Well, IIRC, Lindbom was ranked the 3rd highest goalie outside of North America and like 5th or 6th within all goalies eligible in the draft. He also turned in an excellent U-18 that year. It's not like he isn't good and he certainly isn't bad. There is potential. Despite being out nearly all year with an injury, he still managed a few games as the backup in Djurgardens. As an 18 year old in an all pro league, that's great news!!
With that said, he definitely was taken earlier than expected. But compared to who we had as the next BPA, the Rangers thought differently. Benny likes his projects and there is definite potential with Lindbom. Like most prospects, it's up to them for proper development.
In regards to Knight, he definitely has 1st round talent. It would be unwise of the Rangers to use a 1st rounder, or even a 2nd rounder, on a goalie with potential studs like Shesterkin and Huska and good merit prospects like Wall and Lindbom in the system. Georgiev has established himself as an excellent backup and can turn into a stud in the NHL for years, as well. But with five goalies in the system, excluding Lundqvist, they could still use some depth at the position. This draft is an excellent draft to pick a keeper and with 10 picks, it's bound to happen. I just hope the Rangers use the top part of the draft to bring in some skill and depth at forward and possibly right defense. Use a later pick to select a keeper.
Projecting that Spencer Knight, Hunter Jones, Nolan Maier, Isaiah Saville, Dustin Wolf, Mads Sogaard and Ilya Konovalov will most likely be the goalies gone by the 3rd round, some names I'd grab later on include Hugo Alnefelt, Roman Basran, Colten Ellis, Taylor Gauthier, Ethan Haider, Petr Kochetkov, Amir Miftakhov, Trent Miner, Jasper Patrikainen, Lucas Rheyneuclaudes, Cameron Rowe, Roope Taponen, and Matteus Ward.
