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Draft 2022 NHL Draft and Undrafted Free Agents Thread

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With the frozen four this weekend we'll see the final group of potential free agents. The top ones are:

Ben Meyers -- Center -- Minnesota. I'm sure the Rangers are interested but their name has not been one that has publicly been linked as a front runner for him.

Jake Livingstone -- Right Defense -- Minnesota State. He is rumored to be going back to college for another year.

Nick Blackenshp -- Right Defense -- Michigan

Julian Napravnik -- Right Wing -- Minnesota State

Dryden McKay -- Goalie -- Minnesota State. He is a Hobey Baker finalist along with Meyers and Bobby Brink, Denver forward and Philadelphia draft pick. McKay has set all kinds of NCAA goalie records. But I was listening to a recent Chris Peters podcast and he listed three concerns. First, Minnesota State is in a weak CCHA division and this may have inflated McKay's performance. Second, Minnesota State plays a very tight defensive system limiting the high danger shots McKay has to face. Finally, McKay is listed as 6'0", meaning he may be smaller at a time when teams are looking for bigger goalies. We know that the Rangers were publicly associated with three free agent goalies, two in the NCAA and one in the CHL and struck out on all three. So the team clearly was looking for a goalie. McKay, with whatever limitations he has could be their last chance for a North American free agent goalie.

There are a few other potential free agents who have not yet been signed, perhaps because they are waiting to see the fallout from the frozen four free agents. These include: Ethan Frank, RW, Western Michigan, ranked 7 by Chris Peters and 15 by Corey Pronman; Parker Ford, Center, Providence, ranked 8 by Chris Peters and 17 by Corey Pronman; and Riese Gabor, listed as an honorable mention (not in top ten) by Chris Peters and ranked 11 by Corey Pronman. And former Michigan goalie, Strauss Mann, who played in Sweden this year, also is potentially available. He played in Sweden because he couldn't get an NHL contract last year but he reportedly had an excellent year in Sweden, and played for the US Olympic team this year.

The Rangers have one more contract it can give out for 2021-2022 but could sign a player to an ATO for the rest of this year and and NHL contract for next year.
 
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Ranger Ric said:
With the frozen four this weekend we'll see the final group of potential free agents. The top ones are:

Ben Meyers -- Center -- Minnesota. I'm sure the Rangers are interested but their name has not been one that has publicly been linked as a front runner for him.

Jake Livingstone -- Right Defense -- Minnesota State. He is rumored to be going back to college for another year.

Nick Blackenshp -- Right Defense -- Michigan

Julian Napravnik -- Right Wing -- Minnesota State

Dryden McKay -- Goalie -- Minnesota State. He is a Hobey Baker finalist along with Meyers and Bobby Brink, Denver forward and Philadelphia draft pick. McKay has set all kinds of NCAA goalie records. But I was listening to a recent Chris Peters podcast and he listed three concerns. First, Minnesota State is in a weak CCHA division and this may have inflated McKay's performance. Second, Minnesota State plays a very tight defensive system limiting the high danger shots McKay has to face. Finally, McKay is listed as 6'0", meaning he may be smaller at a time when teams are looking for bigger goalies. We know that the Rangers were publicly associated with three free agent goalies, two in the NCAA and one in the CHL and struck out on all three. So the team clearly was looking for a goalie. McKay, with whatever limitations he has could be their last chance for a North American free agent goalie.

There are a few other potential free agents who have not yet been signed, perhaps because they are waiting to see the fallout from the frozen four free agents. These include: Ethan Frank, RW, Western Michigan, ranked 7 by Chris Peters and 15 by Corey Pronman; Parker Ford, Center, Providence, ranked 8 by Chris Peters and 17 by Corey Pronman; and Riese Gabor, listed as an honorable mention (not in top ten) by Chris Peters and ranked 11 by Corey Pronman. And former Michigan goalie, Strauss Mann, who played in Sweden this year, also is potentially available. He played in Sweden because he couldn't get an NHL contract last year but he reportedly had an excellent year in Sweden, and played for the US Olympic team this year.

