This is pretty impressive
Kakko, who turned 18 in February, had one of the most productive seasons for a draft-eligible player in recording 22 goals and 38 points in 45 games for TPS Turku. He is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound left shooter who combines high-end skill with a physical mentality. - blueshirts_fan
I know. Neil Smith always hated trading Amonte, Keenan kinda forced him I believe. That was the all in years of all in years, truly a Stanley Cup or bust - Slimtj100
They definitely got the right pieces back. But those trades really make you think about what could have been if they stuck around. Gartner too.
No I'm saying he's going to better than Laine. But he had a better u18 year than Laine had during their respective draft years. - tomburton99
Looking at other guys for the later picks, I really like lavoie, Harley, Kaliyev and Caufield. Caufield is probably a pipe dream based on what people have been saying
Looking at other guys for the later picks, I really like lavoie, Harley, Kaliyev and Caufield. Caufield is probably a pipe dream based on what people have been saying - Slimtj100
He's probably gonna be a top 15 pick. Harley was ranked in the 40's in December. He's now ranked in the 20's. Having a nice season in Mississauga. Knock on Kaliyev is that he has no intrest in the game otuside the offensive zone. But holy poop does he know how to score.
Location: Part of NJ where its Taylor Ham not pork roll Joined: 05.19.2017
Apr 10 @ 12:43 AM ET
Looking at other guys for the later picks, I really like lavoie, Harley, Kaliyev and Caufield. Caufield is probably a pipe dream based on what people have been saying - Slimtj100
Now that we have secured a premium pick, I expect Gorton to deal picks/players to move up to another top 15 spot. Quality over quantity.
Players like Kreider, Vesey, Namestikov, Strome should all be available. This is going to be an interesting off-season...
Now that we have secured a premium pick, I expect Gorton to deal picks/players to move up to another top 15 spot. Quality over quantity.
Players like Kreider, Vesey, Namestikov, Strome should all be available. This is going to be an interesting off-season... - TommyGTrain
Even though they would be selling high now on Strome, I would prefer the Rangers retain him based on his potential, offensive contributions, two way play, and multi game roles he has proven he can be part of since coming here in exchange for Spooner. I could see them shopping Namestnikov and Vesey, along with possibly Kreider coming into his contract year, now that they have moved up to the #2 selection to land either Kakko or Hughes.
However, with the possibility of some of their Russian youth coming over, either Kreider or Namestnikov can help ease their way to becoming accustomed to the English language and preparing for life in North America. But this will indeed be thee most interesting of Rangers off seasons we have seen for quite some time.
It was hard to believe nor expect that things would fall our way as they did "sort of" perfectly, if not precisely 100%, in moving up 4 spots to garner the overall #2 pick selection. Outside of making that first choice, things really did work out to perfection in knowing that one of Kakko or Hughes will officially become a Ranger in under 3 months. That happy surprise also in contrast to both Colorado (via Ottawa) and L.A. each falling 3 spots out of the top 3, along with Detroit and Buffalo each dropping 2 spots from 4 and 5 respectively.
Among the two big name UFA's mentioned, signing Panarin even at $11M annually long term must be off season goal #1 to accelerate the rebuild quicker, in bringing in the best available to make up for some of those 1 goal losses sustained this past season. I would stay away from paying Karlsson likely even higher, due to his past seasons' foot injuries history with Ottawa, along with other injuries which sidelined him for 29 Sharks games this season. More critically, despite his career offensive contributions, he is not going to improve the back line defensively where the need is even greater, due to the in zone domination by the opposition in the vast majority of games against Hank and Georgiev.
Seriously though, I'm happy for you folks. Keeps both guys outta the Atlantic, and to two teams that are genuinely rebuilding and not trying to (frank) the system.
I know someone probably already had mentioned it in a previous page, but if we get another 1st, do we try to get a second top 10 pick now? - 2sticks1puck
what's crazy is that I have spent a lot of time lately analyzing the projected guys going from 5-10 and the Rangers more than likely will never have a crack at them
if we somehow gets both these first rounders from Dallas and Tampa, and the Winnipeg pick goes up to 20 or so, along with the 2nd overall pick, oh lord, draft day is the best day in NYR history other than 6/14/94
the sky is the limit what they could attempt to do with all that draft currency
no team has ever had 9 first round picks in a 3 year span
I like it better than if the Rangers were first and Devils second
if the Rangers had won it, then it would have been a debate over Team Hughes or Team Kakko for 2 months, and there would have been a LOT of Team Kakko
not having to choose between the two is a gift, Rangers will never be second guessed - jimbro83
Sure you will. In 2017, when the Flyers won 2nd overall, the consensus top-2 (by about 95+% of hockey analysts) were Hischier and Patrick, and the Flyers chose Patrick after the Devils took Hischier.
Fast forward a whole 22 months, and people are now wondering why the Flyers didn't look into their crystal ball and select Elias Pettersson. There will always be a portion of the fan base that will question everything they do and use revisionist history to paint the worst possible picture. Hell, there are members of the Flyers' fan base who actually blame them for passing on guys like Jamie Benn and, more recently, Jake Guentzel and Anthony Duclair.
