I was wrong! Everyday Vitali Kravtsov looks like the elite forward that has eluded the Rangers in every draft since it started in 1963.

When the Rangers chose to go off the board last summer by passing over American sniper, Oliver Wahlstrom and select Russian playmaker, Vitali Kravtsov I was livid.

I wrote a pretty scathing article after the draft that the Rangers opted to go with “a decent offensive piece” versus a “prolific goal scorer for years to come.” Now, we flash forward nearly 6 months later and Wahlstrom is struggling while Kravtsov is thriving.

Things are so bad for Wahlstrom at BC this year, that rumors have surfaced that he is trying to leave the program and play hockey elsewhere. On the flip side, Kravtsov is impressing in the KHL and showing his elite level talent at the WJC.

Kravtsov opened the tournament with a goal and an assist and led all forwards in ice time. He did this while playing center and continues to show his versatility at almost any forward position in his young career.

This is not unusual for this dynamic forward who was named the best forward at the Four Nations tournament this summer. He finished with a goal and 4 points in three games. Although it’s early on in his career, Kravtsov appears to elevate his game not wilt under pressure in the playoffs or tournament play.

In the KHL this season, Kravtsov has 6 goals and 17 points in 33 games. That may not sound impressive until you realize he’s 19 years old playing on a bad team in one of Europe’s premiere leagues. Oh, he just turned 19 two days before Christmas.

“On a struggling team, filled with injuries and coaching changes, Vitali has been a bright light,” Rangers Director of European Scouting Nickolai Bobrov said earlier this month. “His vision, playmaking ability, and dynamic skill and skating style are on display every game.”

WFAN

Kravtsov’s early KHL career has been likened to such stars as Evegeny Kuznetsov and Artemi Panarin. Both of those players launched their KHL careers scoring at a similar clip to Kravtsov’s current rate. Seeing how they are thriving in the NHL today, it bodes well for Kravtsov’s future prospects here in North America.

As the fortunes of both his current team and future NHL team continues to drop in the standings, we may see Kravtsov in a Rangers sweater at the end of the season for a handful of games.

With the Rangers continuing to blow leads and losing points in the playoff race, the possibility of landing one of the top three picks in the draft lottery increases. A future where Vitali Kravtsov playing on the same team with the likes of a Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko should be the bright light at the end of the tunnel for all Rangers fans this season.

Finally, it is really too early to dismiss Oliver Wahlstrom and the possibility he should’ve been the pick over Kravtsov. But the truth be told hindsight is 20/20 and the way this kid is playing, it looks like I and many others needed glasses on the night he was selected.

Vitali Kravtsov, the ninth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has a decision to make. Should he have his contract bought out and he’d come over to the Rangers organization this year or should he finish his current contract with his KHL team and come for the next season. As of right now, it’s up in the air. If you’re like me, you weren’t initially thrilled that the Rangers passed up on Oliver Wahlstrom, the apparent “best goal scorer in the draft” but that is all behind us now. There was a reason that Jeff Gorton and the rest of the Rangers organization chose Kravtsov. If I were Gorton and Kravtsov, I think the choice is clear, come to New York as soon as possible.

Building Chemistry

We all know that the upcoming NHL season will not be a pretty one, or at least that’s what I’d like to assume. The Rangers are starting to show signs that they’re going younger throughout the system. In using all but one of the many draft picks that they acquired for this draft (traded a second rounder to move up for K’Andre Miller), the Rangers showed that they trust their scouts to find new talent. Instead of dealing their many picks and overpaying to either trade up early or trade for a veteran asset for next season, they stayed the course and stocked up on prospects. Though many of these prospects won’t make the opening night roster, there are still a few young players to build chemistry with. Kravtsov will have Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, Brady Skjei, Pavel Buchnevich and maybe even a few other prospects to build a relationship with on and off the ice. The more ice time Kravstov gets in North America, the better he’ll adjust.

New System and New Ice

It’s no secret that there may be some growing pains, or in this case shrinking pains, when international players come to the NHL. The North American ice surface is significantly smaller compared to almost every other league around the world. This surprisingly could have an interesting impact on the Rangers ninth overall pick. Though a roster spot is not guaranteed, even if Kravtsov starts in Hartford this next season, the ice adjustment will still be in full swing. If Kravtsov does, in fact, make the roster out of camp he has another hurdle to overcome and that’s a whole new system under a new coach. Though the whole team will be dealing with this change, it might be beneficial that the KHL’s reigning rookie of the year experience this with everybody else. It’ll also be interesting to see Quinn’s approach to this youngster and the talents he can develop.

He Can Handle a Men’s Game

Obviously this situation wouldn’t be occurring if Kravstov didn’t want to be with the Rangers. Requesting to join the team, or at least be part of the system, shows that he’s ready to advance to the top-level in the hockey world. I’m sure by now he’s seen and heard certain fans’ reactions towards the Rangers pick but obviously he isn’t phased by it. Watching his highlights and his overall play shows he can compete with men. The KHL isn’t a developmental league or a junior league or even the AHL to some degree. This is where men play and he’s shown he can handle that high speed, physical game. Though the decision will ultimately be up to Jeff Gorton and the front office – they’ll be paying for that buyout – I believe they shouldn’t pass up on an opportunity to let the kid dive right in.

The Rangers Did It Again

All of a sudden, after 6 picks the Rangers were looking at some great young defensemen or the purest goal scorer in the draft. The Rangers were sitting pretty.

With the 7th pick in the draft the Vancouver Canucks select D, Quinn Hughes.

With the 8th pick in the draft the Chicago Blackhawks select D, Adam Boqvist.

This is it! The Rangers got lucky and landed the kid with the ridiculous one timer and hands of gold. A pure goal scorer they so desperately lack and need. Rangers fans were at the NHL draft party giddy with anticipation. Ok, here they go up to the podium to announce Oliver Wahlstrom.

With the 9th pick in the draft the New York Rangers select W, Vitali Kravtsov.

Kravtsov? The Hulu Theater went almost silent as people scrambled to their phones to figure out who the Rangers just picked. Almost like last year when the Rangers passed over highly touted forwards, Casey Mittlestadt, Owen Tippett, and Gabriel Vilardi in order to select Lias Andersson at 7th overall.

Two years in a row, the Rangers went off the board a bit to draft a player they like versus one of the higher ranked kids available.

