Which is why nearly 2/3 of the league passed on him?

I'm kidding, but this is a good pick. I would've been fine with the Penguins taking him at 14.
- SuperHenderson13

You happy with Yager there?

Bergeron 2.0. Patrice was never fast I don’t believe. I know it’s a concern but I’ve heard alot about this kid, and he’s a can’t miss. I’m serious I had some time to research being laid up for a week or so. I’m stunned he landed so far out of the bleachers ffs, in our lap. Grand slam pick.
- Slimtj100

I don’t think he’s a can’t miss. Let’s hope he works out though

You happy with Yager there?
- airjan23

I was kind of indifferent. A lot of us were hoping Benson would fall one more pick to us.

However, the more I read about him, the more Im okay with it. I have a ton of confidence in Dubas plus I liked the Smith trade earlier, so Ill give him the benefit of the doubt. He was considered a top 10 prospect much of the year. His production just dipped this season versus expectations. He does a lot of good things, but like our other top prospect, he really needs to bulk up.

A lot of debate surrounding our 1st pick was more about whether we should draft someone knowing they likely wont help Crosby/Malkin/Letang or if we should be trading it and investing in the team now.

I was kind of indifferent. A lot of us were hoping Benson would fall one more pick to us.

However, the more I read about him, the more Im okay with it. I have a ton of confidence in Dubas plus I liked the Smith trade earlier, so Ill give him the benefit of the doubt. He was considered a top 10 prospect much of the year. His production just dipped this season versus expectations. He does a lot of good things, but like our other top prospect, he really needs to bulk up.

A lot of debate surrounding our 1st pick was more about whether we should draft someone knowing they likely wont help Crosby/Malkin/Letang or if we should be trading it and investing in the team now.
- SuperHenderson13

I thought you guys would take Moore but the Pens need to start building the center prospect pool for the inevitable.

Perreault is essentially a better Brindley.

I thought you guys would take Moore but the Pens need to start building the center prospect pool for the inevitable.
- aecliptic

Moore is a center, no?

Moore is a center, no?
- picklerick

He is, thats why I thought they would grab him but chose to go with Yager instead who is also a center.

Wonder if Chicago takes Cristall with the first pick of the second round?
- airjan23

Ducks have the first pick of the 2nd round…

Ducks, Jackets, Hawks

I really want the Rangers to trade their 2024 1st round pick for picks in the second round, assuming they can get David Edstrom.

I thought you guys would take Moore but the Pens need to start building the center prospect pool for the inevitable.
- aecliptic

Yea, I tend to lean more in the camp of keep investing in the roster for the next 2-3 years because Sid, Geno, and Letang have taken less money throughout their careers to win. The least you can do is give them everything they need to make one last run. Plus when they retire, i want it to be ugly. We sell every player with a bit of trade value and we roll out AHL caliber lineups to get some top 3 picks again. The cap on #1 picks (thanks to you guys ) means we cant rebuild quickly, It will take time

Yea, I tend to lean more in the camp of keep investing in the roster for the next 2-3 years because Sid, Geno, and Letang have taken less money throughout their careers to win. The least you can do is give them everything they need to make one last run. Plus when they retire, i want it to be ugly. We sell every player with a bit of trade value and we roll out AHL caliber lineups to get some top 3 picks again. The cap on #1 picks (thanks to you guys ) means we cant rebuild quickly, It will take time
- SuperHenderson13

You guys are like 5 years away atleast from a full tank mode. But theres no reason to not fatten the prospect pool in the mean time.

I don’t think he’s a can’t miss. Let’s hope he works out though
- nyrangers9479

ason Bukala - Sportsnet - May 5th: "Fantastic puck touch and deception in tight quarters. Creative player. Easy to identify his upside as an NHL prospect: Top two/leaning top line NHL forward who will have massive impact on the PP. Skating has room to improve, but his mechanics are not poor

We’ll see. On paper this a massive steal imo. I bet he’s better than Laf, and I think they’ll be linemates eventually

Projecting well into the future:

Laf - Chytil - Perrault
Othmann - Barker?- Kakko
Cuyyle- Korczak?- Sykora

I wonder if the pick had anything to do with Laf being French Canadian. I mean I see them as linemates eventually

Wings look great, centers I guess we’re still a bit light on

You guys are like 5 years away atleast from a full tank mode. But theres no reason to not fatten the prospect pool in the mean time.
- aecliptic

No doubt, if you can add a good prospect to your system, do it. But I think a lot of teams overvalue 1st round picks. The odds of a player in the middle to late 1st round actually becoming an impactful NHLer are low. I'd rather take that pick, trade it for a younger NHL player who is currently under contract.

Our prospect is mainly two guys, both of them way are underweight.


I'd say you're right, 5 years seems right. That will increase though when Dubas delivers us Auston Matthews next summer.

ason Bukala - Sportsnet - May 5th: "Fantastic puck touch and deception in tight quarters. Creative player. Easy to identify his upside as an NHL prospect: Top two/leaning top line NHL forward who will have massive impact on the PP. Skating has room to improve, but his mechanics are not poor

We’ll see. On paper this a massive steal imo. I bet he’s better than Laf, and I think they’ll be linemates eventually

Projecting well into the future:

Laf - Chytil - Perrault
Othmann - Barker?- Kakko
Cuyyle- Korczak?- Sykora

I wonder if the pick had anything to do with Laf being French Canadian. I mean I see them as linemates eventually

Wings look great, centers I guess we’re still a bit light on
- Slimtj100

The center thing concerns me. Thats why I want the Rangers to make a move to get the chance go draft Edstrom. Even better if we can get Edstrom and Nelson. Flip that 2024 1st into multiple 2nds this year.

