considered one of the best defenseman in the SHL.

Olof Lindbom impressive

Rangers prospect goalie put on quite the performance today. He stopped 44 pucks in Mora’s preseason win. He is also sporting a great .954 SV% in two games.

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