Rangers Draft Review

Today the Rangers wrapped up their 2010 draft. At first, it shocked me, but after research it's really rather similar to their 2008 and 2009 drafts. Something really changed in their prospecting process in 2008, and I think it was the elevation of Gordie Clark from scout to Director, Player Personnel and the people he's brought with him. Once again, they went for a mix of scoring, character and heart. Readers of the blog know I used the term "ringers" for players that the team will take based on special knowledge of those players. They took a few in this draft and we'll get into it.

In the first, the Rangers shocked the world and took Dylan McIlRath. At first blush seemed tremoundously out of character for Clark and crew who had spent previous ones on skillsy teens like MDZ and Kreider, but the info that has come out since the pick, shows that he fit their pattern and was their guy for good reason. This was a red chip draft, and they took not only the toughest kid in this draft, but a kid who has been improving by leaps and bounds. Smart teams go for the red chippers who show no signs of being maxed out, and Dylan is far from that. It turns out he's a bright and selfpossessed kid with hockey smarts, a huge heart, high character and rapidly improving skills. It's been learned that teams were trying to trade up to get a shot at him, so he wasn't exactly the Rangers little secret. Other NHL teams put the same value on him and it will be fun to watch him develop.


In the second, the Rangers took a ringer. Christian Thomas is only 5'9" but he was a point a game player for a team with very few decent players, so he was also a marked man. He plays hard, he's very fast, he gets loose pucks, and has a laser shot. He fell because of his size, but the Rangers had special knowledge. Adam Graves happens to be part of the ownership group for Christian's junior team. He's the son of Stumpy Thomas, so they know the height won't be a problem for the kid, either, and they know the kid very, very well. In interviews, he seemed quieter than Dylan, but he did admit that he likes to score.


The Rangers had no third and were unable to pick up an extra one because of last year's disaster Boyle deal.


In the fourth, the Rangers took Andrew Yogan, a good sized C at 6'3" who was originally expected to go in the second. Apparently he fell on consistency concerns, though some of those may have been injury related. He still managed to collect 55 points in 63 games and the Rangers think if the consistency comes, he'll eventually be a top six forward for them. Great value in the 4th. Though the player isn't reminiscent, getting him at pick 100 was reminiscent of getting Grachev at 75 two years ago.


In the fifth, they took a late bloomer named Jason Wilson, who gives them more size at 6'2 and 205 and is a former teammate of Michael Del Zotto. He's already 20 but showed a lot of the character and qualities that have made Dale Weise such a nice surprise for the Rangers. Another value pick.


In the sixth, the Rangers took Jesper Fasth, who may be another ringer. Clark compared Fasth with Christian in that he is a speedy, undersized scorer. Kid scored 48 points in 37 games. His size doesn't seem to bother him. And apparently it was former Ranger Anders Hedberg who delivered the special info. Fasth was gotten with the first pick received for Bobby Sanguinetti. The Rangers original 6th rounder was traded for Finish defender Jyri Niemi a few weeks before the draft. Niemi and Fasth will both be at the Prospect Camp that starts Monday.


With their 7th and final pick, the Rangers took 6'5" 225 pound, bruising forward Randy McNaught. McNaught was another late bloomer in the eyes of the organization, and, like McIlRath he was one of the best fighters in the WHL. Destined for the checking line, McNaught and McIlRath add a whole lot of toughness to this year's class.


It seems like a pretty good class and we'll get the first look at them on skates at this week's prospect which will feature all of this year's class, as well as last year's class, plus Niemi, some other minor leaguers and some undrafted invitees.

It almost seems like Gordie and the scouts are casting a whole new core for the Rangers. Let's keep an eye on this situation.