The Rangers have one more contract it can give out for 2021-2022 but could sign a player to an ATO for the rest of this year and and NHL contract for next year.
Click to expand...



I hope the Rangers sign Julian Napravnik RW Parker Ford RW C and Nick Poisson LW RW

Parker Ford plays C and RW and he would fit a need. He reminds me of Ryan Callahan. Those players are good to have.



Julian Napravnik Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Julian Napravnik, a hockey player from Hessen, Germany born May 5 1997 who was active from 2016 to 2024.
www.hockeydb.com


Parker Ford Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Parker Ford, a hockey player from Wakefield, RI born Jul 20 2000 who was active from 2017 to 2024.
www.hockeydb.com


Nicholas Poisson Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Nicholas Poisson, a hockey player from Vancouver, BC born Aug 15 2001 who was active from 2018 to 2024.
www.hockeydb.com
 
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Usually I try to stay somewhat up to date on things, I know I saw a couple updated early March rankings... I'm not sure how I missed Button's late March rankings though. Bunch of guys who were really flying under the radar starting to get some recognition. A couple of guys talked about here like Bel Belluz and Goyette who shot up to the mid teens. Good for Kyrou's brother, I was really hoping he'd stay under the radar. Its like he was an afterthought for damn near the whole season. I rarely even saw the dude ranked anywhere now he's 35. Firkus was another one all over the place, now sitting at 15. A number of interesting names that he dropped to the 2nd round, Isaac Howard, Seamus Casey, Filip Mesar, Jack Hughes, etc...

Who knows how things really shake out come draft day.. should we have a 1st round pick though it'll be exciting to be a Rangers fan. Buttons dropped Brad Lambert all the way to 27 and Conor Geekie to 26. Between those 2, Bel Belluz and Goyette I'd say there's a real possibility we could land a high end center prospect, even if it takes moving up a few spots. Button with Frank Nazar at 14 is the homerun swing to me. High motor guy, high end skill, that's 100% the type of player I'd move up for
 
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A few UDFA updates.

The Ben Meyers watch is on. According to Mike Russo today in the Athletic he is going to start meet with teams and despite other reports he has not cut down his list. Most teams are involved.

Michigan defenseman Nick Blackenship signs with Columbus.

Minnesota State Dryden McKay wins the Hobey Baker. Michael Russo says the Wild is interested but maybe on an AHL contract. There seem to be lots of doubts about him that I noted above.

Finally, Ohio State freshman forward, Georgi Merkulov, who appeared to be going back to school, may be signing with Boston. He lead Ohio State in scoring.

 
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Ranger Ric said:
A few UDFA updates.

The Ben Meyers watch is on. According to Mike Russo today in the Athletic he is going to start meet with teams and despite other reports he has not cut down his list. Most teams are involved.

Michigan defenseman Nick Blackenship signs with Columbus.

Minnesota State Dryden McKay wins the Hobey Baker. Michael Russo says the Wild is interested but maybe on an AHL contract. There seem to be lots of doubts about him that I noted above.

Finally, Ohio State freshman forward, Georgi Merkulov, who appeared to be going back to school, may be signing with Boston. He lead Ohio State in scoring.

Click to expand...


You mean Blankenburg, right?
 
596EC194-6697-4A20-BA7A-16B9E8B00556.jpeg
596EC194-6697-4A20-BA7A-16B9E8B00556.jpeg


 
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bobbop said:
Re: Meyers...The Rangers have a great story to tell, a potential place available in their lineup next season and a good history recruiting college free agents. I'd give Drury a punchers chance to pull this off.
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Trade Chytil for assets and replacing him with Meyers is the move IMO.

For Meyers, the example to look at here is Kevin Hayes. Of course nothing is a guarantee for success but damn, Hayes really laid the groundwork for what Meyers wants to achieve. Back in 2014, the Rangers bought out Brad Richards and Hayes just walked into the line up day 1.
 
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Mac n Gs said:
Trading Chytil for assets to replace him with an older player with no NHL experience and one ok year of college hockey production is actually a terrible idea and should never be the move IMO
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If anything he'd be closer to Khodorenko and Richards both of whom are currently bottom-liners in the AHL. Good thing we didn't make room for them when they signed. B. Richards / K Hayes is a terrible analogy to this situation.
 
