A busy day in Chicago for the Rangers' high-command. GM Jeff Gorton earlier traded Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta to Arizona for defenseman Anthony DeAngelo and Arizona's first-round draft choice (7th overall).
With the trade, NY had the 7th overall and the 21st overall picks in the first-round.
Draft floor trade rumors had swirled that the Rangers had offered the Dallas Stars both the 7th and 21st picks along with Marc Staal for the 3rd overall pick that Dallas owned.
NY wasn't alone in coveting that pick. Las Vegas also looked to move up in the draft.
Stationed at 6th, one pick before NY, Golden Knights' GM George McPhee was seen chatting with Jim Nill, his Dallas counterpart, about moving up to the third pick.
The first two picks
Owned by New Jersey and Philadelphia and they netted Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier.
Nico Hichier went first overall to New Jersey.
Nolan Patrick went second overall to Philadelphia.
The number three pick was wide open, and the names most discussed were: Cale Makar (defense), Gabriel Vilardi (center), and Miro Heiskanen (defense).
Rumor was, that if New York traded up, they would select Makar.
Dallas kept the pick and selected Miro Heiskanen.
It looks like the Rangers would have to wait until 7th to make their selection.
Colorado picked Cale Makar fourth overall. It looks like Rangers won't get their guy.
Canucks called Elias Peterson fifth overall.
Las Vegas Golden Knights selected Cody Glass sixth overall.
And finally, the Ny Rangers, with the 7th overall slot took Lias Andersson, a center.
From the HV 71 Swedish team, Andersson was picked to replace the loss of both Derek Stepan and Oscar Lindberg and gives the Rangers some viable depth down the middle.
They will pick again in the 21st overall slot.
At 8th Buffalo drafted Casey Mittelstadt.
9th, Red Wings took, Michael Rasmussen.
10th, Panthers selected, Owen Tippett.
11th, Kings, drafted, Gabriel Vilardi.
12th, Hurricanes took, Martin Necas.
13th, Golden Knights called, Nick Suzuki.
14th, Lightning called, Callan Foote.
15th, Golden Knights went for, Erik Brannstrom
16th, Flames selected, Jussi Valimaki.
17th, Maple Leafs went for, Timothy Liljegren.
18th, Bruins selected, Urho Vaakanainen.
19th, Sharks, drafted, Joshua Norris.
20th, Blues selected, Robert Thomas.
21st, Rangers picked, Filip Chytil (center). A first-round draft picks that most know nothing about from the Czech Republic.
22nd, Oilers selected, Kailer Yamamoto.
23rd, Coyotes, picked, Pierre-Olivier Joseph.
24th, Jets selected, Kristian Vesalainen.
25th, Canadiens selected, Ryan Poehling.
26th, Blackhawks traded to Dallas, so Stars took, Jake Oettinger.
27th, Blues traded to Flyers, so Philadelphia took, Morgan Frost.
28th, Senators selected, Shane Bowers.
29th, Stars traded to Chicago, so Blackhawks drafted, Henri Jokiharju.
30th, Predators made, Eeli Tolvanen their pick.
31st, Penguins traded to Blues, so St. Louis selected, Klim Kostin.
The Rangers selected two centermen with their picks, and neither will be ready for NHL play for at least a year or so. Draft grade so far would be a C-, so hopefully, tomorrow in Rounds 2-7 the Rangers high-command will do better.