What Experts Are Saying

Vitali Kravtsov is an offensive talent for sure. At 6’4″ and 184 lbs he has size which is something you can’t teach. While he didn’t light up the KHL during the regular season with 7 points in 35 games, he had an eye-opening playoffs with 11 points in 16 games. The general consensus from draft experts was that he is a great skater with a huge ceiling.

At face value, there is nothing wrong with this selection. Matter of fact, the more you read and see about him, the more there is to like. The issue is this, they passed over Oliver Wahlstrom. Just for context, let me present how CBS recapped the draft selections below:

“A decent offensive piece” versus “could be a prolific goal-scorer in this league for years to come.” Is there anymore that needs too be said about why this pick is a bit confusing.

Ignoring an Obvious Need

What’s even more confounding was what the Rangers Director of Scouting, Gordie Clark said about him. “He’s a little bit like J.T. Miller,” Clark told Newsday. If he’s like J.T. Miller, why did you trade J.T. Miller? “We don’t think he’s a goal-scorer, but he scores goals. But he makes more plays. You can’t play an 18-year-old in the KHL in the center spot at all. He had been a center growing up, but that’s to see in the future. But we took him as a winger.’’

The Rangers for years have desperately needed an elite goal scorer. I’ve been screaming about this at the top of my lungs for a while now. So much so I wrote about why the Rangers fail in the playoffs time and time again. It is because they can’t score when it counts, and they just passed over the one player that was gifted to them at 9 to select a center they want to be a winger who can make plays but isn’t a goal scorer.

Is This Vlad Tarasenko All Over Again

Rangers fans have legitimate concerns when it comes to drafting first round picks. The truth is the Rangers have a terrible track record for 1st round selections. Pavel Brendl, Hugh Jessiman, Al Montoya, Bobby Sanguinetti, and Dylan McIlrath.

The last name on that list was taken over Vlad Tarasenko and is the literally the poster child for the Rangers mind numbing choices in the first round. The harsh reality is that even if Kravtsov becomes a 25 goals and 60-70 points a year player, it will still be a bust if Wahlstrom is scoring 40-50 goals with the rival Islanders.

To be fair, I am criticizing the selection without the knowledge or expertise of those who decided on Kravtsov over Wahlstrom. While it appears obvious to most experts and others like me that Wahlstrom was the better talent, the Rangers may see Kravtsov as a better longterm fit. This is as they say, “the process” and we need to trust in it and their vision.

I just hope the name Oliver Wahlstrom doesn’t become Vlad Tarasenko all over again.

9) New York Rangers – Vitali Kravtsov – RW – Traktor Chelyabinsk – KHL (6’2”, 183 lbs)

David Quinn said that the Rangers talked about him a lot and raved about his hockey skill and character. Of course the Rangers hand their pick of highly touted defenseman Noah Dobson or forward, Oliver Wahlstrom but decided to go with a player they probably would have gotten much later in the 1st round.

At this point the selection is beyond confusing.

Earlier today, Russell Hartman has the Rangers selecting him at 28.

The Rangers aren’t afraid to take Russian kids. Pavel Buchnevich and Igor Shestyerkin are recent examples of that and with their last pick of the first-round, the Rangers get someone with sky high potential. Kravtsov, according to eliteprospects.com, “can play up and down the lineup and provide scoring in a number of roles,” and “has the potential to develop into a staple top-six forward that can produce at the next level.” Sounds like someone definitely worthy of a late first round pick.

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8suGptAYW8″]

The 2018 NHL Entry draft is almost upon us and the suspense and intrigue continue to build before the Friday night spectacle. The 31 NHL clubs will meet in Dallas with hopes to better their respective franchises for years to come. Beyond Rasmus Dahlin going first overall and Andrei Svechnikov going second overall, this draft is as wide open as it’s been in years. Will Montreal take a center? Who are the Rangers going with? What will our fierce rivals, the Islanders, and Devils, end up doing? Find out all that and more in the 2018 Forever Blueshirts Mock Draft.

1) Buffalo Sabres – Rasmus Dahlin – D – Frolunda – SHL (6’1”, 187 lbs)

2017-18 stats: 41 GP – 7 G, 13 A – 20 points

If you’re a Buffalo Sabres fan, you can have your Dahlin jersey made. The consensus number one overall pick, this kid is a generational talent on the blueline and will anchor the Sabres defense corps for years to come. A power-play unit consisting of Jack Eichel, Casey Mittelstadt and Dahlin? That’s going to strike fear into opponents in the coming years.

2) Carolina Hurricanes – Andrei Svechnikov – RW – Barrie Colts – OHL  (6’3”, 187 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 44 GP – 40 G, 32 A – 72 Points

With comparisons being made to fellow countrymanAlex Ovechkin and Finnish phenom Patrik Laine, this kid is just too good for the Hurricanes to pass up at second overall. The Hurricanes, the biggest beneficiaries of this year’s draft lottery, will get a kid who can step in right away and immediately be an impact player for their team. Great size, amazing offensive capabilities and as pure a sniper as you can find. Svechnikov is the rare, complete package franchise winger.

3) Montreal Canadiens – Filip Zadina – LW – Halifax Mooseheads – QMJHL (6’1”, 192 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 57 GP – 44 G, 38 A – 82 points

Talent will outweigh risk here. Although rumors have run wild that the Canadiens will possibly select Finnish center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, I think they will ultimately go with the best player available and that’s Zadina. Pure sniper is the best way to describe Zadina, although his playmaking skills are not to be underestimated. Acquiring a winger of this caliber doesn’t get the Canadiens the center they desperately need, but the talent of Zadina is too good to pass up. With Zadina though, exploring a possible Max Pacioretty trade for a center makes more sense.

4) Ottawa Senators – Adam Boqvist – D – Brynas IF – SHL (5’11”, 165 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 47 GP – 14 G, 13 A – 27 points (Split season between SHL, Allsvenskan and SuperElit)

Erik Karlsson will most likely be gone this summer. The Senators have basically burnt bridges with their franchise player and Boqvist will be the guy that will eventually overtake Karlsson’s place on the blueline. Boqvist has an amazing shot and is quite the puck wizard. He’s as dynamic as they come on the blueline and although he may not reach Karlsson’s heights, he is still a franchise caliber defenivse prospect. He may need a few years of seasoning but the rebuilding Sens can afford to wait.

