Rangers Stuff

The Hurricanes have been eliminated. So the Rangers will recieve their first round  pick which will fall anywhere for 20-24 depending on other outcomes. Getting pick 20 would be great and make a move up for a targeted player like Wisconsin's C Dylan Holloway all the easier, especially if he's falling. That said, there should be interesting C's and snipers available in the 20-24 neighborhood if they decide to stay put. They could also, and I think this is pretty likely, trade that second first rounder in a Trouba like deal for either a star Center to upgrade that position group and facilitate the talents of Kakko and Lafreniere, or a left handed D that they can pair with Trouba. Trouba seemed really inconsistent this year and a big part of that was not having an equal partner on the other side.

Btw, any C or goal scoring sniper the Rangers would pick in that 20-24 range would probably need a year or two in the minors, college or overseas - which is fine and what they should be doing with late first rounders and late rounders.  For example, they have 2 third rounders and it would make a lot of sense to pick 2 prep, junior or foreign defenenseman they can stash in college, the minors or overseas while they're growing.

A few months ago, the Athletic published an article which cited research that teams are more likely to get get offensive stars in round 1, while they can, generally find good NHL defensemen in rounds 2 and 3.  So, the Rangers should always swing for the fences in round one and look for D's in rounds 2 and later.  So far, they don't have any 2's this year so, they should think about spending both 3's on D as it's far more likely to find defensive value than a future offensive star in those middle rounds.