Edit: Didnt realize Knights took Edstrom, bummer.

No doubt, if you can add a good prospect to your system, do it. But I think a lot of teams overvalue 1st round picks. The odds of a player in the middle to late 1st round actually becoming an impactful NHLer are low. I'd rather take that pick, trade it for a younger NHL player who is currently under contract.

Our prospect is mainly two guys, both of them way are underweight.


I'd say you're right, 5 years seems right. That will increase though when Dubas delivers us Auston Matthews next summer.
- SuperHenderson13

Is the cap going up by 10mil?

The center thing concerns me. Thats why I want the Rangers to make a move to get the chance go draft Edstrom. Even better if we can get Edstrom and Nelson. Flip that 2024 1st into multiple 2nds this year.
- aecliptic

I’d do that if they’d throw in a b prospect at center. You think Detroit would do that? Get a second this year and Micheal Rasmussen, for a protected first next year? That’s the kind of guy we should target for the 4th line, meaning not a has-been. Someone who grow into a 3C

I’d do that if they’d throw in a b prospect at center. You think Detroit would do that? Get a second this year and Micheal Rasmussen, for a protected first next year? That’s the kind of guy we should target for the 4th line, meaning not a has-been. Someone who grow into a 3C
- Slimtj100

I think Detroit kicks their feet up and sips their wine with 3 consecutive early picks in the second round. The only thing I could see them doing is packaging 2024 1st and a second this year for Debrincat.

I think Detroit kicks their feet up and sips their wine with 3 consecutive early picks in the second round. The only thing I could see them doing is packaging 2024 1st and a second this year for Debrincat.
- aecliptic

I saw Rasmussen in a rumor as being available. Only reason I brought him up. But that’s the kind of player I’d go after. A bit under the radar, but a corp bottom 6 guy. It’s not going to cost an arm and leg for this particular guy either

Side note, you think they’ll sign Kane? More I think of it I think they may. Just place him on LTIR til the playoffs. Give him 2 years 7 mill or something. He’d take 3.5 to sit on his ass and recover all season I’ll tell you that. Essentially Rangers get two playoff runs and one full season for 7 million bucks.

Unfinished business to the ire of many

I saw Rasmussen in a rumor as being available. Only reason I brought him up. But that’s the kind of player I’d go after. A bit under the radar, but a corp bottom 6 guy. It’s not going to cost an arm and leg for this particular guy either

Side note, you think they’ll sign Kane? More I think of it I think they may. Just place him on LTIR til the playoffs. Give him 2 years 7 mill or something. He’d take 3.5 to sit on his ass and recover all season I’ll tell you that. Essentially Rangers get two playoff runs and one full season for 7 million bucks.

Unfinished business to the ire of many
- Slimtj100

Im hardcore about how important the bottom 6 are to having a successful playoff run. I dont think theres been a Cup winner that didnt have a bottom 6 that played an important roll in their win. For example, the Pens had Hagelin, Bonino, Kessel? Was that the line? On paper, total Frankenstein line but it worked, it worked really well. Thats why Goodrow is somewhat bittersweet, hes exactly the kind of player you need, but the contract is just ridiculous.

I could totally see the Rangers pulling a Kucherov with Kane. After what the Rangers went through to get him and Kane basically saying Rangers or bust. They owe it to each other to make it right.

Ducks have the first pick of the 2nd round…

Ducks, Jackets, Hawks
- aecliptic

Yeah, that should have said their first round pick not the first round pick. Curious to see who goes 1-2 in the round. Ducks and Jackets could go wing while Blackhawks might go with a center

I like the pick a lot, I like that he'll be taking the Kreider route to BC

Bob McKenzie is a dinosaur these days but he had him ranked 10th

if Patrick Bacon likes him he must be good!

I like the pick a lot, I like that he'll be taking the Kreider route to BC

Bob McKenzie is a dinosaur these days but he had him ranked 10th

if Patrick Bacon likes him he must be good!
- jimbro83

@ByronMBader
I did not expect Gabe Perreault to last until pick 23rd overall.

One of the highest equivalencies in the draft (we don't often see equivalencies this high).

Rangers making away like bandits here!

skating deficiencies can be addressed with a skating coach. probably wasnt a priority given how effective he was at prior levels. Id say in 2 years while he grows 1 more inch and adds 20 lbs to his body, he will be ready for the NHL. playing against full grown adults in college will help him as well. that's where he will get some help on his skating.

@ByronMBader
I did not expect Gabe Perreault to last until pick 23rd overall.

One of the highest equivalencies in the draft (we don't often see equivalencies this high).

Rangers making away like bandits here!

- tomburton99

Patrick Bacon declaring Brennan Othmann will never play a shift in the NHL has made this even more fun.

I may even have to find a way to get on twitter again when Othmann pans out just to personally shred the guy

Jan, great analysis as usual. I think all the issues that have been talked about are all fixable. Get into the weight room and add some pounds. Skating coach a must. I don’t recall the rangers still having a skating coach, but they need one down in the ahl to work with the prospects and a few of the players up with the club.