5) Arizona Coyotes – Noah Dobson – D – Acadie-Bathurst Titan – QMJHL (6’3”, 179 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 67 GP – 17 G, 52 A – 69 points

Dobson was one of the great risers of this year’s draft class and winning the Memorial Cup with Acadie-Bathurst just proved this kid is as rock solid on defense as they come. Some scouts and analysts think he is the best 1v1 defender in this draft and he is as steady as they come in his own end. With forward prospects like Ryan Strome, Nick Merkley and Tyler Steenbergen in their system, the Coyotes should add Dobson to a defense corps that suddenly looks pretty good. Ekman-Larsson, Hjalmarsson, Chychrun, Dobson, Demers…. Not bad at all Arizona, not bad at all.

6) Detroit Red Wings – Brady Tkachuk – LW – Boston University – NCAA (6’3”, 196 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 40 GP – 8 G, 23 A – 31 points

A big, nasty and skilled winger that has NHL pedigree. All year we’ve heard how Tkachuk strikes fear into opponents and doesn’t shy away from the big moments. He was a crucial piece of the team USA’s great run at the World Junior Championships this year and scored some memorable goals against Canada. Tkachuk will give the Red Wings a highly skilled power forward that will help them for years to come.

7) Vancouver Canucks –  Quinton Hughes – D – Univ. of Michigan – NCAA (5’10”, 174 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 37 GP – 5 G, 24 A – 29 points

Possibly the smoothest skating defenseman in the entire draft, Hughes will make the rebuilding Canucks very happy. He has great vision and can take over a game with his decision making and ability to move the puck up the ice. The Canucks will gain a massive boost to their defense corps with this pick and they can afford to let Hughes continue growing in the college ranks. With reigning SHL MVP, Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Dahlen both on the way for the Canucks, they could use a good prospect to bolster their blue line.

8) Chicago Blackhawks – Evan Bouchard – D – London Knights – OHL – (6’2”, 192 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 67 GP –  25 G, 62 A – 87 points

Booming shot? You got it. Excellent vision and hockey IQ? That’s there also. Leadership qualities? He was the captain of the London Knights this past season. Evan Bouchard is everything the Chicago Blackhawks need right now. With Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook entering the twilight of their careers, the Blackhawks could use this big blueliner who can one day anchor this team’s defense. You’d be hard pressed to find a better match for the Blackhawks at this position.

9) New York Rangers – Oliver Wahlstrom – RW – USNTDP – USDP (6’1”, 207 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 62 GP – 48 G, 46 A – 94 points

The Rangers get their guy at number nine. Wahlstrom is a pure goal scorer and looked absolutely dominant this past season with the USNTDP U18 squad. He’s a shoot first player and man, can he shoot the puck. According to Cutis Joe of eliteprospects.com, Wahlstrom can be “uncontainable” in the offensive zone. He has the size, skating ability and skill to be a top line winger in the NHL. Wahlstrom is committed to Boston College next season but don’t be shocked if he makes the jump to the Rangers the year after.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVlu9dyLrxQ

10 – Edmonton Oilers – Ty Smith – D – Spokane Chiefs – WHL (5’10”, 170 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 69 GP – 14 G, 59 A – 73 points

The Oilers need to draft a defenseman and there are none better at this point in the draft than Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs. Regarded as the best WHL prospect this year, Smith is a crafty blueliner that has elite skating ability. Smith is a guy that could easily go higher in this draft and has a lot of the same upside as guys like Hughes and Dobson. The Oilers have some great offensive talent with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way and Smith would be a great injection of skill on their blueline.

11) New York Islanders – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – C – Assat – Liiga (6’2”, 190 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 57 GP – 10 G, 19 A – 29 points

The Islanders begin their back-to-back selections with a highly skilled, big bodied center from Finland. Kotkaniemi has shot up the draft boards in recent weeks and some scouts and analysts think he could even jump into the top-five or top-three depending on the Montreal Canadiens. Getting him at 11 will be a great pick for the Islanders as he gives them yet another great center. Regardless of John Tavares staying or leaving Brooklyn, it’s never bad in the NHL to have too much center depth.

12) New York Islanders (From CGY) – Bode Wilde – D – USNTDP – USDP (6’2”, 196 pounds)

2017-18 Stats: 61 GP – 12 G, 29 A – 41 points

With their second half of their back-to-back picks, the Islanders go for potential. Wilde seems to have a sky-high ceiling but he still makes some questionable decisions with the puck. He has a fantastic shot and shows flashes of what he can be if his game trends in the right direction. This pick could pay dividends for the Isles if Wilde pans out as one of the games next great offensive defenseman. The Islanders have great offensive talent and Wilde will be a nice addition to their young blueline.

13) Dallas Stars  – Joe Veleno – C – Drummondville Voltigeurs – QMJHL (6’1”, 194 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 64 GP – 22 G, 57 A – 79 points

The Stars get someone who many consider to be the best overall center in this draft. Veleno was granted exceptional status to play major junior hockey when he was 15 and had ridiculous pressure on him for most of his career. A mid-season trade from the St. John Sea Dogs to the Voltigeurs seemed to awaken a sleeping giant and Veleno began to demolish the competition. The Stars get their second line center of the future here to line up behind Tyler Seguin. Veleno also gives them the flexibility to move Jason Spezza.

14) Philadelphia Flyers (From STL) – Joel Farabee – LW – USNTDP – USDP (6’0”, 168 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 62 GP – 33 G, 43 A – 76 points

The Flyers get a winger that was part of the dangerous three-headed monster on the USNTDP’s top line. Farabee, joined by (likely) 2019 first overall pick Jack Hughes and Oliver Wahlstrom formed an absolutely dominant top line this past year. Farabee has a deadly shot and knows where to be to get his chances on the ice. Farabee playing on Nolan Patrick or Sean Couturier’s wing will be too good for the Flyers to pass up.

15) Florida Panthers – Rasmus Sandin – D – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – OHL (5’11”, 190 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 51 GP – 12 G, 33 A – 45 points

Not the best skating defenseman in the draft but one who clearly makes up for it in other areas. He led all OHL rookies in plus-minus with a +35 and led all first-year defenseman in the OHL with 51 points. He can shoot the puck well, makes great passes and would look great on a Florida Panthers defense corps that includes Keith Yandle, Aaron Ekblad and Mike Matheson. Skilled puck-moving defensemen are never a bad choice.

