Short of winning the Cup, the most exciting thing we can do in June is draft Brännström.
The Finns have some very good players. Tolvanen, Heiskanen, Jokiharju, Luukkonen, Salo, Vaakanainen, Vesalainen, Valimaki, Rasanen and Ikonen all individually might be in people's top 31. Will all 10 probably be first rounders? Very unlikely, but I wouldn't be surprised if 5 or 6 are, and no less than four, I'd think. I think the Swedes will definitely have at least four, and like the Finns, could have as many as seven. Liljegren, Brannstrom, Pettersson, Andersson, Boqvist, Elvenes, Davidsson.
This is an extremely weak year for North Americans, and the Russian prospects aren't so strong either. Not inconceivable that a lot of first rounders this year could come from Finland and Sweden, despite WJC results. And I'm not saying all those Finns are going to end up anywhere near as good as Laine or Puljujarvi, there might not be many players at all who end up as good as Puljujarvi, and there might be no players as good as Laine.
Mac- I think the Ian Mitchell kid might be interesting. Think the mid range in the first in this draft is pretty interesting. Agree about the LD position, not saying I would pass on Brannstrom if he was there (he won't), but I think we will get an interesting forward.
But I would stay away from the Finns. Struggled to beat Slovakia, they are not even that good. Some people have EIGHT finns in the 1st lol. I don't think Sweden and Finland TOGETHER have had eight picks one year in the first. 6 is Sweden's record all time, and that was an incredible year for Sweden. The Finns came close the being demoted from the WJCs and aren't even great at the U18 level and is supposed to have a ton of guys in at least the top 45. Complete hubris from Laine and Pulju.
People have thrown very high picks into Finland the last years. What Finns are doing well in the NHL? It's those three, Laine, Aho and Pulju. Everyone else is meh at best in perspective. Even a kid like Barkov have yet to reach 60 pts. Teravainen. Granlund. Niskanen. Finland have what 2-3 Ds playing regularly in the entire NHL. 4-5?
Even if he is there, I just can't see them drafting another LD. We need future depth down the middle and at RD. Guys like Josh Norris, Bowers, Poehling, Jokiharju, etc., all just seem like what they'd be looking for.
Especially a guy like Josh Norris: ppg in the USHL, U Michigan commit. Screams Rangers pick to me.
Edit: I should add that I want Brannstrom. I'd love to draft him, but I just can't see them picking another LD.
Bereglazov's season ended today. If we land him, when can we expect the announcement? Days, weeks, months?
I'd think weeks, although days are a possibility. I doubt months. Usually these UDFA's from Europe sign in April or May not June, July, August or September.
Will Butcher and Harvard forward Alex Kerfoot are the two unsigned draft picks who have generated the most interest.
Butcher is listed at 5'10" and 190 pounds. He has played on numerous USA WJC teams, ages 17, 18 and 20. He is a proficient scorer. He was drafted in the 5th round in 2013 by Colorado who reportedly told him last summer they were not interested. I saw somewhere where Joe Sakic said Colorado would offer him a contract this year and Butcher said he would think about it. So he could decide to wait until August 15 to become a UFA.
Since the Rangers already have signed left handed defenseman Vince Pedri and reportedly are going to sign Alexei Bereglazov and are in the running for Swedish left handed defenseman Andreas Borgmann and the Rangers already have left handed defensemen Ryan Graves and Sean Day in the system I am not sure the Rangers would see Butcher as a priority unless one of the foreign guys doesn't sign.
Kerfoot is a Devils prospect but is from western Canada and their is some feeling he may want to go UFA to return home.
If situation in draft board when Rangers make their 1st pick is Vaakanainen, Ikonen and Vesalainen are all available for Rangers who you'll choose and why?
If situation in draft board when Rangers make their 1st pick is Vaakanainen, Ikonen and Vesalainen are all available for Rangers who you'll choose and why?
Heiskanen.
I'd probably take Ikonen of the three. I think the best pick in our draft range that is Finnish may be Jokiharju. We need a puck moving RHD. What do you think of him?
This is a trick question. We will be selecting Brännström with our first round pick.
What then if Brännström and Jokiharju aren't available?.
Who you want in that situation if options are Vaakanainen ( LHD) Ikonen ( C / RW) and Vesalainen (LW / RW).
I do not accept a reality wherein we do not draft Brännström.