The Rangers should be picking in the 17-22 range which means that they'll miss out on the can't miss players for sure (Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, MSP) and the 2nd tier of High Ceiling players (Schenn, Kane, Schroeder, Kadri) but the first round (first two rounds really) are so deep that if the Rangers play their cards right they should end up with a solid player or two or perhaps with a little bit of luck (or if they trade up), they can land a big time talent.
Here are a few guys I'd really like the Rangers to take a hard look at.
1. Scott Glennie - C/LW Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Pros: Sky high goal scoring potential and excellent wheels. Plays the game at a high octane level. His top gear is pretty much unmatched in this draft. Doesn't have a great frame (Listed 6'1" 174) but he should be able to fill out and play at 6'1" 190-195. The Rangers don't have many blue chip scoring prospects in their system (ok, they have one) so adding Glennie would be a major coup. Major weapon on the Penalty Kill.
Cons: His abrasive style may lead to injury problems in the NHL. He plays with the same intensity of Ovechkin and isn't nearly as big as Ovy is. Hes not a one dimensional player by any means but he isn't as strong in his own end as most of his peers are. He plays on a line with Brayden Schenn, so the question is there if he can produce on his own.
Outlook: I've seen him projected to go anywhere from the top 10 to out of the first round. If he falls past the top 12 I'd be happy with trading up to land him. Glennie has first line all star written all over him.
2. Zack Kassian - RW Peterborough Petes (OHL)Pros: Hes already a big dude who is going to get bigger (6'3" 205 and plays like hes even bigger than that.) He plays with max effort and plays a very mean, tough game to go along with very good hands for a guy his size. Scouts have called him Milan Lucic with more skill (Think Corey Perry.) Sign me up for that.
Cons: As is the case with most guys who play his type of game, He isn't a very good skater and will need to improve on that to make the jump to the NHL. Hes a guy who will play two years in the OHL after being drafted so he isn't an instant impact type of player.
Outlook: Kassian is a personal favorite of mine. Over the past few drafts we've heard guys like Kyle Okposo and James Van Riemsdyk be refered to as power forwards due to their size when they're both pretty soft players. Kassian is a legit power forward prospect who has shown a very nice jump in his offensive numbers and a willingness to get better. Should be availavle where the Rangers select but he's also a guy a team might go off the board to select.
3. Jeremy Morin - C USNTDP (NAHL) -Pros: Great scorer. Playing at almost a point a game pace against players who are much bigger, stronger. Leading his team in points. A guy who is a major threat on the PP.
Cons: Has been been sliding down the rankings for a few months now. Probably because he isn't dominating at the level he is playing at but again, its against older kids.
outlook: Morin at anything past the 20th pick is a steal in my opinion. This New York native has the potential to be the steal of the draft. It wasn't long ago that he was projected to be a top 10 pick.
4. Landon Ferraro - RW Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Pros: Great speed and goal scoring ability. Excellent blood lines (Son of Ray Ferraro) and is putting up killer goal totals for an awful team, Ferraro has scored 22% of this teams goals this year. His numbers would be even better if he had more talented players around him but the fact that he is producing as well as he is with less than talented players is a great sign. Plays much bigger than he really is. Plays in a strict defensive system which also might hinder his goal totals a bit.
Cons: 5'11" 165 is pretty slight, even for the "new" NHL. Isn't much of a playmaker so that really limits his potential to be an all around offensive threat.
Outlook: Mid/late to late first round selection. Hes a guy I'd take if the other three are already off the board. Theres a chance that he might even slip into the 2nd round but you can bet that he'll be picked before the Rangers pick again.
5. Peter Holland - C/LW Guelph Storm (OHL)Pros: Great size and is learning how to plays like he has it. Has the projectable frame that should allow him to play at 6'2 200-205 pounds. Owns a very hard, accurate shot and a sound defensive game.
Cons: Isn't as physical as you'd like him to be. His effort has been called into question at times on the ice but he is a guy who likes to study the game off the ice so that doesn't make a ton of sense. His offensive upside isn't as high as other players in this draft.
Outlook: Id love to find a way to land this guy in round 2 but hes most likely a late first round, early 2nd round selection. He is a guy who won't make his NHL Debut for 3 or 4 years after the draft and even this his upside seems a bit limited but if he puts it together he can be a force.