16) Colorado Avalanche – Barrett Hayton – C – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – OHL (6’1”, 185 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 63 GP – 21 G, 39 A – 60 points

Hayton is a fantastic two-way center with nice offensive skills. Many scouts and analysts see him as the next Morgan Frost in the sense that he is just reaching the potential he has and could explode next year. The Avalanche are in the middle of a great rebuild and Hayton will look great playing center for the Avs. A center corps consisting of Nathan Mackinnon, Hayton, Alexander Kerfoot and Carl Soderberg is really good; and if Hayton blooms like he’s projected to, the Avs will be set at center for years to come.

17) New Jersey Devils –  Ty Dellandrea – C – Flint Firebirds – OHL (6’1”, 190 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 67 GP – 27 G. 32 A – 59 points

The Devils shocked everyone this year with their fast play and a surprising wild card berth in the playoffs. Taylor Hall had an MVP season and Nico Hischier is looking like he is going to be a great center in this league. The Devils take a bit of a chance here on Dellandrea but make no mistake: Dellandrea is an excellent skater and had to drive almost all of the offense on a not so good Firebirds team. Surround him with some better talent and Dellandrea could blossom. Hischier, Dellandrea and Zajac down the middle ‘ain’t too shabby for the Devils. Dellandrea has great size as well.

18) Columbus Blue Jackets – Isac Lundeström – C/LW – Lulea HF – SHL (6’0”, 183 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 42 GP – 6 G, 9 A – 15 points

Considered one of the best two-way players in this draft, Lundeström maks perfect sense for the Blue Jackets at 18th overall. The Jackets have great depth on their wings and on the defensive side of the puck but their center depth could use some help. Lundestrom would look great in their lineup behind Pierre-Luc Dubois. Lundeström is a jack-of-all-trades type player and a fairly safe pick, all things considered. Lundeström also has a sneaky good shot.

19) Philadelphia Flyers – Grigori Denisenko – LW – Loko Yaroslavl – MHL (5’10”, 165 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 31 GP – 9 G, 13 A – 22 points

A bit of a wild child, but one that could pay dividends for the Flyers in the near future. The kid has an immense amount of skill and untapped potential. He knows how to finish his chances and he knows how to make plays. He dazzles with the puck on his stick and would be a welcome addition on Sean Couturier or Nolan Patrick’s wing in the near future. He has some maturity and consistency issues to work out but since the Flyers have multiple first round picks they can afford to take a chance on this Russian puck wizard.

20) Los Angeles Kings – Serron Noel – RW – Oshawa Generals – OHL (6’5”, 209 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 62 GP – 28 G, 25 A – 53 points

This hulking power forward has all the raw potential in the world. Scouts wonder where he will fall in this draft but the Los Angeles Kings would be wise to take him at 20th overall. Imagine a guy with his size and hands playing with Anze Kopitar? That’s a deadly combination for the Kings to think about and Noel seems like he is only going to get better after putting up fantastic numbers in his second year with the Generals. Noel could prove to be one of the better value picks in this draft.

21) San Jose Sharks – Rasmus Kupari – C – Karpat – Liiga (5’1”, 163 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 39 GP – 6 G, 8 A – 14 points

Kupari is being compared to fellow countryman Sebastian Aho (the Carolina Hurricanes winger, not the Islanders defenseman), and boy does he look like he could be something in this league. Although he will have to bulk up before he makes a run to the NHL, Kupari already looks like he has the smarts and skill to take on the big leagues. He had a great season in the low-scoring Liiga playing against much older competition. Along with Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture, Kupari would be a great addition to the Sharks center depth in the coming years.

22) Ottawa Senators (From Pittsburgh) –  Akil Thomas – C – Niagara IceDogs – OHL (6’0”, 170 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 68 GP – 22 G, 59 A – 81 points

Thomas will be a great addition to the rebuilding Senators. Along with fellow centermen Logan Brown and Matt Duchene, the Sens can have nice depth down the middle of the ice in the coming years. While undersized, Thomas has excellent vision, great speed and would fit well with guys like Mark Stone and Colin White. Thomas probably needs another year or two to fill out his frame and bulk up for the rigors of the NHL, but he will be a welcome addition to the Sens pipeline as the rebuild goes on.

23) Anaheim Ducks – Ryan McLeod – C – Mississauga Steelheads – OHL (6’2”, 190 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 68 GP – 26 G, 44 A – 70 points

Ryan Getzlaf light? Ryan Getzlaf light. McLeod, the younger brother of Devils prospect Michael McLeod, is a brilliant skater that excels in all aspects of the game and when he has the puck, good luck getting it from. McLeod posses a great shot and can beat goalies from both near and far. You’d be hard pressed to find a more tenacious guy on the puck in this draft. The Ducks will count their lucky stars when they get McLeod at 23rd overall.

24) Minnesota Wild – Jacob Olofsson – C – Timra IK – SHL (6’2”, 192 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 43 GP – 10 G, 11A – 21 points

The Wild get the best rookie from Sweden’s minor league, the Allsvenskan. Olofsson beat out both Filip Hallander and Jonathan Dahlen to claim the Golden Cage award. Olofsson is as good a two-way center prospect as they come; and as the Allsvenskan season went on, he just kept getting better. Olofsson also possess a great shot to go with his exceptional two-way ability. Olofsson could go higher than this on draft day, but if he falls to the Minnesota Wild, they should grab him. Mikko Koivu and Eric Staal aren’t getting any younger so Olofsson would be welcome in the State of Hockey as soon as he’s ready to make the jump.

25 – Toronto Maple Leafs – Jared McIsaac – D – Halifax Mooseheads – QMJHL (6’1”, 194 lbs)

2017-18 Stats – 65 GP – 9 G, 38 A – 47 points

Rock solid. That’s what McIsaac brings on defense. A big, reliable defensemen who the Maple Leafs desperately need in their system. McIsaac is smart in his own zone and doesn’t take many risky chances. He has shown flashes of being more dynamic than he currently is. He can skate extremely well and knows how to make that nice pass to begin a breakout or just take the puck up the ice himself. The Leafs could opt to take a chance on someone like Ryan Merkley or K’Andre Miller here, but with their window now open for a cup run, they stick with a defenseman who they know will be solid in his own end.

