2010 NHL Draft: Recapping Rangers' Picks in Day Two
The New York Rangers were very busy Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles, where they completed rounds two through seven of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The only round in which they did not have a pick in was the third, but even still managed to walk away with some solid prospects that will attend prospects camp within the next few weeks back in New York. Below is a recap of the Blueshirts' day two at the Staples Center.
Round 2, 40th overall: Christian Thomas (RW, 5-9, 165 lbs)
Scouting Report: ...His bread and butter of going hard to the net is supported by excellent speed and skating skills (what else would you expect of Stumpy’s [Steve Thomas'] son) and a nose for goal. Coupled with decent hands, a high hockey IQ, and cannon shot, Thomas has the potential to be a killer offensive force in junior the next couple of seasons.
...Christian has a chippy edge and has shown he isn’t afraid to throw around what mass he has and furthermore he works hard on the puck all the time and knows how to make himself open. You could characterize Thomas’ play as doing the simple things well, doing them consistently and doing them with fast, hard skating.
Round 4, 100th overall: Andrew Yogan (C, 6-3, 202 lbs)
Scouting Report: In 63 games for the Erie Otters, Yogan scored 25 goals and added 30 assists for 55 points while picking up 97 penalty minutes. Yogan played for Team Cherry at the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game, where he made it onto the score sheet from a fight with Team Orr's Matt MacKenzie.
Yogan has a big frame and skates well, but lacks the skill to be a top-six forward at the NHL level. A better passer than a shooter, but he chooses to shoot a lot. Work ethic is an issue, as is hockey sense.
Round 5, 130th overall: Jason Wilson (LW, 6-2, 205 lbs)
Scouting Report: The Rangers have taken Jason Wilson of the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL with their 5th round, #130 overall. Wilson put up a line of 17-18-35 with 101 PIMs in 46 GP. Wilson is 6’2, 205 lbs.
Round 6, 157th overall: Jesper Fasth (RW, 6-0, 176 lbs)
Scouting Report: If there is a more appropriately named player in the draft, we haven’t met him. Fasth is a lightning-fast skater who bursts to top speed in just a few steps and can really back defenders up when he goes straight at them. The problems come when he has to handle the puck at top speed or finish off plays on offense, and is why he’s not ranked among the top prospects in this class
Round 7, 190th overall: Randy McNaught (RW, 6-5, 221 lbs)
Scouting Report: Randy McNaught, with his 6-5, 221 lb frame, is a pure bruiser that knows how to use his body. He has run into trouble in the past while playing in the WHL with suspensions, but other than that he is a clean gritty player with a whole lot of size. In fact, he has dropped the gloves and fought Rangers' first round draft pick, Dylan McIlrath, in the past.
Also, the Rangers traded prospect defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti to the Carolina Hurricanes for draft picks. Details on that trade can be found on my site here.
