I’m no scout, in fact, I’m an extraordinarily casual observer of all this. I don’t have a “rank” per se but my early Rangers-related takeaways would be:
1) I really hope Askarov and Drysdale go early. Before we pick. Hey, doesn’t New Jersey need a goalie?
2) I don’t think I see the argument for Byfield over Lafreniere, if there’s even a credible one to be made. I like Byfield but I’m not as in love with him as I thought I might be for a top end center that I’ve been screaming for the Rangers to acquire for two decades.
3) I really like both Holtz and Raymond and if I’m the Rangers sitting at 7 or 8 I might be targeting one of those guys in a trade up or praying that they fall.
4) I like Rossi more than Perfetti.
5) I like Lundell but he does not seem like a star but rather a solid piece. The Rangers still need another sure star to put with Kakko and Panarin (and maybe Kravtsov/Chytil).
6) I like Stutzle too but not sure I like him more than Holtz or Raymond. He was an early target of mine when he was much further down the draft board. For example I would have grabbed him at 7 or 8 and felt I stole him when his stock was lower. Now that some resources have him at 3 behind Byfield and Lafreniere? Not sure about that.
7) Trading up would be a main objective, as the Rangers have a surplus of quality players in their pipeline, too many, in fact, especially on defense, and it’s time to turn some of that surplus into a top end player or prospect.
My overall rough feeling on what I’d want if I was the Rangers?
- Lafrieniere (and worth trading up for if the opportunity presented)
- Byfield (not worth trading up for given the likely price and that id rather pay less to move up for others)
- Holtz/Raymond - worth actively attempting to trade up for if I’m at 7 or 8 and that would be my plan in fact
- Stutzle if he’s there or if the cost to trade up isn’t prohibitive
- If Im stuck at 7-8 and these guys are gone, I’d probably look at Rossi then Lundell. Don’t love Perfetti. Can’t explain why.
Finally, if they value trying to win and squeak into the playoffs instead of one final sell off to get one of these draft studs, I’ll be a bit upset. Adding one more piece like Stutzle, Raymond or Holtz should kinda be top priority. Will make this team loaded for the future with top end talent comparable to Washington in its heyday (absent an all-timer in Ovechkin, perhaps).