26 – New York Rangers (From Boston) – K’Andre Miller – D – USNTDP – USDP (6’5”. 205 lbs)

2017-18 Stats – 58 GP – 9 G, 20 A – 29 points

Speaking of K’Andre Miller, the New York Rangers will take him with the 26th overall selection in the draft. Miller, a converted forward, is one of the swiftest skaters in the draft, and when all is said and done, could end up being the best skating US defenseman in the draft. That’s how intriguing his ceiling is. He is a big kid and as the Rangers rebuild he could be an incremental piece of their new look blueline.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqGbLmjnmP0

27) Chicago Blackhawks (From Nashville) – Dominik Bokk – Vaxjo Lakers HC – SHL  – (6’1”, 179 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 51 GP – 17 G, 28 A – 45 points (Split between SHL, SuperElit, J18 Elit)

The Blackhawks grab a skilled winger from the SHL to play in their top-six forward group when he’s ready. After getting the powerful Bouchard earlier, the Blackhawks get a great value pick down at the end of the first-round with Dominik Bokk. Bokk can beat defenders one-on-one and possesses a shot that opposing goalies need to be aware of. High ceiling, but can he reach it?

28) New York Rangers (From Tampa Bay) – Vitali Kravtsov – RW – Traktor Chelyabinsk – KHL (6’2”, 183 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 35 GP – 4 G, 3 A – 7 points

The Rangers aren’t afraid to take Russian kids. Pavel Buchnevich and Igor Shestyerkin are recent examples of that and with their last pick of the first-round, the Rangers get someone with sky high potential. Kravtsov, according to eliteprospects.com, “can play up and down the lineup and provide scoring in a number of roles,” and “has the potential to develop into a staple top-six forward that can produce at the next level.” Sounds like someone definitely worthy of a late first round pick.

29) St. Louis Blues (From Winnipeg) – Jett Woo – D – Moose Jaw Warriors – OHL (6’0”, 205 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 44 GP – 9 G, 16 A – 25 points

With forward reinforcements coming in the form of Robert Thomas, Klim Kostin and Jordan Kyrou, the Blues decide to get a big, tough defenseman with the 29th pick in the draft. Woo won’t wow anyone with his offensive acumen, but he is as solid as they come and has the size to make the jump to the NHL whenever he is ready. Adding Woo to a blueline that already has standouts in Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko and Jay Bouwmeester makes the Blues an even bigger threat in the coming years.

30) Detroit Red Wings (From Vegas) – Scott Perunovich – D – Minnesota-Duluth – NCAA (5’9”, 195 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 42 GP – 11 G, 25 A – 36 points

The Red Wings already have the powerful Brady Tkachuk and now at the bottom of the first-round they add one of the drafts biggest risers in Scott Perunovich. Perunovich was passed over in last year’s draft but made a huge impression this year on scouts with his superb play for Minnesota-Duluth. Perunovich is a great puck moving defenseman and will be a nice piece as the Red Wings move forward with their rebuild.

31) Washington Capitals – Ryan Merkley – D – Guelph Storm – OHL (5’11”, 170 lbs)

2017-18 Stats: 63 GP – 13 G, 54 A – 67 points

The reigning Stanley Cup champions decide to take one of the biggest gambles in the draft, but one that could pay off in spades. Merkley has top-five level talent. He can move the puck like not many others can, and his offensive capabilities are through the roof. This is a kid that can drive the play and make you pay for your mistakes. The problem scouts have with Merkley is his commitment to the defensive side of the puck, and he needs to keep working on that since, you know, he’s a defenseman. If Merkley puts it all together – watch out. He could be the largest steal of the entire draft.

Adam Boqvist and Oliver Wahlstrom. Two guys who are almost guaranteed to be top-ten picks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft on Friday night in Dallas. There’s been a lot of chatter about where exactly those two may fall within the top-ten, but recent mock drafts have either one or both falling to the ninth spot where they would be ripe for the taking by GM Jeff Gorton and the Rangers. Who would you rather be on the team? Let’s dive in.

Boqvist seemed to be a lock for a top-five spot in this draft. Earlier in the season, draft gurus and analysts had Boqvist going anywhere from third to fifth and being the second defenseman taken after Rasmus Dahlin. He has slipped on most draft boards, mainly due to questions about his size. At 5’11” and 164 pounds, Boqvist isn’t a large defenseman by any means, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be an impact player in the NHL. Just ask Mats Zuccarello and Johnny Gaudreau what they think. Boqvist has an absolutely wicked shot and showed flashes of brilliance in international competition this year.

Boqvist seemed to thrive on the international stage and the kid can skate with the best of them. He has hands that rival those of some top-six forwards and has an extremely high hockey IQ. If he happens to fall to the Rangers at number nine, they would be hard pressed not to take him. With the loss of Ryan McDonagh on the Rangers blueline, Boqvist could be the franchise defenseman that this organization needs going forward. When you look at his stats from last season, Boqvist had 27 points (14G, 13A) in 47 regular season games while bouncing around various leagues in Sweden, and added another 17 points (5G, 12A) while representing his country at different IIHF tournaments in 2017-18.

On the other side of the coin, we have Oliver Wahlstrom. A dynamic, right-handed winger from the US National Development Program. This guy knows how to score goals, and was an internet sensation back in 2011 when he scored a sick goal during a Bruins intermission. He was an absolute force for the USNTDP Under-18 team this past season where he potted 48 goals and had 46 assists for 94 points in 62 games. Having a highly skilled winger like that in the Rangers pipeline would be absolutely amazing for this team going forward. Wahlstrom is described as being a natural goal scorer and a threat to score every time he steps onto the ice. The Rangers could really use a guy like that.

Internationally, Wahlstrom was fantastic at the Under-18 World Junior Championships this past season where he scored nine points in nine games, with seven of those points being goals. He knows how to step up in a big moment and has no problem scoring from the dirty areas in close to the net. He is the complete offensive package and with his elite shot and hockey sense, he would be very hard to pass up at ninth overall.

So which guy at nine? It’s a difficult choice but I think the Rangers would be better off going with Oliver Wahlstrom. After loading up on defensive prospects at the deadline with Libor Hajek, Ryan Lindgren and Yegor Rykov all joining the organization, the Rangers have a nice amount of young defensemen that could soon make an impact. They have no one in the organization like Wahlstrom. A shoot first guy with a deadly shot that will strike fear into opposing defenses.

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I would like to say that I personally do not believe that Zuc should be shipped off during this upcoming entry draft. But, If it were to be him, these are some situations that could arise with his departure from the New York Rangers.

Should he be dealt to move up, or maybe to grab someone of similar caliber with a few more years left on his wheels? These are two interesting situations, and situations that could help bring this team back to playoff potential.

Again, Zuccarello should be a staple for these crucial upcoming years and a leader of this club. But, if push comes to shove and a monumental deal can be made to make the Rangers even better without Zucc, then it should be done.

