Greg’s Draft Special: New York Rangers Draft Needs

With the New York Rangers picking at the 20^th spot in this year’s draft, one will not get as excited as if it was a top ten draft.

But there may still be some players available that the Rangers may want to take. Listed below are possible choices the Rangers will take provided that they’re still available along with their scouting reports.

Needs: The Rangers right now aren’t in need of any specific position more then the other, with the exception of goaltending, which they need none of. They should definitely try to land a speedy winger but a top priority would be a tough as nails defenseman. But once again, their position isn’t great so they’ll have to look deep. But as an article of mine coming out next Saturday, on draft day, says that you will see that sometimes the best players are late round picks.

1. Colton Teubert: Defenseman, Regina (WHL)

Scouts say he is a tough as nails defenseman in the likes of Adam Foote which makes him a top priority for the Rangers. TSN ranked him to be a top 7 early this season and then again as a top 10 just weeks ago. But, because he has problems carrying the puck, teams may not want to take him with a high pick. But the Rangers should go after him so they get the guaranteed toughness and with their excellent coaching staff in the minors (mainly Jim Schoenfeld) they can work on his puck carrying abilities.

2. Tyler Cuma, Defenseman, Ottawa (OHL)

If there is one defenseman who’s both good at offense and defense that may slip down to the twentieth pick it’s this guy. He’s a very solid player but won’t be a high pick because there’s nothing amazing that stands out on him. But to be a good defenseman, you don’t need to be amazing, just consistent and this kid has the composure to be that steady blue liner the Rangers need.

With the Rangers not having a great pick and there being an abundance of average talent for the lower half of the drafting pool, these are the only two players that stand out to me and the only two players the Rangers should try to pick. Also, as the draft gets deeper, look for the fourth Staal brother, Jared.

You can be sure the Penguins, Hurricanes and Rangers will be in hot pursuit but the Rangers may want to take him earlier if not because their farm system is already stacked but to possibly entice Eric Staal into signing on Broadway when he becomes a free agent next year.