The Rangers’ selection of Alexis Lafreniere first overall was all but a formality Tuesday night, as the pick had effectively been made the second the ping pong ball revealed the organization’s logo at the August 10th Draft Lottery.
What the Rangers would do at 22nd overall was a total mystery, and I’m not sure, for better or worse, than anyone expected that the Rangers would trade up three spots, surrendering the 72nd overall pick in the process in order to draft right defenseman Braden Schneider at 19th overall.
We have to analyze this in parts.