We, as the Blueshirt Faithful, have seen our fair share of fan favorites being moved. Ryan Callahan, Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan and Marian Gaborik were all favorite players of a lot of Rangers fans in the past few years. They were all moved to different teams and with that, we had to find different players to love. Moving on from “ZUCC” will be hard at first, but we will all move on.

Well….maybe not everyone.

#NYR twitter can get on board with this one…amirite? pic.twitter.com/A5i6k2kLVo

— Forever Blueshirts (@4EverBlueshirts) June 15, 2018

Draft Picks

Moving up from number nine is certainly a possibility with trading Zuccarello and another one of the Rangers nine picks this draft. It may have to take one of the later first round picks or possibly a second rounder to eclipse the top 5.

Getting a Top 5 pick from either Arizona or Ottawa can certainly be arranged for the persistence that Zuccarello shows on the ice. There is a plethora of talent on the wings in this draft with Filip Zadina, Brady Tkachuk, Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C/W) and Oliver Wahlstrom.

Having a chance to acquire one of these elite prospects and growing them for when it’s time to compete for a championship would be worth it.

Younger Proven Talent

Not to say that Zuccarello hasn’t proved himself in his Rangers career, because he certainly has. But it could be beneficial going out and getting someone as good or better, that is a bit younger and can grow with this young group.

Zuccarello will be hitting the age of 31 once the season rolls around in October, as well as entering the final year of his $4.5 million contract. The Rangers could look to find someone who can dish out 30 dimes a season, with less wear on his frame.

The Rangers have a ton of Cap Space with close to $30 Million. The possibilities are endless in terms of selling Zuccarello and acquiring a talent that the Rangers can re-sign later on.

Some players that could be exchanged with Zuccarello could be Alex DeBrincat of Chicago, Mark Stone of Ottawa and Bryan Rust of Pittsburgh. Each of these wingers have great playing ability and are much younger than Zuccarello.

Staying with the Rangers

This team is in a rebuilding phase with a ton of young, inexperienced and uncharted players. There is a select few on this roster at the moment, that can be considered a leader for this group. I dived into that in my last article on the new leadership core under Coach Quinn.

Spoiler alert: Zuccarello is a leader on that list.

He has been the leading scorer over the past three seasons and been key all over the ice. Forecheck, Backcheck and a keen ability to dish the puck is seen nightly from Zucc.

He provides leadership to his younger linemates and teammates, and that is something the Rangers are desperately lacking. Keeping him after this upcoming season and letting him teach the youth for the rebuild is the right move.

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But before Gorton makes his pick, let’s see what the numerous mock drafts have to say on the subject.

NHL.com

NHL.com had writers Adam Kimelman, Mike Morreale and Guillaume Lepage gave their first-round predictions in a joint article on the NHL’s website. Both Kimelman and Morreale have the Rangers choosing Jesperi Kotkaniemi from Finland. At 6’1″ and close to 200 lbs., he has the size to be an intimidating player down the middle. As Morreale notes, Kotkaniemi had 29 points (10G, 19A) with Finnish club Ässät, and added an additional nine points (3G, 6A) while helping Finland capture the gold at the Under-18 World Juniors. Aside from the offensive statistics, Kimelman adds that Kotkaniemi was used both down the middle and on the wing, showing his versatility and high hockey IQ. Oh, and he won’t be 18-years-old until July. This would make for a very good signing with the ability to play all forward positions.

Lepage, on the other hand, chose highly touted defensive prospect Adam Boqvist from Sweden. Boqvist is a highly-skilled right-handed defenseman who can provide a ton of offense from the point. The 17-year-old tallied 24 points (14G, 10A), and five points (3G, 2A) in three playoff games for Brynäs IF in the Swedish Junior League. While that is certainly impressive, he managed just one assist playing for the Brynäs IF senior team, while accruing a plus/minus of -7. The scouting report says Boqvist still has work to do on the defensive end, which is not a great sign for a defenseman, but if he can learn quickly, he can be a staple on the blue line.

At 26, the pick the Rangers got from Boston, Morreale and Lepage have the Rangers taking defenseman Jared McIsaac from the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL. McIsaac looks like a defenseman who can contribute offensively while being responsible in his own zone. As a late first-round pick, McIsaac would certainly be a good choice.

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Kimelman has the Rangers taking Guelph defenseman Ryan Merkley. As you may have noticed the trend, the defenseman has superb offensive skills, notching 73 points (14G, 59A) between the regular season and playoffs. While his skills are certainly there, his draft stock has plummeted due to other issues, as Ryan Kennedy wrote about for The Hockey News. If Merkley can clean up his apparent attitude problem, he will certainly be able to give any team an offensive spark and a power play quarterback.

Finally, with the 28th pick in the first-round, all three NHL.com writers have different ideas for general manager Jeff Gorton. Adam Kimelman has the Blueshirts taking Sampo Ranta from the USHL. Ranta put up 37 points 23G, 14A) this season for Sioux City. Kimelman adds that Ranta will be heading to the University of Wisconsin next season, and that will certainly help him grow as a hockey player.

Ranta’s not huge at 6-01, 192 [pounds] but the Finnish-born wing possesses a hard and heavy shot along with excellent skating skill. He’s slated to attend the University of Wisconsin next year. UW Badgers’ assistant coach Mark Osiecki describes him as a growing ‘power forward who is strong over the puck and has a good hockey IQ.’ His recent development has seen him rise from a previous ‘B’ Central Scouting ranking to his current ‘A’.” –Kevin Wickersham/Dobber Prospects

Mike Morreale has Gorton selecting Akil Thomas from the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs. Thomas is a speedy centerman with high-level scoring ability. Thomas put up 81 points (22G, 59A) and averaged 1.19 points per game. Having a center that can create offense for himself and his linemates is certainly important for any team. Steve Kournianos, otherwise known as The Draft Analyst, gives a deeper scouting report on Thomas.

A thick two-way center with a deadly shot and high compete level who also can play the wing, Thomas led all OHL draft-eligible forwards in scoring with 80 points in 68 games. He is used in all situations, but he is most dangerous on the power play thanks to his keen vision and ability to pump shots through traffic. There a few players in his draft class who offer coaches the kind of versatility Thomas provides — he is used to taking big draws, kill off an important penalty or run the offense from inside the zone during late/close situations.

