The NHL Entry Draft is encroaching and shaping up to be a transformative couple of days for the rebuilding New York Rangers. In it, the team owns ten selections—including three picks in the opening round—and has been described as being “open for business” regarding its willingness to trade. In the immediate wake of the trade-deadline liquidation, talk of improving the torn down team has been a front-burner issue for general manager Jeff Gorton, who expects to be active in trade talks between now and the first night of the draft.
With a new head coach and his “in your face” philosophy on the way, one name that might prove especially useful as the Blueshirts enter the first full season since their decision to retool is Ryan O’Reilly.