Rangers parlay their one in eight chance in the lottery to winning the first overall pick, which should mean Alexis Lafrenière. Joining New York in the lottery to see which ping-pong balls were drawn would was Edmonton, Florida, Minnesota, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Winnipeg. For the first time in the post-expansion era, the Rangers won the first overall pick. This comes on the heels of the team moving up to #2 last season and selecting Kappo Kakko. While I am ecstatic New York won the lottery, I still think the teams not in the play-in round should have been the first seven picks in the draft, as I have said all along.
Toronto came thatclose to winning the lottery:
The Blueshirts ended up with the best of both worlds - playoff experience for the kids and a spot in the lottery, which fortunately became the first overall pick. A few days of disappointment after getting dominated by Carolina has faded thanks to the gift the team has received. This was the hope and a pipe dream when the play-in round was announced, which now has become reality.
As I wrote in my prior blog,
Vince Mercogliano gave a nice quick snapshot view of Lafrenière"
The 18-year-old Canadian forward lit it up for Rimouski Oceanic this season, leading the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 112 points (35 goals and 77 assists) in 52 games. Lafrenière, a 6-foot-1, 192-pound left winger, also had 10 points (four goals and six assists) in five games for the gold-winning Canadian team in the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
He's noted for his playmaking ability — no surprise considering his lofty stat totals — with strong hockey IQ, skating ability and a highly competitive attitude. Those skills, coupled with his size and willingness to use his physicality, lead scouts to believe he can step into a middle-six role right away. Although, as with most young prospects, he'll have to prove he can hold up defensively.
The Rangers also have a second pick in the draft, which is Carolina's and slots anywhere from 20 to 31, depending on the playoffs. In addition, the team also has picks 75, 84, 106, 137, 168, 199, 203 and 204. Don't be shocked if the Rangers package a pick or two to move up into the second round or in combination with a player to possibly acquire a second-line center.
New York announced the rebuild in February 2018. Since then, the team acquired several first round picks and players, moving the rebuild into a retool. Names such as Panarin, Kakko, Filip Chytil (drafted in 2017), Vitali Kravtsov, Morgan Barron, Jacob Trouba (via trade), Adam Fox (via trade), K'Andre Miller, Nils Lundqkist, Karl Hendriksson and Julien Gauthier (via trade) have all come on board since the rebuild was announced. Versus Carolina, we saw that the team needed more depth up front, which should be provided by Lafrienere, who adds to the talent on the wing.You look at Chris Kreider, Artemiy Panarin and Lafrienere on lines 1-3 and that's enviable talent on the that side of the ledger.
The Rangers right now have Pavel Buchnevich and Kakko on the right side. It's possible Chytil is moved to wing, which aids in the depth there. A hole exists at the second center, and maybe third center, depending on what happens with Ryan Strome and if Chytil is moved. Winning the first overall pick could change how New York deploys Chytil. Plus, while we all believe Lafrenière is and should be the first pick, Quinton Byfield still could be in the mix for that selection, as well as possibly moving that pick for a package of picks or a player.
Could Anthony DeAngelo be moved for a second line center? What about Buchnevich as part of a package? Will New York be even more likely to buy out Henrik Lundqvist, Marc Staal or Brendan Smith knowing a potential star winger on an ELC is now coming from the draft? How much has the pressure rinse on coach David Quinn? President John Davidson and GM Jeff Gorton have major decisions to make to get this team to the next level and quicker than expected just a day ago.
A happy day in Rangers land!!!
More to come.
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