Thomas has good straight-line speed and average first-step quickness, but he is elusive and agile within tight spaces. Opponents find difficulty in lining up Thomas for a hit because he makes sharp directional changes and anticipates puck movement extremely well. He’s a cerebral player and an excellent stickhandler with soft hands who positions himself properly to exploit mistakes in the neutral zone. Thomas’s zone entries are calculated, meaning he identifies options beyond barreling through or around opponents. He can slow things down or pivot back in order to find trailers or cutters, and releases for the slot area immediately after connecting with a teammate. – The Draft Analyst

Last but not least, Guillaume Lepage says the Rangers should take Benoit-Olivier Groulx from the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. Groulx had 55 points centering Halifax’s top unit and is able to play in all situations. However, his skating ability – or lack thereof – have slid him down the draft boards. If teams are willing to take the forward, they will have work to do with him when it comes to his skating; but other than that, he is a guy with a lot of upsides.

TSN/Sporting News

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Both Craig Button of TSN and Sporting News contributor Steve Kournianos have the Rangers selecting Oliver Wahlstrom from the USNTDP with the ninth overall pick. Button notes Wahlstrom’s “quick release, velocity, and accuracy,” which helped him to 78 points last season; half of which were goals. A right-handed sniper on the wing is something the Rangers can certainly use in their top-six, and Wahlstrom has the ability to be a game-changer with the puck on his stick.

Wahlstrom is a premier two-way power forward with a deadly shot who plays a similar fearless game as that of current Ranger Chris Kreider, albeit a step slower. He’s a powerful skater with agility that is difficult to handle in one-on-one situations, plus he has the vision and passing ability to keep goalies honest. – Sporting News

NBC Sports

Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports thinks that Evan Bouchard will be taken with the ninth overall pick. The London Knights’ captain recorded 87 points (25G, 62A) from the blue line. The consensus is that Bouchard looks like the real deal, and he can be the linchpin of the rebuilding Rangers defense.

Like Mike Morreale above, Haggerty has Akil Thomas going to the Rangers at number 26. Haggerty adds that Thomas is an excellent skater with slick hands and a dangerous shot. “The bottom line on this kid is that he’s a playmaker.”

At number 28, Haggerty shows Jeff Gorton selecting Jack McBain of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. In 52 games – regular season and playoffs – McBain scored 67 points (27G, 40A). McBain is a big kid at 6’3″ and nearly 200 lbs. and seems to have the skills to make it in the NHL. McBain will be heading to Boston College next season, the alma mater of current Rangers Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, and Paul Carey, where he will be able to further develop his talents.

On Wednesday, the Rangers announced that they hired David Quinn as the thirty-fifth coach in New York franchise history.

As many of you know, the 2018 NHL Entry-Draft is less than a month away. The Rangers have been scouting prospects eligible for the 2018 Draft long before the Quinn hire, but will the hiring of David Quinn affect the prospects that the Rangers will ultimately choose in the 2018 NHL Entry-Draft?

Quinn’s Coaching Style

On Thursday, May 24, David Quinn and the Rangers held a press conference where he discussed his coaching style:

• “I like to think that I am fair and demanding. There is no gray area with me with players. They want to get better and held accountable but the message has to be that this is in your best interest, it’s not about me being the big-tough coach, it’s about letting them know that everything we are doing is to make them better players. When a player realizes that and how much you care about them, there is a trust factor that creeps in and that is where success happens.”
• On practicing and player development: “We are going through the stage of figuring out what the roster is going to look like. You want to spend as much time with the individuals as possible, we have systems but the concepts within the systems will be important. Stick positioning, angling, all the hockey terms that you need to do to become a better player whether it’s from a forecheck standpoint, a D-zone standpoint, you need to work on these things daily in practice and practice is important. You gotta come to the rink with a game-like mentality and work on getting better. We are going to do that, be in great shape, our practice will be fast and there will be a lot of attention to detail.”
• “Pressure, puck possession game that is built around defense. Defense isn’t just what goes on in the defensive zone. When there is a change of possession in the offensive zone or neutral zone we want to get the puck back quickly and take away time and space and make people uncomfortable and when we get it we want to possess it. It doesn’t mean we aren’t going to have to chip it behind people at appropriate times but that is not the system we want to play. We want to be hard to play against and fast and physical.”
• In an interview with Al Trautwig: “We want to possess the puck, and when we don’t have it, we want to get it. To me, the defense doesn’t start in the defensive zone, it starts when you don’t have the puck; whether it be from a forecheck, or through the neutral zone. We want to possess the puck and we want to enter the zone with speed. Sometimes you have to dump the puck in, but that certainly won’t be our main goal.”

Now that we know Quinn’s coaching style, let us get back to the topic of this article. Will the hiring of David Quinn affect the prospects that the Rangers will ultimately choose in the 2018 NHL Entry-Draft?

The Rangers have ten draft picks in the upcoming draft. Three in the first round (9, 26, and 28), two in each of the second and third rounds, one fourth, one fifth, and one sixth round pick. This year’s draft class is a deep one, so the Rangers should look to stock up on youth as they head into their “rebuild.”

David Quinn wants his players to be fast, physical, defensively responsible, and have the ability to possess and carry the puck into the zone when needed; so it would be logical to assume that the Rangers would try to pick prospects with those qualities so that they would be a good fit under David Quinn’s system.

There are many players that I think possess the qualities that the Rangers and David Quinn would look for when selecting a prospect.

Quinn Hughes

Ranked ninth by Bob McKenzie and Jeff Marek.

David Quinn should have kept a close eye on Quinn Hughes as he played for Michigan of the NCAA. Hughes is most likely the best skating defenseman in this year’s draft class and controls the puck very well. Hughes can quarterback a power-play and provide offense, which is the standard for defensemen in today’s NHL.

USNTDP U17 coach John Wroblewski said this on Quinn Hughes’ game: “His acceleration and escapability are second to none. He has the best 1-on-1 instincts I’ve ever seen. Through the neutral zone, he darts and slashes, rarely making a poor read on when to join [the attack]. In the offensive zone, he’s like a point guard. He breaks people down and makes them look silly.”

Oliver Wahlstrom

Ranked seventh by Bob McKenzie and Jeff Marek.

Wahlstrom is the epitome of an elite center. He has a fantastic shot, a lot of skill and creativity, and can create plays when he needs to.

USNTDP U18 coach Seth Appert said this on Wahlstrom’s game: “He’s a big, strong, explosive power forward who is a goal scorer. His combination of strength, power, speed and shot as a right shot is unique. He’s a world-class goal scorer. He’s got the one-timer or the snapshot to beat goalies from the perimeter.  He’s adding the ability to drive to the blue paint to score goals to his game.”