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Amazing Kreiderman said:
Trade Chytil for assets and replacing him with Meyers is the move IMO.

For Meyers, the example to look at here is Kevin Hayes. Of course nothing is a guarantee for success but damn, Hayes really laid the groundwork for what Meyers wants to achieve. Back in 2014, the Rangers bought out Brad Richards and Hayes just walked into the line up day 1.
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We aren't in the running are we?
 
kovazub94 said:
If anything he'd be closer to Khodorenko and Richards both of whom are currently bottom-liners in the AHL. Good thing we didn't make room for them when they signed. B. Richards / K Hayes is a terrible analogy to this situation.
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Khoderenko has been picking it up lately. If he finishes strong and has a good season next year, say .6-.7ppg, he could be in line for a lower line depth role. He was always touted as a 2-way guy.

He is 8th on the team in points, and has 10 points in his last 14 games.

I believe he was playing more of a depth role earlier in the season.
 
NYR Viper said:
Khoderenko has been picking it up lately. If he finishes strong and has a good season next year, say .6-.7ppg, he could be in line for a lower line depth role. He was always touted as a 2-way guy.

He is 8th on the team in points, and has 10 points in his last 14 games.

I believe he was playing more of a depth role earlier in the season.
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So you're saying the Rangers should've opened a roster spot for him two seasons ago?
 
kovazub94 said:
So you're saying the Rangers should've opened a roster spot for him two seasons ago?
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Not at all, was just saying Khoderenko has been playing better lately.

Even if Meyers tops out as Khoderenko, that's okay.

The Rangers 3C spot really is a pretty attractive landing spot for pretty much anyone. Any player who wants to rebuild their value and play on a winning team in a 1st class organization. It may not be 'easy' enough for Meyers to get minutes but I could see someone like Colin White, if he were to get bought out, being interested.
 
Amazing Kreiderman said:
Trade Chytil for assets and replacing him with Meyers is the move IMO.

For Meyers, the example to look at here is Kevin Hayes. Of course nothing is a guarantee for success but damn, Hayes really laid the groundwork for what Meyers wants to achieve. Back in 2014, the Rangers bought out Brad Richards and Hayes just walked into the line up day 1.
Click to expand...

Move Chytil to wing and profit.
 
Amazing Kreiderman said:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafrenière
Panarin-Copp-Kakko
Othmann-Meyers-Chytil
Motte-Rooney-Goodrow
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This probably isn’t the right thread for this but Kakko is such a weird fit. I don’t like him on any of those lines. Don’t think he is a great fit anywhere. Still not convinced he is a good match with Panarin or Lafrenier. Not quick enough to play with Kreider and Zibanejad. Not trying to neg Kakko but I still have no clue where he fits into this team.

But yeah if you can get Meyers in, you do it and figure out the rest later.
 
Send the private jet to go pick him up and give him the First Class tour of NYC
 
Savant said:
This probably isn’t the right thread for this but Kakko is such a weird fit. I don’t like him on any of those lines. Don’t think he is a great fit anywhere. Still not convinced he is a good match with Panarin or Lafrenier. Not quick enough to play with Kreider and Zibanejad. Not trying to neg Kakko but I still have no clue where he fits into this team.

But yeah if you can get Meyers in, you do it and figure out the rest later.
Click to expand...

We don't know Kakko's fit yet because we haven't seen him start scoring yet.

Once he's putting up goals to go along with his shut down defending, he will be a fit on any line.

I like him with Panarin. Panarin is an elite passer. Let him feed Kakko. Panarin likes a guy who can defend. That's also Kakko.

I think Kreider needs to be told to move to his off wing and let Lafreniere play the left side where he's more comfortable.

Still think this above roster needs Lundkvist moved for a young center.
 
Kreider-Meyers-Lafrenière
Panarin-Copp-Kakko
Othmann-Zibanejad-Chytil
Motte-Rooney-Goodrow
 
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