GDT: NEW YORK RANGERS WIN NHL DRAFT LOTTERY

[Edge]

At this point, do you wish we would have been able to draft Hughes instead of Kakko?

I love Kakko, but I always wanted Hughes over him. Not much as changed there and it exists somewhat seperate from what happened tonight.

But it is almost sick to imagine.

 

[Ghost of jas]

One of the things I said about Hughes last year, and a reason I had him ahead of Kakko, was his ability to raise the play of everyone around him. I talked about how lines fall into place around him, match-ups fall into line around him, everything shifts because he is on the team.

Lafreniere has that exact same ability, and then some.

If this kid fulfills his potential, his presence will resonate through the entire roster.

This team got much tougher to play against today.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I think Laf is better than Kakko but tbh I don’t think the difference will THAT big.

Let’s not undersell Kakko now that we have a shiny new toy.

 

[Baby Punisher]

It sucks that he isn't here trying to grow into a Mike Ricci role.

How dare you sully the name of the great Mike Ricci by comparing him to that load. That being said, I totally get what you are saying.

 

[mas0764]

I think Laf is better than Kakko but tbh I don’t think the difference will THAT big.

Let’s not undersell Kakko now that we have a shiny new toy.

Yeah I think that is happening a bit.

 

[Edge]

There's still a chance.

I believe he's signed overseas for next season. Not sure about any escape clauses.

But, I gotta be honest with you, even in interviews, it's hard to know where that kid's head is.

 

[Baby Punisher]

I had been thinking earlier how if Andersson was the player the Rangers thought he would be, they wouldn’t have been in a position to win this draft lottery.

I am wondering how much more time the Rangers are going to keep Chytil around. There are flashes there.....I don't know if it's top 6 talent long term.

 

[Edge]

How dare you sully the name of the great Mike Ricci by comparing him to that load. That being said, I totally get what you are saying.

Sadly, there are a lot of similarities. The difference is that Andersson may or may not see himself that way, and frankly, something is just off there.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Congratulations Rangers from the Blues board! I wanted you guys to get the 1OA!

good luck the rest of the way.

 

[Ghost of jas]

I think Laf is better than Kakko but tbh I don’t think the difference will THAT big.

Let’s not undersell Kakko now that we have a shiny new toy.

I’m not diminishing Kakko, but Laf strikes me as the future leader of this group.

 

[New York RKY]

So did this actually happen today?

 

[bobbop]

You know what’s great about today? All the big time posters are here (except @RangerBoy ) no one is pissing in anyone’s cereal and we’re all having a great time. Most fun on the boards since 2014,

 

[QJL]

Kakko is a very nice player and should be an all-star at least five seasons in his career. He could be an A captain as well in the future. Lafreniere could be the next Brian Leetch with a slice of Messier, the player that defines an era and should wear the C.

Only 13 current players have played in 5 All Star games. Maybe 25 active players will hit that total in their career. Kakko will be a great player, but 5 all star games might be a stretch, especially in the new format.

Lafreniere though? How about 10+? Book it.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

I think Laf is better than Kakko but tbh I don’t think the difference will THAT big.

Let’s not undersell Kakko now that we have a shiny new toy.

I think this might help Kakko in the sense that he might be more under the radar now a bit and won't have that pressure to perform based on his draft status.

 

[Joey Bones]

I'll be honest, I closed my computer after HF collapsed so I couldn't post my reaction/insight. But holy shit what a rush!!

I truly can't believe this happened!! Lafreniere is an incredible player. One of two recipients of the Jean Beliveau award for CHL MVP (the other being Crosby). NYR actually will have their very own, homegrown superstar. I'm still in shock.

They need to trade for a center now....

 

[17futurecap]

 

[RGY]

There is really no discussion for me, you draft AL with the #1 and dont think twice. He is the type of player that can bring the most out of his linemates, similar to Panarin. You worry about the center position after you make your 1st pick.

We have a ton of assets to have some maneuverability. Maybe we can get into the top 10 with Buffalo being a desperate team trying to make Eichel happy. Create a package that starts with Strome + +. And/or we use the later 1st to try and move up.

Ideally they find a way to walk away with Lundell.

And then from there, do they pivot and replace Strome with another Center. Nugent-Hopkins? Can they play that angle? Could Lundell step in this year? Does Kreider shift to RW? Do they move Buchnevich for a more north-south player even tho Buch has transformed his game a bit, becoming more physically involved. Josh Anderson? Do they re-sign Fast? I’d love to move Smith to a cap floor team. Buyout Staal. Sign Dillon. Just gona have fun with it for now;

Panarin-Zib-Kakko
Lafreniere-RNH-Kreider
Chytil-Lundell-Buch
Lemmy-Howden-Gauthier

Possible factors/extras; Fast, Lias, DiGi, Kravtsov, Barron

Do they package Buch with Georgiev to get a better forward or a top 4 LD? Don’t think Lias is part of their plans so he could be part of a package. But moving onto D:

Dillon-Trouba
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-DeAngelo
Hajek

Igor
Hank


Lots of decisions to be made. But so many assets to work with.

Edit: alternative to RNH would be paying a heavy price for Eichel. Going all in. But I am very weary of making that move right now with the defense still working itself out. Youre going to move a lot of assets for one player with a high cap hit while your defense is not ready just yet. End up looking like Toronto altho with a better outlook in Net and the D pipeline imo. Money could be better spread out with more calculated moves and you keep more assets. But at the same time not everyone can play.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Come on back Lias, you can be our fourth line center on a superteam.

I really want Lias to get another shot.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Kinda unique IMO that this kid doesn’t have to come in and be “the guy” from Day 1.

Although i’m not sure what to think of the LW log jam.

 

[Rorschach]

Only 13 current players have played in 5 All Star games. Maybe 25 active players will hit that total in their career. Kakko will be a great player, but 5 all star games might be a stretch, especially in the new format.

Lafreniere though? How about 10+? Book it.

I agree, I’m definitely talking about max potential.

 

[Thirty One]

I believe he's signed overseas for next season. Not sure about any escape clauses.

But, I gotta be honest with you, even in interviews, it's hard to know where that kid's head is.

He was signed here for next season first lol

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I’m not diminishing Kakko, but Laf strikes me as the future leader of this group.

I think Laf is def the Captain type between the two of em but I think their level of play will be relatively similar. Both guys who could hit that 90-100 peak in their primes, at least IMO.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Kinda unique IMO that this kid doesn’t have to come in and be “the guy” from Day 1.

Although i’m not sure what to think of the LW log jam.

yeah, very rare (if ever) that a #1 pick can come to a team and not have to play the savior.

 

[Edge]

I think Laf is better than Kakko but tbh I don’t think the difference will THAT big.

Let’s not undersell Kakko now that we have a shiny new toy.

I think you could be looking at a 10-15 point difference if both guys really hit their stride.

I think Kakko definitely has 90 point potential. I'd say Lafreniere's top-end potentially eclipses the century mark. So there is a gap potential gap there.

Now, if people want to compare Lafreniere to Crosby or McDavid, that's a recipe for disappointment.

 

[Rorschach]

So now all you guys need to do is trade two of your LW prospects for a good center prospect, then acquire Taylor Hall retroactively, now that you’ve won the lottery.