Joel Farabee

Ranked twelfth by Jeff Marek and fourteenth by Bob McKenzie.

Farabee is a great all-around player. While he isn’t the fastest skater, he can create offense when he has to. Farabee was a key penalty killer for the United States Development Team and was always very dependable. The Rangers seem to have a thing for drafting reliable players (a la Lias Andersson and Jesper Fast, among others), so I can definitely see Farabee as a fit. Plus, he is committed to Boston University, and David Quinn played an instrumental role in recruiting him.

USNTDP U18 coach Seth Appert said this on Farabee’s game: “He’s a complete player. He creates a ton of offense without any cheat to his game. He’s a 200-foot player. He’s a great penalty killer and dangerous shorthanded. He’s got the skill level to break you down 1-on-1 and make plays through people. He’s the absolute fiercest competitor.”

Brady Tkachuk

Ranked fourth by Bob McKenzie and Jeff Marek.

Brady Tkachuk played under David Quinn at Boston University, so he is a legitimate possibility for the Rangers. Tkachuk is a 6’3″ bulldozer who can bully his way to the net. In my opinion, he was the best possessor of the puck in all of the NCAA this past season. He does not have elite offensive potential, but can most certainly put the puck in the back of the net. His size allows him to create plays, and he is a competitor. Jeff Gorton said it himself that the Rangers are looking for not only talented players but leaders and competitors; Tkachuk fits the bill.

Former Boston University coach, and current Rangers coach David Quinn said this about Tkachuk’s game: “He plays with such an edge. He’s so determined. He’s got good skills, he shoots the puck well. There’s a lot to like about Brady on and off the ice.”

Other Potential Picks

K’Andre Miller

Ranked 33rd by Bob McKenzie.

Miller recently converted from forward to defense and makes up for his defensive mistakes with his speed and physicality. Miller is 6’3″, and 200 pounds, and when he goes into battles in the corner, he almost always emerges with the puck. Plus, I’m sure some Ranger fans want to see the name “Miller” on the back of a Rangers jersey again.

USNTDP U18 coach Seth Appert said this about Miller’s game: “He has the skating ability, the length, and the competitiveness to be a shut-down, mobile, hard defender, but then he has the explosiveness to add offense, as well.”

Logan Hutsko

Ranked forty-second by Corey Pronman.

Hutsko went undrafted in last year’s draft, largely due to injury. However, he was Boston College’s best playmaker this season and was the Hockey East rookie of the year. Hutsko has great vision, and although small, he is very crafty with the puck. He is not an explosive skater, but he is coming off of a major knee injury, so I believe he will recover some of the acceleration he lost due to injury in the near future.

The Rangers already have an idea of who they are going to draft, but this may change with input from David Quinn. I would be thrilled to have any of the prospects mentioned above, although some may be out of reach. Nevertheless, this year’s draft will be exciting, and I look forward to it.

As all serious Rangers fans know, the Rangers received the ninth overall selection in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. And if the Rangers want to make a splash, they may want to look south to make a deal.

https://twitter.com/OneFanView/status/990386886072983553

After finishing eighth from the bottom in the regular season, the Rangers hoped to win the draft lottery and slide into the top three. However, instead of moving up in the order, they slid back one slot. While this was not really unexpected, as the chances of picking ninth were nearly identical to picking eighth, the deflation of the fan base could be felt on Twitter.

While disappointing, if the Rangers stay at number nine, they will get the chance to pick a very high-quality player. There are some very high-end talents that will be available when the Rangers pick including the likes of Oliver Wahlstrom and Quinn Hughes. Any player that the Rangers pick will immediately move toward the top of the Rangers prospect rankings.

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

Anthony touched on why the Hurricanes would be willing to listen to offers so I will not double down on that. Additionally, Anthony touched on what the Hurricanes biggest needs are, a number one center and high-end goaltender. He proposed that the Rangers package the number nine overall pick with Mika Zibanejad for the number two overall pick. This would be of mutual benefit to both teams and the Hurricanes would be very interested in getting a guy who can snipe like this.

While this has the makings of a deal, I believe there are a few other options that could also get the deal done without trading our number one center.

ZUCC TO CAROLINA

As Anthony mentioned, the Hurricanes need a number one center and a goalie. As a team that seems to be on the verge of being competitive, the Hurricanes need to add a few pieces to be truly competitive. Specifically, the Hurricanes need scoring. Carolina’s defense is young, talented, and deep but they aren’t able to put enough pucks in the net. Enter the Rangers. Mats Zuccarello is on the last year of his contract but has shown no signs of slowing down. A perennial 55-60 point scorer, Zuccarello would be a great addition to the Hurricanes top-six.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–QM91BBEWM]

This, along with the number nine selection, would not be enough to get it done. In addition to Zibanejad, the Rangers have Kevin Hayes, Vladislav Namestikov, Ryan Spooner, Filip Chytil, Lias Anderson, and Brett Howden at the center position. Packaging one of Spooner, Hayes, or Namestikov with Zuccarello and the ninth overall could get the deal done if the Hurricanes want to compete this year.

HEIR TO THE THRONE…IN CAROLINA?

If the Hurricanes feel like they are more than a year or two from contention, they may be looking for prospects and picks as opposed to roster players. Following the Hurricanes needs of a center and goalie, the Rangers still have great organizational depth at both positions. This year, the Rangers have three first-round picks, two second-round picks, and two third-round picks. Additionally, the Rangers center and goalie depth are very good. Although Igor Shestyorkin is considered to be the heir apparent to Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers have a few years left of Lundqvist before they need to replace him.

Additionally, Shestyorkin, while very talented, is unproven in North America and goalies are notoriously hard to predict. Packaging Shestyorkin with the ninth overall, one of Hayes, Namestikov, Spooner, and a Rangers second-round pick would be enough to get into the conversation.

WISHFUL THINKING?

While the deals mentioned above may not be quite enough to snatch the second overall pick, and I may be somewhat biased, they do get the Rangers into a serious conversation with the Hurricanes. The Rangers organizational depth and the organizational needs of the Hurricanes match up very well. If the Hurricanes are looking to make a deal, the Rangers are automatically on the short list of teams that will be considered. They are in the ideal 5-10 range that Anthony mentions and have assets that the Hurricanes could be interested in. Maybe, just maybe, the Rangers can pull off a deal and get that elite talent they so desperately need.