Rangers draft outlook being impacted by current NHL Playoffs
Let’s begin with this, no matter what happens in these playoffs the Rangers draft outlook went from pretty good to amazing the moment they won the #2 overall pick in the draft.
That being said, if the Tampa Bay Lightning do not come back from a 3-0 series hole, the hopes of that conditional 2019 draft pick becoming a first rounder went out the door really quick.
Playoffs and Draft Implications
If Tampa loses in round one or fails to win the Cup, the Rangers would not get the final pick in the first round (#31) and get the last pick of the 2nd round (#62).
The Rangers will pick again in the 1st round, 22nd overall thanks to the trade of Kevin Hayes. Nothing that happens here in these playoffs will change that.
Another one to keep an eye on is Mats Zuccarello and the Dallas Stars. Currently the series is tied 1-1, but if Dallas gets to the third round and Zuccarello plays in half those games, then the Rangers will get a 1st round pick from Dallas. As it stands now, we hold Dallas’ 2nd round selection at 49. If all conditions are met, the Rangers would leap to 18th overall.
Quick Breakdown
Currently it appears the Rangers will likely have 2 first round picks at #2 and 22. If the slot machine were to pull all 7’s then a bonanza of picks would be 2,18,22,31.
Ultimately, the fact that the Rangers essentially won the lottery by being able to draft the only 2 franchise players in it, makes everything mentioned above a simple cherry atop the most delicious cake.
Editor’s Note: Mea Culpa, I failed to look at the implications of where you lose in the playoffs, so the info above was incorrect in some scenarios. Please see Monty’s comment below.
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